North Canterbury

Steve Terry
Fish & Game Officer

Over the last week we have again seen steady catches of salmon in the mid reaches of the Rakaia from SH1 up to the White Post in the gorge, however the lower reaches seem to have been relatively quiet. The Rakaia River mouth has not been favourable for anglers this season, with salmon heading straight through and upriver anglers are reporting more success stories than those fishing the mouth. Similarly the mid reaches of the Waimakariri seem to be yielding a few salmon but I have heard very little from anywhere else. Both of these rivers should be in good condition this weekend and with the season drawing to a close over the next few weeks, anglers should make the most of the good fishing opportunities still available.

Earlier this week Fish & Game released 50 rainbow trout into the Groynes Lakes. Another 50 were released 10 days prior to that, and there should be a good chance of success for junior anglers aged under 17 this weekend.

Fishing has gone quiet in the high country lakes over the last month. Boat anglers at Lake Coleridge are reporting reduced catches, which is to be expected at this time of year as the salmon school up and enter spawning mode, however shore anglers at both Coleridge and Georgina have started to pick up a few more rainbow trout in recent weeks.

Next weekend, the 9th and 10th of April, Fish & Game are holding their first fin-clipping day at the Peacock Springs salmon and trout enhancement facility in Harewood. Fish & Game will supply volunteers with a BBQ lunch and drinks. Volunteers are invited to meet at the gate to the Isaac Quarry on McLeans Island Road at 9am. To get there turn off Johns Road into McLeans Island Road. Drive past the Isaac Construction Main Office entry until you see the second entrance about 3km later on your right. There will be a sign which reads ‘Salmon Shop.’ At 9.05am volunteers will be escorted to the rearing facility.

Fish & Game opened the hatchery in November 2010. We would like to recognise the generosity of the Isaac Wildlife Trust and in particular, Lady Diana Isaac in making the facility available to Fish & Game free of charge.

Good luck if you’re heading out this weekend.

Central South Island

The salmon season has now finished in CSI and by all accounts it has been up and down with most of the recognised season fishing effort hampered by the constant Nor West rain events. For me it was a season I would rather forget with only one fish hooked and lost in November frustration crept in and then desperation in this last week, all to no avail!

Despite the Rangitata being largely unfishable for most of the summer anglers there still managed nearly 300 fish on the south side of the mouth. The Opihi and Orari consistently produced fish for their loyal anglers and a flurry of salmon activity was also seen at the Ashburton early in the season. Fish from the Mckinnons Hatchery were also caught in good numbers this season at the Orari, Opihi and of course the Rangitata.

So with the end of the salmon season comes a change in focus for anglers to the last month of trout angling in our rivers. On a recent excursion to a small local stream I found it full of trout in the 1-1.5kg bracket. The first pool I came to had four fish in residence supping from the top. I thought to myself these are going to be easy how wrong I was! For about two hours effort and fishing to about a dozen fish I only landed one and lost one. The problem was they were willow grubbing and Murphy made sure I only had one imitation in my box which I lost on the second fish. Nothing else would tempt them so if your heading out make sure you have a few (more than one!) in your fly box.

All rivers in the region should be clear and fishable this weekend with the Waitaki River being the exception as it still carries colour from the summer rain events.

Tight Lines
Hamish Stevens