However, locals are keeping tight-lipped about their weighty catches from the waters of the rivers around the isolated West Coast town.
An Otago Daily Times photographer in Haast said whispers and smiling faces could be seen all around the area amid rumours of 100kg hauls of whitebait.
Down at the rivers, people could be seen carting 10-litre buckets full to the brim with silver gold.
The owner of the local dairy, who declined to be named, said she had sold out of whitebaiting bags.
"Once the season starts the whitebaiters have a stockpile, but they’ve run out and bought up all out stock," she said.
The only complaints anyone had was struggling to find space to store their hauls.
"I’ve even been asked by people to rent out my freezers — which we don’t do, unfortunately.
"I’ve heard it’s been a really good season.
"The biggest complaint is nobody has enough room for all the whitebait."
Finding anyone to speak about their catches was a hard task, many refusing to say anything, or simply supplying a bashful "it definitely might be" when asked if it was a bumper season.
The annual Haast Whitebait Festival is being held in the town today.
The West Coast season runs from September 1 to October 30.
