Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

Caddis flies have been prevalent during the last days of the season attracted to various walls and windows around the house by the electric lights. The sheer number reminding me of opportunities missed during the last days of the fishing season. Plans to fish the last day of the season went awry as did the balmy sun drenched days of the previous weeks. Replaced by cloud and cold winds, the day turned out to be far from ideal and not what I had envisaged as a fitting finale to the season. Since then a string of heavy frosts with morning temperatures down to minus 4c have signalled winter is here.

Of course many waters remain open, all the large high country lakes, hydro canals and from the 1st of June the lower reaches of larger Central South Island rivers. High country rivers, tarns and lagoons, irrigation ponds and races are closed to fishing.

Brown trout have started their spawning runs with the first 20 counted in the Aviemore Spawning Race on Wednesday. Salmon are migrating into the Hakataramea River and whereas last year salmon trapping was slow with a minimal catch, this year, in the first 2 weeks 35 adults have been captured and transported to the Waitaki River rearing complex operated by members of the Waitaki Riparian Enhancement Society. If the captures continue at the same rate the trap should be removed in a few days and later run fish will have unimpeded access to the whole of the Hakataramea River.

An aerial salmon count of the Waitaki River and tributaries is scheduled later this month. Presently the river remains low and surprisingly clear, if these conditions prevail through the count period an accurate count of fish and redds will be achievable. Water clarity often deteriorates in May negating salmon counts entirely or making the flight slower and the count more difficult.

The first salmon spawning surveys of upper Rangitata River have been completed and numbers are encouraging with the first count being the third best since 1997. In total there are 5 counts which continue through to the end of May. The spawning population this year is expected to exceed that of the previous season.

This will be the last fishing report for the 2011- 2012 season. A big thank you to anglers for your Emails and images and your continued interest in CSI’s wonderful fishery. Until the new season.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

With morning frosts beginning to bite the pile of logs in the wood shed looks pitifully small and I will need to spend sometime with the chainsaw preparing for the long nights ahead. I guess many have put their gear away until the spring arrives later in the year although Anzac day will provide an extra fishing day for some.

Of course there are those hardy souls who have the enthusiasm (and the insulated waders) to persist throughout the winter. During my piscatorial upbringing my father insisted that the winter was a time for the trout and that it was also a time for anglers to attend to the many chores that were neglected during the summer season. I totally agree, with the first part at least.

I have been talked into the odd foray on a still winter’s eve but it is always great to arrive home, walk indoors to be enveloped by warmth and ambience of the glowing log fire. Winter nights on the lake shore are dead quiet, all the fluffy animals are keeping warm somewhere and the birds are all perched with heads under wings waiting out the cold and the darkness. There’s not a lot happening in the dark in the middle of winter in several degrees below zero.

Not that I’m scared of the dark or the cold, I probably have the best cold weather garments you can buy. I work in the cold, I hunt in the cold. I expect cold when I hunt, and if a there’s work to be done you just work in the cold, but fishing, I don’t think so, and especially not during the hours of darkness.

Despite the lakes being open to fishing all year fishing pressure is light and this can only be a result of the temperature and short duration of daylight. Lake dwelling trout, especially browns appear to be quite lethargic when hooked and I guess they, like me, are affected by the temperature. One has to pick the day, lots of sunshine and no wind is good, but when the ice builds up in the rod rings, the pinkies are painfully cold, and your head’s full of “how to keep warm” ideas, that’s not fishing, that’s an ordeal!

The weather forecast indicates the weekend should be frosty but fine. River levels have changed little and despite the cooling conditions a fly caster of some experience told me that caddis and mayfly were appearing during the afternoon and evening and that trout were actively feeding resulting in him landing an impressive tally of 10 trout for his outing yesterday. The continuous optimum flows, a result of the wet season, certainly ensures aquatic productivity. With Lake Benmore refilled, normal flows have resumed in the Waitaki River and during the weekend the flow is predicted to be in the 250 to 350 cumec range.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

Central South Island’s regulation change to allow more salmon to spawn has not been popular with some and we have received reports of anglers targeting salmon during the month of April. An angler was apprehended taking salmon during a closed season and a prosecution is pending. Compliance checks by warranted staff will continue.

Good season or bad season for salmon? It depends on who you talk to. Someone asked the question, how is it that an experienced salmon angler can be out fished by a novice? What is it about salmon fishing that draws an angler to the river day after day without reward? Part of the answer may lie in the following. “The attraction of angling for all the ages of man, from the cradle to the grave, lies in its uncertainty. ‘Tis an affair of luck”. Henry Van Dyke, American author, poet and clergyman. 1852 – 1933.

Although we will know more in May after an aerial survey of spawning salmon in the Waitaki and its tributaries it appears there are presently more salmon in the Waitaki River compared with last year.

Most anglers will agree that the water clarity had a bearing on the number of fish hooked, especially above the tidal influence and in the upper river where visibility extended to approximately 3 metres. Lionel Gavin of “Flyrite”, a Dunedin fly fishing supplies outlet, may have found the answer to clear water fishing for salmon. Equipped with a fast sinking line on a #8 Sage TCR fly rod, on the last day of March, Lionel tied on a chartreuse tube fly and in the Waitaki River near the mouth of the Hakataramea caught his first (and last) salmon for the season.

Tube flies are common in Northern hemisphere waters but have received minimal interest in New Zealand. My interest in tube flies began after reading an article on how successful they were in the UK and in the USA. After tying some Scottish patterns and a couple of home grown inventions I tried them at the Waitaki River mouth where to my surprise they worked extremely well. Kahawai tore them to bits and in recognition of the hours spent building these unusual lures, there my interest in tube flies ended.

With the long weekend over and the traditional fishing season coming to an end many anglers will go into hunting mode as the game bird hunting season approaches. Tagging day is usually one month before opening day unless it falls on Easter weekend, which it has. Tagging day is this coming weekend on the 15th April.

The timely rainfall this week has given all rivers a boost which should induce salmon to move into spawning tributaries. This in my experience affects trout behaviour, those trout inhabiting salmon spawning waters are on red alert as their larger, cantankerous cousins move in and take over the neighbourhood. However it is also a time of opportunity, especially it seems for rainbow trout which accompany redd digging salmon. During ova deposition, not all the eggs land safely in the excavated gravel and a number are washed downstream where they intercepted by waiting trout.

A sought after food source, egg eating trout do so at their peril as salmon will attack any intruder, large or small, during their spawning activities. The large and conspicuous canine teeth are fair warning and capable of inflicting severe damage should a trout get too close. Usually the trout is too agile to get caught and after a short chase the salmon returns to the redd and the trout immediately return to their feeding position.

The trout, and there will be several of them, annoy the heck out of the salmon but they are tireless as are the salmon’s attempts to chase them off. Rainbow trout I have taken on ova imitations, the much maligned “glow bug”, have gorged themselves on lost ova and it is difficult to understand how they could consume one more egg, but they do.

The opportunity for anglers to “glow bug” is not often available unless salmon are on the job early, that is spawning in trout fishing waters before the season finishes at the end of April. With the exceptional flows in the regions smaller fisheries, if they are salmon spawning waters and if it is legal to fish for trout there, April could provide some exciting “bug fishing”.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

The salmon season is done for and I just scraped in with my limit of two on the second to last day of the season. One was rather small and fully confident that I would replace it with one of greater dimensions I released it. Several hours and two trout later I arrived at the conclusion that the salmon in the bag was the only one I would be taking home. A rather poor effort really, of course with only three outings one can’t expect much else.

However it satisfied the need to catch a salmon and also, I could now provide a positive response to those who asked if I had caught one, important in my line of work. One is supposed to be reasonably proficient at all methods of fishing, for all species.

Good fortune is variable. Last season I was giving salmon away, this year I could easily have been a thankful recipient of a generous and successful salmon angler. But as I said in my line of work one is presumed to be always successful and as a consequence offers of sports fish are rare. It’s catch it yourself or go without.

Today perhaps because of lesser numbers, salmon have a value much higher than ever before in my fishing experience. Farmed salmon can be purchased country wide however there is little comparison between the caged salmon and the wild sea run salmon in my opinion.

Despite the illegality of the trade, wild sea run salmon have always been of high value in the hospitality business. Black market salmon sales to hotels and restaurants was a lucrative business, the last “going rate” in the 70’s being one dollar per pound, good money back then. Warrants to search commercial premises were not difficult to obtain and searching freezers and commercial cool stores was a cold but common practice for us.

In one large freezer in the middle of Christchurch we seized about 7 or 8 salmon destined for an expensive eating house in the North Island. With the successful court proceedings over and the frozen evidence beginning to thaw the Acclimatisation Society’s secretary phone book in hand, thumbed through the list of retirement homes and chose some which we proceeded to in haste.

We knocked on the front door of a home for the aged and a little old lady appeared. The secretary introduced himself and informed the woman that we had salmon to give away would she like some. She said that would be wonderful or words to that effect and slipped away to fetch something to put the salmon in. The boss then suggested I go out to the vehicle and retrieve a couple of salmon.

I arrived back at the door struggling to maintain a grip on two large, slippery salmon weighing in the vicinity of 70lb (31kg) just as the little lady arrived holding out what I would call a “bread and butter plate”. We all had a good laugh. A salmon was gratefully accepted and I guess by the end of the week the home’s residents were hanging out for something other than salmon.

The Easter break provides the last extended warm weather fishing holiday of the season. Lake Benmore which attracts a large number of anglers is on track to be at normal levels by Good Friday, the Waitaki River however will remain at about 180 cumecs. Other well known trout waters still carry ideal flows and could be worth a visit over the next few days.

