Local whitebaiters were happy with ‘‘a feed’’ or ‘‘a pound here and there’’ as low tides and river levels have made the season unremarkable so far. Clusters of cribs around the Balclutha river’s mouths proclaim the district’s heritage and expertise in naturally harvesting the ocean’s spring windfall.

Bird watching . . . Joy Mills spotted a kamana -crested grebe- from her stand within sight of Kaitangata.
The kamana crested grebe.

No cribbin’ . . . Locals (from left) Jayden Morrell, Bradon Maguire and Brady Clement were happy to share the premium protein.
Net gain . . . Brady Clement watches Jayden Morrell take his turn checking their net, the very first in line from the Kaitangata mouth of Te Mata Au.