Steve Terry
Fish and Game Officer

Over the last week we had a few flurries of salmon come into the main rivers. With the calm settled weather we have seen, the sea has flattened off around the river mouths and Monday saw over 20 salmon landed at the Rakaia Mouth, mostly on the favorable north side. There have been a few caught there each day since. Sunday saw 5 caught at the Hurunui Mouth between a dozen or so anglers and has probably seen the most consistent catches this season given the relatively low number of anglers fishing there each day. The Waimakariri is starting to see a few caught between McIntosh’s Rocks and the mouth each day and should continue to improve over the next month as it generally fishes better in the later half of the season.

With the warm, calm weather we had had over the last couple of weeks the rivers are becoming very low and clear. Upriver fishing has become challenging with first and last light the best bet, with light tackle preferably.

High country trout anglers are also enjoying the good river and weather conditions we are experiencing and forecasts for the weekend look great. There are still reports coming in of trophy trout caught in the Hurunui and Waiau headwaters, having fattened up on mice in recent months, although these trout are getting wary of the increased fishing pressure this has created. Lake anglers should note that this warm weather should be turning the cicadas on and the hottest part of the day is the best time to take advantage of this.

Good luck for the weekend.

Finally all salmon rivers are fishable! I have just got back from leave and before I left I was wondering how long the rivers would stay dirty for. It seemed rivers would just about be perfect and then we would get another Nor West downpour thwarting angler plans. Salmon fishing has therefore been difficult but if the long range forecast is correct we shouldn’t see any more rain for sometime.

Even when water has been fishable the Rangitata has not really fired apart from a run early in the season there have only been a few days when fish have been found in abundance by anglers. Some of our smaller rivers have been quietly producing fish such as the Orari, Opihi and Ashburton although the Opihi would be the pick of the bunch at the moment.

Early morning at the Opihi Mouth

Some lowland rivers are getting dangerously low and as such trout usually become more difficult to catch. Careful presentations are needed to secure these fish as by now they will have seen a few hopeful anglers. Often fish that are wary by day but let their guard down at night so fishing at this time can be productive. High country waters would be my pick for the weekend with good weather predicted. The Tekapo should fish well after receiving a recent fresh which should have knocked the didymo back somewhat. I always find this time of year to be great for fly fishing, fewer anglers are about and trout suck down big bushy drys more readily.

Having wet the line six times already this season without so much as a touch I think I may have to venture out this weekend and see if I can’t find a willing salmon.

Tight lines

Hamish Stevens