A month of the recognised fishing season remains on all rivers of the region. Salmon may not be targeted and fishing with gear usually associated with the catching of salmon is not permitted. Inevitably, salmon will take trout lures you may be using and if hooked they must they be released without harm immediately.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

Snow, hail and frosts remind me that winter is just around the corner, and with two days of the salmon season remaining it will be a toss up between the chain saw and the salmon rod. Hardly a competition really, I’ve assured my bride there will be lots of good weather ahead yet.

From all accounts the salmon are numerous and the catch rate has soared with some saying it is their best season for many years. Of course as happens with angling the word spreads and as a result the number of spoons hitting the water has increased ten fold. More gear in the water means more fish get caught. Time and surveys will tell if the season is a good one.

The Waitaki River at 180 cumecs looks very accessible however I doubt if it will make the task of securing a salmon upriver any easier. As most people will know the filling of Lake Benmore after the draw down is a slow exercise and one of the obvious results of the filling is the low flow in the river. A call to Meridian Control Centre established that the river is expected to remain in the 180 to 200 cumec range for the coming weekend. If you are not bewitched by salmon, the region’s trout rivers continue to maintain good flows, the best autumn flows seen for many years.

My first attempt to catch a salmon a few days ago resulted in a zero bag despite an interested salmon following my spinner to my feet on the first cast. One of the party stepped in beside me and on his first cast hooked and eventually landed a salmon, perhaps my salmon! Although salmon were content to track and observe retrieved spoon baits, none were silly enough to actually grab one.

On my second attempt in gin clear flows of the upper river I resorted to the techniques of some old fishermen I used to meet on the Waimakariri River in the late 60’s. Back then down sizing spinning gear and line was quite radical.
Salmon were larger then and fish in excess of 30lb (13 ½ kg) were not uncommon. Salmon reels were filled with very heavy monofilament and some optimistic anglers would use 50lb (22.6kg) breaking strain. The “tug boat hawser” ensured no fish ever broke the line however if the angler snagged an immovable, submerged object the resulting antics of him trying to break the line provided an extended period of amusement for those fishing nearby. Most used 28 to 30 lb line (approximately 12 ½ to 13 ½ kg) Salmon lures, “Z” spinners and ticers, came in one size, large. Upriver a lead weight and Colorado spoon was the tried and true gear to use. They all deceived fish, that is until the river became low and gin clear.

During the low flow periods the really keen salmon fisher would put away the big reel with the big line, on would go the lightweight tackle, with “mono” line as daring as 7kg. The lead and Colorado spoon popular in the slower water needed some modification. The blade was cut and filed smaller until it was no larger than a thumb nail. With the standard hook, rings and swivels the tiny blade looked incongruous but it did the job, not all the time, but it succeeded where gargantuan gear often failed.

So on my second attempt at catching a salmon this season, faced with low and clear water I decided to minimise my salmon fishing gear as demonstrated to me many years ago. I resurrected a fairly stout trout rod on which I mounted a trout reel filled with 4.5kg “mono”. A few kilometres downstream of Kurow, having little time and less patience to whittle a standard Colorado blade, I tied on a bibbed trout lure designed “to trigger a strike response in all species of sports fish” and dive to 5 metres, if one is to believe the manufacturers instructions.

It was a good, deep hole with virtually all the river flowing into it, an ideal resting place for salmon. Steeled for the inevitable stopping power of a sizeable “chinook”, I began, systematically to cast across the hole searching out all possible salmon lies. My specialised “deep diver” lure, irresistible to all species, would surely produce a fish. And it did! The trout just loved it! Ah well, it wasn’t all for nought, and there’s still a day and a half to go.

Hamish Stevens, Fish & Game

Early winter signs have arrived with the first frosts this week. For those of you not out chasing roaring stags there are good trout fishing opportunities available in the lowland rivers.

On a recent trip to a handy to Temuka river I found there were good numbers of large fish feeding well in the middle of the day. Most were nymphing however one fish, around 2kg, was supping little yellow willow grubs. In my experience these fish can be the most frustrating to fish to. I tied an imitation on and covered the fish several times.

Each time the fish broke the surface where I though my fly was and I struck thin air. On the last pass the fish moved and supped down another grub but wait my line tightened and as is my luck I missed the strike! If you are heading out this weekend make sure you carry a few willow grub imitations and a good level of patience.

On the salmon front the Rangitata is still producing a few fish at the mouth with fishing in the river itself producing the odd fish at first and last light. Salmon fishing in the river during the day can often be fruitless when it is this low and clear. Currently the river is running at 47 cumecs however some rain is predicted for the headwaters late Saturday that could put one last fresh through the river before the season closes on the 31st of March.

Lake Benmore has been slowly lowered over the last 2-3weeks weeks and reached the desired low level on the 21st March. This was so lake weed spraying and other maintenance could occur. Since the 22nd, Lake Benmore has been filling but to do this as quickly as possible the Waitaki River has been run at a low flow of 180 cumecs. This means crystal clear water and cagey salmon on the Waitaki. Early morning or late evenings are the best times to try for salmon in these conditions.

Don’t forget the Waitaki Riparian Enhancement Society Inc AGM to be held at the Glenavy Hall on Tuesday 27 March at 7:30. The guest speaker is Brian Ellwood from Meridian Energy will talk about the North Bank Tunnel project. Tight Lines

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

There is nothing more frustrating than a computer in a “go slow” mode. It brings out the worst in me and dropping it from a great height would have provided immense satisfaction, albeit temporarily. This is an apology and explanation for last weeks blank page, the first I can recall since the fishing reports began in 2004.

The regular falls of rain have created favourable river conditions throughout the region and the regular lifts in flow have benefitted anglers with a steady catch of salmon in rivers north of the Waitaki River. With only two weeks of salmon fishing season remaining it is for many “crunch time” and a bone fide excuse to spend more time on the river.

Salmon in the Waitaki River
The good people from the Glenavy Hotel inform me that the salmon catch in the lower Waitaki River has “taken off” and that the fish are being weighed in numbers that mirror last years catch. If the catch rate continues at its present rate it is believed it will surpass last years salmon harvest. Across the river, a spokesman for the North Camp residents claimed that so far they are having the best season for several years. A few fish are being caught at the river mouth but most are being taken upriver above the bridge.

Outdoor observations
I have been fortunate and able to escape the office desk to assist Cawthron Institute scientists with trout habitat mapping during a three day exercise. This involves collecting details on riparian and in-stream habitats over randomly selected sections of the stream. Although the weather patterns during the study were changeable, natural aquatic life cycles continue, wet of fine, and it was interesting to note, and difficult to ignore, the trout activity while gathering the required data.

A major food source for trout, eels and many water dependent bird species is the caddis fly, sometimes called the sedge fly which belongs to a huge family of 250 different species. Most caddis activity occurs in the evening or at night, on the Waikakahi Stream they were active throughout the day. This was a small species, perhaps 12mm to 14mm in length, and after lifting a few stones from the stream bed and finding many cased caddis I guess they were the newly hatched adults of the sandy cased species, Pycnocentria, of which there are several.

Fluttering and scuttling about on the surface they certainly caught the attention of the resident brown trout. Because the caddis is moving erratically across the surface, the trout waste no time or manners when snatching this small food item resulting in a rapid, “splashy” and very visible rise. How I wish I could have changed my pen and and data forms for a light weight fly rod rigged with a #14 “turkey sedge”.

Warm weather and damsel flies
As the clouds drifted off, the sun appeared, air temperatures began to rise and damsel flies were soon hovering along streamside vegetation. The menu for the trout immediately changed. The damsel flies, often called dragon flies (true dragon flies are several times larger) fly and hover just above the water and I believe the trout regard “damsels” as great sport rather than an easy lunch. Damsel fly hunting involves following the moving insect and then leaping from the water to intercept the target in flight.

Occasionally the trout will grab one that has settled on a fragment of plant material floating downstream but most of the time it requires launching an aerial attack. This of course is a very visible feeding pattern with a large splash on re-entry. With great gusto and splash, damsel fly feeding appears to be an activity relished by trout, both brown and rainbow, in lakes, ponds and rivers around the country.

When caddis appear, the trout “switch on” and there can be quite a feeding frenzy. The large caddis scuttle across the surface film, some appear to fly immediately, and the slashing, untidy rise form is consistent with trout taking large active flies in fast water. Unfortunately their appearance can be well after dark and even at 1.00am in the morning it’s hard to leave the river bank when the caddis are flying and the fish are rising.

Entries for your diary this month
The annual meeting of the Waitaki Riparian Enhancement Society will be held on Tuesday the 27th March 2012 at 7.30pm in the Glenavy Hall. The guest speaker will give a presentation on the progress of The North Bank Tunnel Project.
Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

The rain events over the last week have given all waters a lift in flows and all are looking particularly good for the first week of autumn. Salmon waters, the Rangitata, Opihi and Orari have high but receding flows and these conditions are ideal for taking salmon.

The Waitaki River is not producing however recent information divulged indicate that while fishing the mouth is not producing results, salmon are moving through and some observations suggest that the numbers seen are significant. Seeing them is good catching them is never guaranteed.

Floods and freshes have probably put a lot of trout fishing on hold and Wednesday night’s rain has given the rivers another increase, however all are flowing clear again just expect flows to be higher than average. The Ahuriri River is at about 16 cumecs, however flood flows from last week have provided turbid conditions over a large area of the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore.

If you are planning to fish Lake Benmore later this month the lake will be lowered considerably on the 21st and 22nd of March for maintenance purposes. At that time if conditions are suitable aerial spraying of lagarosiphon is proposed. The spraying programme is scheduled from the 12th to the 20th of March and could occur at anytime during that time period but spraying will not take place on weekends or public holidays.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

The region has, during the last 48 hours, experienced quite a deluge and at the time this report was underway 51mm had fallen with a possibility of further showers later today. A check on rainfall and river levels show that all waters experienced a rapid rise however today they are falling but many will be out for the weekend. The Hakataramea River, as the exception, it peaked at only 17 cumecs, now at 12 and falling quickly it will be fishable on the weekend but with a degree of colour.

Salmon anglers will be anticipating an influx of fish as the Rangitata River responds to the rainfall and inflows. Catches during the last week, in excess of 100 fish will provide considerable confidence.

Discoloured from many flooded tributaries, the Waitaki River is also affected however on inspection this morning the colour had improved markedly. At Kurow turbidity had decreased and visibility was about 300mm. The salmon catches to the north may increase the angler activity on the Waitaki but not this weekend. So far the catch rate can only be described as slow. During the week small numbers of salmon were caught at the Orari and Opihi River mouths.

Meanwhile in the high country anglers are enjoying their salmon fishing along the hydro canals adjacent to and opposite the salmon farms. Recent escapement of significant numbers of farmed salmon have attracted anglers, many with motor homes or caravans, their occupants prepared to stay for extended periods. Along with “day tripper” anglers the catch rate is high but regulated by bag limit of two salmon per day per person. Despite the bag limit the catch rate has concerned one salmon company.

The staff of the salmon farm have contacted Environment Canterbury informing them that much of the salmon catch is being cleaned along the banks of the canal and the entrails are then thrown into the canal. Salmon farm consent conditions require them to take water samples to ensure that their activities do not degrade water quality. The concern is that he high catch rate and the subsequent increase in fish cleaning may affect water quality in the vicinity of their salmon cages and breach water quality conditions. Environment Canterbury has passed on the concern to the writer.

The Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983, does have a section relating to cleaning of fish. Section 66 states “No person shall leave any fish, or any cleanings or offal from fish, lying unburied on the bank or margin of any waters.” This section is quite clear, any offal cannot be left on the bank or margin, it must be either buried or taken away. However this section does not cover offal left in the water.

Some time ago legal advice was obtained from Fish&Game’s national office regarding the depositing of fish offal in and around waters of the region. It is their opinion that the bank or margin finishes at the waters edge and does not extend into the lake, river or in this case canal, below water level. In terms of Fish and Game responsibilities for where fish may be cleaned this is as far as we can take the law. We have no authority to put up a sign or verbally advise people they cannot clean fish in the lake or even leave offal in the lake. We may only tell them what Section 66 allows us to.

Depositing offal in natural waters is a water pollution issue covered under the Resource Management Act 1991 and the responsibility of Canterbury Regional Council. CRC staff at that time were of the opinion that fish offal thrown into water would technically be a discharge of contaminant to water (Section 15, RMA) but at a rate of one fish per angler it is at a very minor scale with little or no adverse effect on the environment. “It would be different if it was a truckload and enforcement action would follow.”

Anglers have been catching fish and cleaning their catch on river bank and lake shore forever, and it would be difficult to prove that throwing fish offal into water is harmful to the environment. It is in my opinion lazy and disgusting to leave fish entrails lying on the bank. Burying is fine but how many anglers carry a shovel to do this task properly. Decomposing fish parts along with flies and odour does not make a great place to fish, rest or picnic. It is just as selfish to throw fish cleanings and “frames” in the shallows around boat harbours and launching ramps which are high use areas and often where children swim.

The salmon company may have good reason to be concerned, their business and the livelihood of their staff may be at risk because of the unwitting actions of anglers. The salmon farms provide many fish for many anglers, in my experience they are tolerant and patient with anglers in and around their premises.

While it may not be illegal to throw fish offal into the water consider the goose and the golden egg. Should there be an adverse effect, a worse case scenario could see an end to the supply of fish stocks to the hydro canals. Annually 10,870 anglers days are spent on the hydro canals. Collectively the hydro canals represent the 8th most fished “river” in New Zealand.
Disposal of fish cleanings is an important end to the fishing experience, so do it responsibly.
Tight lines

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

Yesterday I saw the sun for the first time in a week, but I had to travel well inland to do so. After another dismal week of grey at last there appears to be a change in the climate and as this report evolves the fog is dissipating and the sun is breaking through.

The rain, or heavy drizzle, which has been a daily occurrence, thought to be more of a nuisance than of any use has finally had an effect with all waters excepting the high rivers enjoying a small but valuable lift in flows. The refresh is timely as levels were in most waters approaching the critical stage. This will hopefully provide a buffer as we approach the time of year where fish salvage from drying riverbeds is an annual occurrence.

Having announced to the world, through the news media, how productive the hydro lakes are with regards to the trout fishery I was brought back to earth with a solid thud when the organiser reported that “the fish were not biting” that weekend and the catch rate was well down. Relying heavily on previous results and personal experience, “guestimating” angler harvest for this recent fishing competition was risk filled. As anglers well know, it never pays to speak with any authority on the subject when so many variables and vagaries come into play.

“The fish were not biting” but why? Who knows? Having already shown that my fishing experience and local angling history can’t be relied on, the best I can do is list a few reasons why some people catch fish while others struggle. Perhaps the most sensible and probably a prevalent cause of rejection is fish reaction to chemicals. It is well known that fish have a very good sense of smell and the inventors of scented baits were certainly on to something. They spent a lot of time and money providing concoctions which attract fish. Strangely enough the ones I have had experience with don’t smell like fish either.

It is not beyond reasoning that if our lures or baits exude a scent or impart a taste other than what might be commonly experienced by the local fish population then I would expect this would be a bait that would be rejected. I’m thinking here about common chemicals we use without thinking too much about , sun screen and worse insect repellent or, double trouble, sunscreen with added insect repellent. I’m sure if a brown trout came in contact with Octyl Bicycloheptenedicarboximide (no I didn’t make it up!) or Dipropyl Isocinchomerate there would be some avoidance reaction.

Commonly used while fishing, most of these common everyday chemicals applied to protect us from biting bugs and burning rays are detested by fish. So how do I prevent transporting these sticky creams and lotions to my hooks? Rigging up gear before reaching for the anti sun and bug lotions will help. One of my American friends insists a generous squirt of WD 40 or CRC rubbed into the hands will do the trick with the added bonus that the lubricant is an attractant to salmonids.

What about bananas?, Fact or fiction, bad luck or bad chemicals many captains of fishing boats are guilty of throwing bananas and their owners overboard. Why take the risk? And, if you are offered a fishing trip on a yellow boat named “Chiquita”; find another.

With a change in climate predicted and a rise in water levels my guess is trout fishing will take off this weekend. Salmon anglers still waiting for a fresh in the Rangitata River will have to tough it out with a low flow of 49 cumecs , in the Waitaki expect flows in the 250 to 350 range.

The big event for the Waitaki Valley on the long weekend was the annual Lake Aviemore fishing competition which began on Friday with weigh-ins Friday, Saturday and Sunday. By Sunday some 80 fish were weighed in with a 3.5 kg brown trout taking the honours. It’s difficult to guess how many fish were actually caught (then released) over the weekend but my guess is that 245 competitors could well have landed over 500 fish.

That’s only about two per person for one day, not an unexpected harvest for Lake Aviemore. Multiply that for two days, some will have fished three days, and the number of fish the lake produced is quite extraordinary. This was a 3 day competition, can you imagine the haul of fish taken throughout the recognised holiday period!

Salmon “runs” are non existent however salmon are still being caught in low numbers in the Rangitata and Waitaki Rivers. Salmon are reported to be right through each river system with catches recorded in “locations” from the mouth through to the very upper reaches.

Consent issues required an inspection of the Ahuriri River on Tuesday. The day started gloomy but as I travelled further west the better it became. The Ahuriri River looked a picture and while negotiating a riverside farm track I was reminded to watch where I was going and not where I wanted to be. The water was that wonderful deep blue in which you can quite easily see a feeding trout even if it’s not there. Anglers’ imagination. One of my passengers spotted an angler.

Perched unseen on a steep track above him, he was far to busy to notice us, I focussed binoculars on an Asian angler, fully attired in what appeared to be new waders, new fly vest, new hat, new rod, new landing net and probably other angling necessities I couldn’t see. I usually feel for these guys because at great expense, they have travelled a long way to fish New Zealand rivers, and so many haven’t a hope of catching a trout. Well not this fellow.

Alone, not a guide in sight, he had just netted what looked to be an excellent, silver sided “rainbow” and then set about to record the event on a memory card. Obviously he was having difficulty keeping the fish in the net, the net in the water and the fish and net in the view finder. The happy angler was attempting quite a balancing act in metre deep water, propping the fish up on his knees to get a photogenic angle on his trophy. We’ve probably all tried to do this at some time, it’s quite difficult and three arms would be really useful, as the tourist was about to find out.

Along with all his new fishing gear I hope his camera was new as well, because if it was it may have been one of those super duper, waterproof models. If not it will have been a very expensive trout. I turned the key and continued on my way as he attempted to the shake water from it. Optimistically he sat the camera on top of a large rock hoping, I guess, restorative beams of sunlight would do the impossible.

Despite the scruffy weather the dampness has done nothing to river flows and they are all trending downwards, albeit slowly. Rangitata salmon anglers will be wanting a norwester with rain in the alps to improve their chances, Waitaki anglers just want some fish.

Hamish Stevens, who gets to wave a rod around a lot more than I do, says that in the Opihi River the brown trout are already feeding on willow grubs which seems to me to be early. He adds that while they appear plentiful the cautious approach with accurate and delicate presentation is required. “Like the touch of a butterflies wing” as my father would often say. With some real rain predicted for the weekend it will be timely, river levels have reached the stage where some topping up is required.

Salmon anglers can expect low and clear in the Rangitata and 300 to 400 cumecs in the Waitaki.

If you are an angler and you took a weeks leave to go fishing in the region you would agree that the week’s weather has been a shocker! Dominated by norwesters increasing to met’ office warning velocities, the working week has ended with a switch to cool damp southerly conditions. The long weekend is upon us with some promise of sunshine however if you were a betting man you would never put money on it.

Now into February angler optimism increases with probability of salmon entering the river mouths of the region in greater numbers. A small rise in the Rangitata River flow last weekend appears to have induced a run at the mouth with a reported 25 fish taken. The Waitaki River however is lagging behind with the catch rate slow.

The big event for the Waitaki Valley this long weekend is the annual Lake Aviemore fishing competition which begins today with weigh-ins tonight and on Saturday and Sunday. If you wanted quiet time fishing then Lake Aviemore is probably not the place for you. Organisers are expecting a turn out of 200 adults and 100 juniors, that doesn’t include the anglers not entered and the many campers who fish and who are either still in residence or those that return for the last long weekend of the summer.

Lake Aviemore has been a popular camping angling venue since it was filled for hydro storage just over 40 years ago. I can recall my father returning from very successful Waitaki Valley fishing excursions with his angling cobbers. His limit bags of trout, no catch and release back then, processed and their edible remains reduced to unattractive exhibits in rows of “Agee” preserving jars on the top shelf in the laundry. In my opinion jars of preserved fish make very poor angling trophies.

Aviemore, like most man made lakes produced a rapid increase in fish population and an extraordinary growth rate as the lake filled and for a period of time after filling is completed. There comes a time however when the fish population and the food availability level out. Lake Aviemore was no different and eventually the trout numbers and growth rates declined. Despite the “boom and bust” era, today Lake Aviemore retains a reputation as one of the most productive lake fisheries of the region and arguably of the South Island.

In the Central South Island Region Lake Aviemore is second only to Lake Benmore. The National Angler Survey completed every 7 or 8 years by NIWA ( completed in 2007 / 2008) shows that 18, 410 angler days are spent on Lake Aviemore. While this is impressive, it falls well short of the much larger Lake Benmore which boasts 59,760 angler days during the same period, the most fished lake in the South Island. To give a comparison on other popular waters of the Waitaki Catchment, Lake Ohau 9,860 and Lake Tekapo 7,750 angler days.

Predictions for the weekend, who knows, trout fishing should be good all waters are in good flow, exceptional for this time of the year, and as for the salmon. On the Waitaki it’s been rather slow, a run cold happen any time, the Rangitata is dropping again making it less attractive for the salmon angler.

Returning from a months leave in North America and still wading through 242 Emails and a kilo of “snail mail” I have been shackled to the office desk and unable to see much of the great outdoors. Having read Hamish’s fishing reports, thanks for attending to these in my absence Hamish, I gather there is not a lot happening in the salmon rivers however the trout fishing has been good.

I was surprised to see the smaller rivers still in good condition which is not always the case at the time of the year. By all accounts the weather has been warm and sunny which should have produced some good hatches of insects, important to the trout as well as the angler.

Salmon fishing in the Rangitata is on hold until the next fresh, low and clear at 60 cumecs anglers await a norwest rain in the back country. A salmon has mysteriously appeared in my freezer and I have a fair idea who caught it and therefore assume it was caught “close to home”. This is good because I have returned with some essential gear and I’m prepared for Waitaki salmon.

Like a child in a lolly shop, with eyes wide open and clutching my new travellers credit card topped up with American dollars, I wandered through a maze of hunting and fishing gear in one of America’s well known sporting outlets. On entering the “shop”, about the size of a New Zealand shopping mall, I just knew I would not have enough time (or enough money) to satisfy my needs. After a brief panic attack I organised myself to systematically cover every row of every section of every department contained within.

After 60 minutes, my allotted time, I had only managed to fill two bags much to the disbelief of my waiting bride. We recently disagreed with the scales used by the airline company, and now we had very little leeway on luggage weight, having already had to open our suitcases and amongst many amused fellow travellers remove items of clothing and footwear to be transferred to our carry on luggage.

The airport authorities supply a huge plastic bag for this purpose and to further the embarrassment the bag they supply is a clear, see- through one. This allows passengers and bystanders to inspect at leisure what you have packed for your holiday wardrobe. I tend to think that your suit case is quite private and to be carrying your personal gear and your bride’s “frillies” for all the world to see doesn’t seem quite right.

I digress; amongst treasures purchased I had a spool of state of the art line, specifically for salmon fishing. Neither braid nor monofilament this ultra fine thread is going to catch me more salmon because the label says it will. Called “Nanofil” it is described as “a gel-spun polyethylene uni-filament, consisting of hundreds of Dyneema nanofibers, molecularly linked into a unified line”. The description says it all and I’m keen to give it a try on a big fish.

I successfully used the same line on smaller fish in Florida’s amazing Indian River. A huge inland salt water “river”, we explored shallow water areas around islands looking for Red fish, also known as Red drum, a strong , hard pulling bottom feeder, and excellent table fish. Fortuitously we idled into an area which held large numbers of trout. Not trout that you and I would recognise but sea trout and not the sea trout we know either. Florida’s Spotted sea trout Cynoscion nebulosus is not a trout but its colour and markings are certainly trout like. Voracious feeders they take live baits, spoons, soft artificials and although we didn’t try them I guess a feathered lure would also provoke a response.

Spotted sea trout suffered from commercial netting and populations were in rapid decline, so much so that in 1995 most nets were banned from Florida’s coastal waters. There is now a season, and in the area we fished, a bag of 4 per person. There is a “slot size limit” of not less than 15 inches and not more than 20 inches, one trout per person may exceed the maximum size limit. As is often the case, because the season was closed the trout were hitting our lures with gay abandon and we estimate our 3 rods caught over 100 trout which were immediately released. You wouldn’t play silly games over there, the law enforcement guys carry guns!

Two days later, New Years Day and opening day of the trout season, with my $47.00 fishing licence safely in my pocket, (I was required to purchase a non resident saltwater fishing licence) we were on spot “X”, unfortunately the fish weren’t. We persevered and eventually found their new feeding grounds. When you locate a feeding school, sea trout provide great entertainment, they fight much like a kahawai with a lot of half leaps and head shaking. As a bonus a red fish took a soft bait twitched across the sea grass and was successfully netted. Unfortunately my red fish, hooked but never seen, after a few minutes of dragging our boat around, well had we not been anchored I’m sure it would have, threw the hook as all the big ones tend to do.

Back to some “real trout” fishing, heavy rain last night, (Thursday) followed by snow to low levels has almost all our rivers rising, however due to the short duration of the rain event I’m guessing this rise will not be too dramatic.

The Waitaki has been a little higher than we’re used to due to low levels in Lake Manapouri and the need for extra generation from the Waitaki Valley stations, however for the weekend it should be in the 300 to 400 cumec range. The weather is predicted to be good for the weekend.

Well the first week of 2012 has flown as I suspect the remainder of the year will from past experiences. Those people who haven’t returned to work yet will most likely be back on Monday so make the most of your time off and the fishing opportunities that present themselves.

On Wednesday, along with a team of rangers, we checked angler compliance on Lake Benmore. All anglers encountered were complying with the regulations although a few had left their licences back at camp and were issued with failure to produce notices. Fishing was slow with very few fish onboard the boats we checked. Fish condition was generally not good either and is most likely a result of the dirty water that has been experienced over the past twelve months.

Despite this one angler reported catching a beautiful 3kg brown that was as deep as it was long. I assumed that it was feeding up on juvenile sockeye salmon however the angler informed me that upon inspecting the stomach contents it was full of small invertebrates and snails.

In addition the canal anglers received a visit from the ranging teams on the way home. All were found to be complying with the regulations and anglers on the Tekapo Canal were having lots of fun with salmon just on legal size. They are not hard to catch at the moment so I will remind you that the bag limit for the canals is two trout and two salmon.

Unfortunately there is not too much to report on the searun salmon fishing front. Opihi and Rangitata anglers are finding it hard going at the moment with low clear rivers. Mouth/surf fishermen will probably have the best chance as fish tend to hang around in these conditions. I went to explore the lower Rangitata earlier in the week and although I took the salmon rod I wasn’t expecting anything given the river conditions.

I walked approximately 4-5km and only came across two pieces of water the warranted serious fishing attention. I am now keeping my eyes on the weather forecast because as soon as the river comes down dirty I will revisit these areas and hopefully be on the board for 2012.

With being away over Christmas then up in Twizel preparing for the Kids Fishing Day I am a bit out of the loop when it comes to fishing information.

What I do know is anglers on the canals have been doing quite well. During fish transporting for the Kids Day we observed many anglers trying their luck and every time we went past someone had a fish on. One angler caught and released a very large rainbow trout that would have been in excess of 10kg, so the big ones are there! Rangers have also been out in the Mackenzie Country and caught up with some unlicensed anglers and one man using a spear.

On the searun salmon fishing front fish seem to be scarce at the moment however anglers who persevere are being rewarded with the odd fish. In the Rangitata these fish are around 7kg and in great condition. Flow in the Rangitata is currently at 79 cumecs and the forecast should see this river remain fishable throughout the weekend.

Trout fishermen could try the lower Opihi as good numbers of fish are present at the moment. Fellow Field Officer Mark Webb landed a nice brown on the dry fly that weighed in at 4.5lb (gutted) earlier this week. Patience is needed as the water is warm and clear and the fish have seen a few anglers by now. He tells me that there were bigger fish in the pool however I am still to hear exactly where this pool is.

For anglers in the McKenzie Basin the options are endless with many prime rivers, lakes and tarns within a short distance. Anglers fishing the tarns should try damselfly nymph imitations casting to sighted trout cruising the shallows or fish it blind on an intermediate line for deeper water. This produced the results for me on my first cast after gearing up earlier in the week however the wind got up and made spotting any further fish difficult.

The Ahuriri should be another option for anglers to consider as it has received very little angling pressure given the floods it received throughout November and early December. It is currently sitting around 25 cumecs and dropping so this flow reduction should help anglers spot more fish.

Salmon fishing has been rather quiet lately with the Rangitata in flood although it is dropping at present and provided we get no more rain should be fishable by the weekend. While a few salmon have been taken at the mouth the anglers upriver are having more luck as the fish are moving through at the moment. Targeting the back of this latest flood should produce some good fishing conditions. The Opihi is producing a few salmon however this quiet producer is yet to really fire this season.

Many river flows are still well above average for this time of the year and the high slopes continue to show the green tinge of extended spring growth. The Rangitata River is on the way down after a flood and Ahuriri River is on the rise. It is presently raining but this is not expected to affect river flows.

Salmon have provided early action in the Rangitata and the Opihi Rivers, however the Waitaki River is not expected to produce salmon until the new year. Caddis flies have been prevalent in the evening skies and brown beetles are still flying. Cicadas will be in full chorus for high country anglers if these conditions prevail. Afternoon May fly hatches on the Waitaki River are short in duration but there are several per day and being in the right spot at the right time is important.

Being “Johnny on the spot” is often put down to good luck. Experience often brings its own luck and this is called skill. Sometimes however, you can take advantage of the knowledge of others. I have written about solunar tables in the past and strangely enough very few people I have spoken to know much about them. Not all anglers are convinced that they are important, however if you have limited time or had a choice of times to go fishing, in my opinion, if you could fish the times as stipulated in the tables, then it would be foolish not to.

Fishing or hunting times are calculated from positions of the sun and moon hence the name solunar, “sol” meaning sun, “luna” meaning moon. About 60 years ago an American, John Alden Knight, wanted to know why he could cast for many hours without a bite, and then suddenly the fish began to feed and he would catch fish. After a period of time they appeared to stop feeding just as suddenly as he would cease to hook fish.

He sensibly thought that if these periods of activity could be predicted it would save countless hours of fruitless casting. Knight’s theory claims that the solunar periods occurred 4 times a day. The 4 periods are designated as “minor” and “major” feeding periods. The “minor” is a shorter period and feeding may last 45 minutes to an hour. The “major” period may last for 1.5 to 2 hours or longer. Knight claims that anglers should not ignore the “minor” as often the best sport of the day may be experienced during this shorter period.

If climatic conditions are poor, perhaps a falling barometer or when air or water temperatures are abnormal or during electrical storms, then solunar tables should not be expected to be accurate.

The solunar tables which apply to hunting times as well as fishing do not guarantee success however they do predict times when fish, gamebirds and game animals are likely to be active, thereby increasing the opportunities for hunters and anglers to be successful.

Solunar tables can be an interesting addition to the outdoors persons’ knowledge however one should not use them as an excuse for not going out. Not venturing out because the predicted activity time for fish falls outside the time you have planned to be out fishing is nonsense. You will still catch fish outside these times. The predatory trout is not going to pass up an appetising food item should the opportunity arise.

Summer is here, rivers are all clear and fishable, albeit a little more water than we’re used to, brown beetles are flying , large caddis flies are homing into night time lights and on Wednesday I heard the first hesitant chirp of a cicada. The combination of all these observations should mean enthusiastic feeding trout in the waters of the region.

Unfortunately, but not unexpected, with the increased sunlight hours and temperature the prevalent “nor wester” has been making itself known and here in the upper Waitaki Valley the many Rugby World Cup flags still flying are beginning to fray, much like the patience of visiting and tourist anglers. Casting in these conditions is wildly inaccurate, distance is greatly reduced and this may be why I’ve yet to hear of any good catches in my neighbourhood.

In the Waitaki River visibility has improved and just by observation, I estimate there is now at least 750mm visibility. Usually sea run brown trout in the tidal area are creating an interest at this time and although there is not too much activity here, talking to a catcher of these “silver beauties” although he’s had some success the trout still need to a wolf down more “silveries” to give them that superb condition we have seen in past seasons. It is rumoured that the first salmon has been caught near the Waitaki mouth but locals argue that because it was caught in a certain spot this may have been a large sea run trout and not the season’s first Chinook.

The roses in our garden are about to receive the first annual application of foul smelling spray to combat brown beetles and of course the persistent aphids. Most anglers will have a beetle imitation in their fly box and when the evening sky is filled with the drone of the natural, venturing onto the water with a floating beetle imitation should provide results if the fish are “switched on” The increased number of caddis, a large and medium sized species have been prevalent over the last few nights, could encourage me to put a rod together and head over to the Waitaki to see if these are on the menu. That’s if the wind stops.

Spin fishing anglers will have seen the large schools of fry in backwaters, these will comprise mainly of salmon and amongst them will be brown trout. Electric fishing a Waitaki tributary this week indicates that brown trout juveniles are up to 36mm in length. Matching the food items presently available is sensible and smaller spinners and wobblers may work best at this time.

To the north an early run of salmon has resulted in 13 being caught at the Rangitata River mouth. This will result in increased angler interest and I guess more anglers could mean more fish caught. Information gleaned from “locals” indicate that at present there is significantly more activity from trout and salmon in the lower rivers and at river mouths north of the Waitaki River.

The waters of the upper Ahuriri River, upstream of and including Longslip Creek, open this Saturday , the 3rd of December. Although the river is still quite high, the gauge indicates a surprising 35 cumecs, it is clear and the fish, after a series of high flows, should be hungry and may well show this with less than perfect condition factors. I refer to brown trout, “rainbows” are seldom in lean condition unless they have just completed their spawning activities. The “nor wester” will govern success up this valley, it will probably blow but it should stay dry.

It never rains but it pours, and it certainly did. As one would expect, after another deluge, the rivers and lakes are mostly unfishable and although receding the weekend will be a “washout” with many waters too high and too dirty to provide any chance of success. Providing it remains dry, my guess is fishing could be back on the agenda in most places in 3 or 4 days time.

Once again the lake tributaries are pumping in large volumes of discoloured water and if the anglers are tired of it I expect the fish are too. This will be the third weekend in a row where anglers have had to change their plans due to less than ideal river and lake conditions.

Colleague Hamish Stevens from the Temuka office reports that two salmon have been landed in the lower Rangitata (20 & 25lb) and the first has been landed at the Opihi Mouth (size unknown) Sea run trout are also venturing into the lower reaches of these rivers cashing in on the seasonal runs of silveries and whitebait. As the rainfall figures and flow charts indicate the Tekapo and Ahuriri are not looking good for the weekend.

The Twizel was high but fishable. Plenty of anglers were fishing the canals and Hamish checked 12 most of whom had caught small salmon. One angler had a good rainbow around 5.4 kg or in old anglers terms, 12lb. Another angler “mistakenly” believed he only had to buy a licence if checked by a ranger. He was issued an offence notice and his gear was seized.

Hamish is organising another “Kids Fishing Day” at Kelland Pond near Twizel. This proved to be a huge success last year so keep 29th December free. Registration is required and the poster in this link has all the details.

To the north the Opihi and Orari Rivers have improved and although still showing colour are fishable. Other smaller coastal South Canterbury waters will be clearing and may be worth inspection during the weekend. Casting for sea run “browns” at the mouths of these waters will be an exciting option.

In the Waitaki Valley the Waitaki River will be carrying tributary flood flows so you can expect some diluted colour here with flows in the 300 cumec area. Although the Hakataramea River is high and coloured at 19 cumecs, the Maerewhenua River is now at 4 cumecs and will be attracting some attention from frustrated flycasters.

November has been a challenging month for anglers, this is the last weekend of the month and every one is hoping December will bring settled weather and clear flows. Lake fishing will be a sensible choice for many and I’m reminded that tag returns from trout caught in Lakes Alexandrina and McGregor could win the anglers prizes after a draw scheduled for the end of the season.

The persistent nor westerly wind is here for the weekend and although predicted to be strong it is supposed to be a dry . There may be minimal opportunities for boating anglers , perhaps a couple of hours at first light, but be prepared for a quick exit.

Another week of changeable weather, again some new snow, hail strong winds, rain and occasionally a little sunshine. Rivers of the region have been slowly dropping some had a bit of a lift mid week and most are now on the way down but still much higher than a normal spring flow. Despite the conditions some anglers have provided glowing reports.

One from the Tekapo River, best day he’s had for years, plenty of fish. Two Cantabrians in the very upper reaches of the Hakataramea River landed 15 and a husband and wife team, regular visitors from USA, claimed to have experienced the best fishing ever on the “Haka”, landing 20 fish for their day. As we all know fishing is not an exact science, returning on the next day to the same area using the same gear the couple struggled to find and land 3 fish.

In truth the high country waters have only been lightly fish if fished at all, due to high flows. There is a definite improvement in the colour of the hydro lakes however with the rivers well topped up it wont take much rain to swell the rivers and render them unfishable again which will, in many cases affect the lake fishing as well.

In the lower Waitaki hatches of mayfly are providing dry fly fishing opportunities. An angler on the lower river informed me that trout were feeding on large emerging nymphs described as having only two tail filaments and prominent gills along the abdomen. From his description these were Coloburiscus humeralis, the spiny gilled mayfly. His observation was timely and while the “hatch” was on the angler hooked 5 trout on his imitation.

Coloburiscus is a large ( 18mm) bulky and “spiky” mayfly larvae more common in small, bush covered streams with high water quality, usually in hill country. Commercially tied spiny gilled mayfly nymphs are not seen that often however a large black or dark coloured, bulky and “spiky” weighted nymph will produce results if Coloburiscus is on the menu. I recall they were once prolific in parts of the lower Waitaki River but I guess didymo has smothered much of its habitat, although obviously not all of it. Their presence is encouraging , and for myself it’s surprising how the news of a rather ugly little can make your day.

The weather ahead is not looking good for fine weather fishing. Rivers and streams of the region are all above average in level which better suits the spin fisher but for the stalking fly caster it is not helpful. High water does afford more protection for the fish and they tend to be less wary than in times of low flow.

For the opening of high country waters last weekend the rivers were not in ideal condition except perhaps the Maerewhenua River which was flowing at about normal level. The remaining waters were either high but fishable or higher and discoloured. The hydro lakes are still showing effects of flood inflows with various shades of colour, depending on how close to tributary confluences one fished. At higher altitudes a light covering of snow greeted the early risers and those hardy characters wet wading commented on boot temperature while walking the snow covered river banks.

I spent most of the day on the Hakataramea River. At 10 cumecs it was more difficult to find fish especially in deeper water, a brisk “norwester” kept the anglers well clothed and made spotting with “polaroids” even more difficult. In the upper reaches the population of post spawning rainbow trout was higher than last year but not in the numbers observed prior to the 2010 season opening. With 15 vehicles parked between the SH 82 bridge and Dalgety Stream the Haka anglers were evenly spread over 50 km of river. The fishing was described as “hard going” and those that had spent 3 to 4 hours fishing were rewarded with up to 3 fish for their efforts.

On the Tekapo River similar fishing conditions and catch rates were experienced. The Ahuriri River was still quite discoloured and law enforcement staff commented that although they thought conditions were only marginal several cars were parked at or near the SH8 bridge. I spoke with an angler who for as long as I can recall has fished the Ahuriri River on opening day. Braving snow and icy conditions he and 2 companions fished for most of the day for a total of 4 fish. Spin fishing produced results however a group of fly casters had no fish.

The Twizel River was reported to be clear and fishable although fish numbers were thought to be down on previous opening days. The hydro canals had their adherents however two anglers were issued offence notices for using illegal baits, one for using part of a fish for a bait, and another using more than one bait assembly when fishing with natural bait.

The weather throughout the week has been “variable”, some heavy rain, new snow and cold winds mixed in with some periods of glorious sunshine. Today is quite different with a “pea soup” fog. The weekend ahead is not going to be bathed in sunshine and cloud and drizzle may prevail. Most rivers had an increase in their flow brought about by the rain on Wednesday so their steady downward trend has been interrupted temporarily. As a result what you saw last weekend is what to expect this weekend. With Canterbury residents having a three day weekend I expect there will be an influx of anglers to the region so you may not have your favourite spot to yourself.

The most fortunate fishers of the week had to be a pair of crested grebes on Lake Tekapo. They were plying their underwater skills in catching their daily ration of fish when two Central South Island fish transporters arrived and released 200kg of Chinook salmon smolts into their patch. Their underwater feeding grounds in a few seconds went from an occasional trout fingerling to a swirling myriad of silver, and I guess their good fortune lasted until they couldn’t eat any more or the salmon became orientated with their new environment and began grebe avoidance behaviour.

Sanfords Waitaki hatchery have generously donated several tanker loads of salmon which will be released in lakes of the region during the next few days.

Opening day for the High Country fishing season will not be anything like the warm and sunny day we had last year. Recent climatic conditions have been cold and wet and inland there is new snow to low levels.

I had a quick ring round Otematata, Omarama and Twizel this morning and my first contact said “It’s snowing, it’s blowing and it’s bloody cold!”.

This weekend will be a test for anglers in most rivers however the waters of the Ashburton Lakes and Lake Heron wont be affected although the strong norwesters on Thursday has given them all a good stir up with Lake Emma showing some colour from disturbed silt. Vehicular access to Harrisons Bight is closed due to ground conditions so it’s either paddle power or “Shanks pony” to access this part of lake.

The Ahuriri River which opens tomorrow excepting waters upstream of the Longslip Creek, including all tributaries and valley lagoons, is high at 42 cumecs and although dropping it wont be too productive for several days . Visibility was described yesterday as ‘about 4 inches”. Discoloured and about 4 times the volume at which it fishes well, Ahuriri fans may do well to change their destination.

The Tekapo River and its tributaries are high and fishable and transportation of didymo in the Tekapo river has stopped. With 200 cumecs flowing out of Lake Ohau this would suggest that inflows are still high. The Dobson and Hopkins River I guess will be discoloured and the Temple and Maitland will also be high with some colour however with rain turning to snow their levels will be trending downward.

The Otematata River is high with some colour but reported to be fishable. The Hakataramea and Maerewhenua Rivers are both clear and fishable with flows of 11 and 2 cumecs respectively. With extra water in the “Haka” the fish will be harder to find in the mid and lower reaches but they will be there, somewhere. Or perhaps not! It will interesting to see how the floods which peaked at 140 cumecs in the “Haka” have affected the population. Last year’s opening was a bit of a disaster so “Haka” adherents will be hoping for better results tomorrow.

For those anglers who frequent Lake Benmore, the low level event required for maintenance is now on hold until normal inflows and storage resumes. Aerial spraying of lagarosiphon is also postponed until conditions improve. With a scruffy weather forecast for the weekend ahead there will be some tough decisions for high country anglers to make.

Kids Fishing Day
Central South Island Fish & Game are holding a Kids Fishing Day again this year over the Christmas holiday period. The event was held for the first time in 2010 and was a huge success with many young anglers landing their first fish. Final approvals and event details are being currently organised but we can tell you that the day will be held at Kelland Pond (near Twizel) on the Thursday 29th December. The event is for children who are under 12 years of age. So keep this date free and watch out for further details.

All those mundane tasks which interfere with fishing but which don’t go away can be completed without regret this weekend. I doubt if there is any clean water within the region to fish. The rain which gave us a severe wetting last week returned and exceeded all expectations.

A check on the waters of the region show that all waters reached maximum levels on Wednesday and although still high and discoloured are now dropping. The Waitaki catchment received a deluge with big falls in the high country and consequently the lake tributaries are carrying high sediment loads which is adding more colour to the already discoloured waters and these will take weeks to clear.

The Tekapo River is in flood with high inflows from the Forks and Gray Rivers and the Mary Burn. This could be a blessing for those intending to fish it on the 5th November, opening day. My Twizel contact informs me that the didymium in the Teapot was the worst he had ever seen it but on Thursday he called and described the river as high and loaded with didymium being swept downstream. A temporary measure but nicely timed for opening weekend anglers.

There should be some cleaner water down lake but fishing around the Tekapo delta won’t be an option this weekend. The Ahuriri River reached 140 cumecs and it will be affecting the clear waters of the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore.

In last weeks flood, 110 cumecs of Hakataramea River was a major contributor of turbid water into the Waitaki River leaving a fishable flow in the river upstream from the confluence to the Waitaki Dam. This week the Haka peaked at 140 cumecs however this augmentation is minor as with the entire catchment affected there is almost 500 cumecs of discoloured water flowing down the Waitaki and the 7 kilometres of fishable water is no longer available.

This extra colour originates from the Awakino and Awahokomo Rivers however further up the valley the Otematata River is affecting Lake Aviemore and a front of brown water has progressed halfway down the lake. At present there is some fishable water in the lower part of Lake Aviemore but not for long. If the lawns are mowed and the gardens are free of weeds then the West Coast waters could be good bet.

The long awaited rain arrived with a vengeance and as a consequence all free flowing rivers of the region have had a good “spring clean”. Presently they are all subsiding and in various degrees of turbidity. The smaller rivers are clearing quickly, the larger waters are taking a little longer.

The air temperatures have plummeted and the reason is quite obvious. From my office windows I can see the St Mary range to the south and the Kirkleston Range to the north, both resplendent in a new covering of snow. The post card views will be brief however as a light warm rain is falling and a thaw will be underway.

With the long weekend ahead there will be many heading away for some serious fishing. To the north Hamish Stevens reports that fishing options will be somewhat limited over the weekend given the floods experienced this week, however this short term loss of suitable angling water will be easy to bear given the long term benefits.

Lake Opuha just had a water shortage order put in place last Friday, reducing use to 75% however after the rain it is now rapidly filling and past trigger levels set. All rivers within the wider catchment were beginning to suffer low flows so the rain was welcome and hopefully will have alleviated both the didymium problems in the Opuha and phormidium in the lower Opihi.

From my observations as I crossed State highway bridges last evening the South Canterbury rivers will be out for the weekend perhaps fishable on Monday.

The Waitaki River has some “milk coffee” discolouration caused by flood water inflows, the greatest contribution being 110 cumecs of muddy water from the Hakataramea River. This is clearing and by today the lower river should be fishable. Above the Hakataramea River confluence the water clarity is unaffected as the Awakino River, usually a source of high turbidity, was only marginally affected by the rain.

Up until the rain the lower Waitaki was still providing good results. Despite the didymo and water colour one Waitaki Bridge local described the fishing as “fantastic”.

There have been no reports of sea run trout movement at river mouths, however the white bait catch has been slow and smelt are about but not in large numbers. When these important species run in earnest, which could be any time now, then we can expect some action.

In the Mackenzie Basin and the Waitaki Valley there won’t be too much change in the lakes however some discolouration could be expected around river entry points. These conditions will be short term as the rain inland was a mere shower compared to the deluge in coastal areas.

While the lakes wont have changed too much anglers will need to check on river conditions prior to making any plans. A reminder, most high country rivers do not open until 5th November. I have a nice set of spin gear sitting in my office which belongs to a young angler who admitted not reading the regulations when interviewed on the banks of the Hakataramea River last weekend.

Through considerable coverage by the news media, anglers will now be well aware of the bacterial disease aeromonas salmonicda affecting lamprey but which could also affect our sports fish species. With detection of the disease in the Otago region anglers are asked to be vigilant.

If anglers observe lamprey during the day, which is a good indication they’re sick, or any other fish with red marks on them, they should retrieve the fish, store it in a plastic bag and keep cool asap (ideally in the fridge, NOT the freezer), and ring the MAF 0800 number. MAF will organize a free courier to pick up the sample.

Although light rain is falling today (Friday) the weekend forecast is not too bad however I wouldn’t bank on gaining much of a suntan during the next three days.

The week weather wise has been reasonably angler friendly, however a good rain is required as most of the river fisheries are flowing below what can usually be expected at this time of the year.

A single millimetre of rain was recorded late on Tuesday night. Thursday night and early Friday morning a few more showers from the west. and up country a little more but still insufficient to make a noticeable difference.

South Canterbury’s Lake Opuha is at such a low level that irrigation abstraction and environmental releases are to be managed in such a way as to provide less water but over a longer period.

It is of concern that two reputable fisheries, Hakataramea and Maerewhenua Rivers wont open for another 3 weeks and they are both below 2 cumecs, 1.5 and 1.1 cumecs respectively, and the flow trend is still downward. The snow cap which is an important slow feed for these and other waters, is nonexistent and only a good rain from the east or southeast will remedy the present dry period.

It is highly likely that irrigation restrictions will begin prior to the November season opening, a very unusual situation, and one that almost guarantees fish salvage will be necessary before Christmas. As some one commented we are presently living in a green desert. While everything looks nice and green, a result of spring growth , the façade is a false one and in fact the region is very dry and the rivers continue to recede.

This situation is not confined to the Central South Island Region and colleague Morgan Trotter from Otago Fish and Game reports that apart from the Taieri River, Otago rivers are all “below normal”.

The Waitaki River despite its colour and the ever present didymo is producing fish and good hatches of may fly occur throughout the afternoon, which should interest the fly caster. It certainly interests the local birdlife with ducks terns and gulls active on “emergers” as they drift downstream.

Whitebait, an important seasonal food for trout are not breaking any records as they migrate into freshwater . Although not numerous they will be a target for predatory fish species and knowledgeable anglers who haunt river mouths at this time indicate that although there are good numbers of trout in the lower reaches of the Rangitata and Opihi, they need some good runs of ‘bait and silveries to pack on some condition.

Opening day of the new fishing season provided anglers with fine weather and good fishing in the Waitaki lakes and in the Waitaki River. Due to the glacial coloured water most anglers used spin gear however on the river there have been many reports of trout rising to hatches of mayflies and flycasters were quite successful.

On the Waitaki River most anglers in boating parties caught their daily limit with some landing 12 to 15 fish for the day. The rainbow trout in the lower river below Duntroon were described as “maiden” fish in prime condition. Small brown trout were in “good” condition but older, larger fish were light in condition. Didymo is described as “bad” in smaller side braids but in major braids water velocity appeared to be keeping the growth of algae at a manageable level.

On Lake Waitaki the catch rate mirrored the results obtained on the river. Top angler for the day reported catching 16 fish however the exact location remains “classified information”. No offences were reported or detected.

An inspection of closed waters, the Hakataramea River upstream to Dalgety Stream and the Maerewhenua River North Branch from Duntroon to the top bridge indicated that no one had started the season early. Invariably reports of persons fishing these waters are received during October.

With the continued dry spell coastal rivers are on a downward trend and a good rainfall would be useful.

This brief report is more of a river report due to a lack of angling pressure over the short week. With the last long weekend ahead I expect the trout will be well educated by next Tuesday. Reports from the Waitaki indicate that in the coloured water which still remains and will do until next summer, trout anglers are catching salmon , and most are being released. I say most as we already have a prosecution pending due to one angler disregarding the closed salmon fishing regulation.

All waters are topped up after the recent rain and are looking good for the Easter break. The lakes will be busy places with an increasing number of boats seen heading west. The Ahuriri River is running at 13.5 cumecs the Waitaki expected to be in the 300 to 400 cumec range.

This may be a good time to cast a few egg imitations around , “glow bugging” can be extremely successful when the salmon are spawning and numbers of rainbow trout are in close proximity looking for this seasonal delicacy.

With thanks to Graeme Hughes. CSI Fish & Game

After a small upward shift in flows early in the week, rivers and streams are on the way down and they are all fishable with a much improved weather report for the weekend ahead . With a very late Easter holiday weekend approaching, the last long weekend of the fishing season, anglers will be hoping this wintry period is only temporary.

With thanks to Hamish Stevens, CSI Fish & Game

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.

As the days are noticeably shorter, the temperatures cooler and the willows colour for autumn, we are reminded that the salmon season is drawing to a close. The prestigious species has been largely insulated from angler effort due to the extraordinary flows of the Waitaki and the Rangitata Rivers. The Waitaki is usually fishable during times when the Rangitata is high and discoloured however this season is exceptional with both waters being high and discoloured for much of the recognised salmon fishing period.

The Waitaki has been gradually trending downwards and has been below 300 cumecs a flow not seen since late last year. The Rangitata River is high and continues to rise and will not be fishable for this weekend as norwest conditions prevail along the main divide. The Waitaki is expected to stay in the 250 to 300 range during the weekend but be aware that at any time these levels could change, due to the storage situation in the high country.

Although high flows prevented access and angling for salmon during the early part of the recognised chinook run, it did not prevent the upstream migration of salmon with perhaps more salmon observed, hooked, lost and landed in the upper river at this time of the year then in several previous years.

Reports from the lower river indicate that salmon are being caught daily but the catch rate could never be described as a “run”. At the Glenavy Hotel a popular gathering place for anglers and a well known weigh in centre the proprietor reports that there have been salmon weighed in most days this week but generally the catch rate has been slow.

Up river the catch rate for the local anglers has been encouraging however, as is always the way, some days are encouraging with multiple hook ups and some landings, other days have been very quiet.

The other salmonid which is of interest, the sockeye salmon, has appeared in unusual places due to those earlier high flows and spilling at hydro dams.

Numbers of sockeye are spawning in the Awakino River, to my knowledge this is the first record of the species spawning here, in the Aviemore spawning race, not seen here since the 1970’s.

We will never know how many sockeyes made the downstream journey from Lake Benmore and it is likely that they have also ascended other rivers such as he Hakataramea River, last seen spawning here in the late 1970’s after a spill event, and the Otematata River. There are small schools of sockeye in pools left after spilling Lake Pukaki water down the usually dry Pukaki River bed, and there is a still a sizeable number at the base of the Benmore dam. Continually swept onto rocks by the surge from the tailrace these pint sized battlers never tire from their one objective, finding a way upstream to spawn. What makes these mini salmon battle the high flows in such rugged and life threatening environments is unknown and it is unfortunate that in most of these waters their unrelenting spawning efforts will amount to naught.

On the major spawning grounds the species is scarce and in some waters nonexistent. The sockeye salmon is known for its unreliability and there are many waters in which they could spawn unseen and unrecorded. I sincerely hope that this run, for reasons unknown, is just a “poor year” and not the beginning of their demise as happened some 20 years ago.

The trout angler has several choices as the recent unusually wet period has kept trout waters well topped up during what is usually a drought period. All waters are clear and fishable excepting the Ahuriri which has peaked at 50 cumecs and is now on the way down. At this level it will have some colour and may only be marginal for the weekend.

Tight lines.

The Waitaki River is trending downwards after another high flow event with all dams spilling during the week. Spilling at Lake Waitaki dam ceased on Wednesday night and on Thursday the flow was at 455 cumecs. For the weekend flows will be at 400 perhaps 420, and with the lakes well topped up that’s the best guess.

Salmon are being seen in the river although with the high flows they have a choice of passage making it difficult for salmon anglers. In the upper river salmon are being caught which have been in the river for some time showing a bit of colour and other are bright scaled , the kind of fish you would expect near the river mouth. Fish are mostly between 7 and 9 kg with the heaviest at about 11 or 12 kg. Trout are continually hitting the salmon gear which raises the pulse rate with “rainbows” being more gullible to a big “Z” spinner than the “browns”.

Information from downriver is scarce however a little news is filtering through. Apparently some salmon are being taken and limit bags as well. With the river down at last one could expect an increase of success stories.

The sockeye salmon are not enjoying a great season and it is disappointing to report that where they have been migrating into upper lake tributaries in their thousands during the last few years, this year there are a few dozen. While some is better than none, the Lake Ohau population which historically migrates into Larch Stream has failed to appear. During a ground survey carried out on the 9th March I walked the length of the stream and did not see a “sockeye”.

The only stream they have appeared in is the enhanced Ruataniwha spring, (locally known as Mint Creek), where approximately 40 have been seen. Of interest are the observations by from Ray Newman in Twizel, local champion for “sockeye”, the few he has seen are two distinct lengths, the normal Benmore salmon and a noticeably smaller salmon. He reports that the larger salmon show typical sockeye colour whereas the smaller fish are rather dull in colouration. He suggested that these smaller fish may be Lake Ohau fish and I think he could be correct. With the unusual high flows and Ruataniwha spillway operating, it is reasonable to assume that there are fish transferred from one lake to another, in fact we know it happens, we just don’t know the survival rate. In the upper Waitaki River below Waitaki Dam anglers have caught sockeye salmon and Chinook salmon released from hydro canal salmon farm releases. That is a long and life threatening journey. Sockeye salmon are presently trying to find a way over Benmore Dam and while there was spilling at Lake Waitaki Dam sockeye were leaping into the foaming wash as the water plummeted down the concrete.

Still the species is known for its mysterious appearances and non appearances, their demise is not a result of over fishing (we have shortened the season to protect then during the peak of their migration) and although it’s of concern we can only wait and see what happens next year.

If you have the weekend free and fishing is on the agenda, although the weather may be a bit scruffy, it is raining and has done through most of the early hours, it is supposed to improve over the next 24 hours. All rivers are clear and fishable, excepting the Waitaki which remains coloured. Most waters had a slight increase early in the week but are now decreasing. Lake Ohau and the Waitaki hydro lakes are still grey green in colour but as the past week has proven salmon and trout can see well enough.

Just when rivers had reached flows which may have been considered normal the norwester and accompanying rain bumped up levels once more, however the good news is they are all trending downwards excepting the Waitaki River which is gradually on the way up. Presently flowing at 470 cumecs high country inflows will mean this increase could continue to somewhere between 500 and 600 cumecs. This will not be good news to Waitaki salmon anglers.

As the water has slowly cleared salmon have been caught. Not only in the lower river but as suspected a number of salmon have move upstream during the high flows and several local anglers have taken their first salmon for the season. To the north the salmon catch has been steady although not spectacular. Angler opinion indicates that although the rivers have been unfishable for much of the time the salmon catch on fishable days has been encouraging.

The chinook’s smaller cousin sockeye salmon are slow to appear this year. The sockeyes spawning runs historically begins on or very close to the 24th February. By the end of the March the event is all over. The migration, courtship, redd excavation and ova deposition is a very short lived affair. A handful of fish have been seen in the lower Ohau River and it is of concern that they are not in their usual hundreds in the many known spawning tributaries.

Earlier in the year I received many calls from persons interested in fishing for sockeye salmon, or just observing the spectacle of these colourful and feisty species on their spawning grounds. Although it is still early days, if planning on visiting tributaries where sockeyes are most often seen it would be premature to travel especially long distance without checking on spawning progress with Fish and Game or emailing the writer. Probably the most common enquiry is what do you use to catch Sockeye salmon. The season is now closed for this species however for future reference, salmon are caught at the head of Lake Benmore prior to their run into tributary streams. The anglers are most often trolling for trout and Tasmanian devils and bibbed minnows such as the popular Rapala baits and the many other similar brands have proven effective.

After the flood flows which have swept fish over or through spillways of Benmore, Aviemore and Waitaki Dams sockeye salmon are being caught in the upper Waitaki River on “Z” spinners and Colorado spoons being used to catch Chinook salmon. Despite being the smallest salmon species, when it comes to successful lures, size doesn’t seem to matter.

I have experimented with different colours and almost proved that it’s not size that counts but how you use it. Sockeye have to be goaded into striking which means repetitive casting to one fish until the fish loses patience and attacks with some enthusiasm.

Females can be as savage but for a trophy fish the males are more coloured and usually larger. This information won’t be of much use this year but perhaps next season.

In the upper river several impressive trout, rainbow and brown, have been taken on salmon gear proving that while the water may be considered marginal to anglers, the in stream residents can see better than we think. All smaller waters are dropping in level and are fishable, the Ahuriri River gauge has been repaired and this morning indicates a flow of 22 cumecs, high but fishable.

Weather is going to influence the weekends fishing options again with rain predicted for Saturday. Sunday should be better with forecasters saying the sun will shine and winds will be light. Another small Nor West event has put a halt to salmon fishing in the Rangitata River for the time being. The river peaked at 162cumecs but is dropping fast and is now at 116cumecs however suitable fishing are not likely until early next week. It has been an on/off season for the Rangitata so far both with the numbers of fish and the suitability of the river for fishing. Fish condition however has been great with the largest salmon bottoming the scales at 28lb.

The Opihi had been producing good numbers of fish however recent reports indicate the mouth is not conducive to good fishing at the moment and may block. Blocking of the mouth will hopefully allow the river to break out further towards the lagoon removing the poor fishing conditions we have currently.

If a spot of trout fishing is on the agenda the Tekapo River might be worth a look. Early in the season anglers were frustrated with the didymo blooms and fishing was pretty hit and miss because of this. On a trip to the Steel Bridge yesterday I was surprised to see just how much the river has changed, there were very few places that looked familiar. The spilling of Lake Tekapo over the holiday period has certainly rectified the situation and now the shingle is clean as a whistle. While on the bridge I looked down and noticed four fat trout in the 1.5-2kg bracket feeding vigorously. What a pity I didn’t have my fly rod!
Tight Lines
Hamish Stevens

According to colleague Hamish Stevens, Santa has arrived early for junior anglers in Ashburton with around 100 rainbow trout released into the Tinwald Domain pond on Wednesday. The fish were kindly donated by Salmon World at Rakaia. Salmon World offers the traveller a chance to stop and recharge the batteries with a café, gift store and 4D movie ride. Salmon World also has an excellent display of fish in a series of aquariums which contain eels, whitebait, salmon, brown and rainbow trout. The donated fish had outgrown their tank and were therefore shifted to a new home at Tinwald Domain. The trout were up to 300 grams in weight and will provide junior anglers with a challenge over the holiday period. It is important to note that the Tinwald Domain is a child licence only fishery (children under 12 years as of the 1st of October 2010).

Don’t forget the childrens fishing day. It is a kids only day to be held on the 29th December at Kelland Pond adjacent to SH 8 just south of Twizel. For information sheets email Hamish at hstevens@fishandgame.org.nz

It will come as no surprise that the norwest rains have affect all high country waters.The Ahuriri peaked at just under 100 cumecs , the Hopkins and Dobson rivers have filled Lake Ohau to maximum and instead of 12 cumecs passing through the siphon there is also about 120 flowing over the weir crest.

Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo have received their share of flood flow which of course combined with Ohau and Ahuriri River flows eventually down the Waitaki Valley.
At present Meridian Energy Ltd Generation Control can manage the inflows however at this time there is a low demand for electricity and to compound the situation there is another norwest rain event fore cast and if this delivers the rainfall predicted spilling will be inevitable at the Waitaki hydro dams, Benmore, Aviemore and Waitaki.

Depending on the severity of the spill some of the many camps set up or being set up will need to address a high lake level event possibly as early as Monday or Tuesday. One can never be exact about the timing of these.

The coloured water entering the lakes will affect the fishing as it will in the rivers, sadly it appears there will be a lot of new fishing gear looking for some clean water to fish. Lakes Aviemore and Waitaki will be high but the water should remain fishable for several days before the flood flows affect water clarity.

How long is this going to last? The time it takes to clear is dependent on the inflows so at this early stage there is no telling when this will happen. The Rangitata River will be out for few days too, salmon anglers will be disappointed however it has dropped from 900 cumecs to 400 but the weekend is definitely out. The Waitaki River will be clear at Kurow but at flows exceeding 500 cumecs the substrate movement and erosion of islands turns it to an unfishable brown 15 kms down river. By the time it reaches the mouth it is very turbid, and fishing is out of the question. Not great news however it will give the didymo a fright and we will get some great clean water fishing as soon as normal water levels resume.

There will be small high country tarns and lakes that have no inflows that will remain clear and fishable however many of these are restricted to fly fishing only.
Have a great Christmas weekend and if you find some water to fish.

Tight lines.

Regular fishing patterns have settled into the Mackenzie Basin, with some good catches and hatches being enjoyed. With settled weather comes settled fish and this Spring has been one of the most settled for some years, with very few windy days and lots of sunshine. Although the hatches have been on again – off again for most times, catching the hatch has been very rewarding on some streams. We’ve enjoyed great opportunities to hit the backcountry waters and with very few other anglers around, those wetting a line have enjoyed many days of solitude.

The lower Tekapo has been didymo filled, but middle stretches around the Mary Burn have proved successful most days. The lower Ahuriri has been a popular haunt for many, with good numbers of fish being seen and caught. The upper Ahuriri opened earlier this month and early reports have been a bit disappointing, but windless days have proven a bonus for many. The lakes are all fishing well, although the La Nina conditions have made for many an easterly wind blowing up in the afternoons and putting an early end to fishing prospects. However the early morning sessions have proven a great success.

The cicadas are already starting their chirping and with the settled weather looking likely to continue it is bring on summer, with most rivers still being at reasonable levels despite a distinct lack of rain in the headwaters. Enjoy your Christmas break in the high country but do remember to fish responsibly. Don’t forget the kids fishing day on Kelland’s Ponds on the Wednesday the 29th for kids under 12 only. Salmon will be especially released into the ponds for the youngsters to enjoy the day.

The norwest conditions of last week produced a small increase in flows into the Ahuriri and Rangitata Rivers however the rise was minimal and they are presently dropping back with the Rangitata at 120 cumecs and the Ahuriri River at 26 cumecs.

The Hakataramea and Maerewhenua Rivers are looking decidedly poor, flows are now at 1.4 and 1.08 cumecs respectively. The Kakanui and the Waihao are at a low flow of 700 and 320 litres per second respectively.

Salmon are still attracting anglers to the hydro canals and I heard of a Canterbury angler who after a salmon catching venture returned the following weekend, last weekend, where he hooked and landed a 10.8kg (24lb) rainbow trout.
The Rangitata River produced its first sea run salmon last weekend, details on size are sketchy but it was reported to be “a good one”.

The weekend weather is looking unsettled however river conditions wont change. All waters are fishable with levels in smaller rivers still falling. For the fly caster, brown beetles are flying, the night air on Wednesday was filled with their continual drone, and this will provide some opportunities for evening and night fishing. Good falls of May fly “spinners” have been seen on the Waitaki River, and no doubt other waters, and from my experience when the trout are switched on to these they are not very interested in any fly sitting high and dry. Make sure you have some of these in the fly box.

The long weekend just past produced a hint of the summer to come. With the fine weather and a respite from the ever present wind the regions trout population lowered slightly with a percentage becoming more educated than they were during the previous week. Although I can’t speak from personal experience, no cork grips for me, unfortunately I was attached to a paint brush for most of the time on overdue home maintenance, the Valley lived up to its reputation and produced ample numbers fish in the lakes and the Waitaki River which would be difficult to equal in any other region.
With the recent long weekend now just a pleasant memory, many anglers are looking ahead to the first weekend of the High Country water, with opening day falling on the 6th, (not the 1st) I have received calls from concerned anglers who firmly believe that the high country season is often fished early, sometimes in ignorance but of concern it is believed a small number of miscreants will risk an early opening to be first to fish the new population of post spawners. Information on breaches of the regulations given to Fish and Game Officers will be followed up, you are not dobbing in an angler you are protecting the fishery and your future recreation.

In lakes trout will patrol the lake bed searching for prey. These food items can include small fish such as bullies, galaxids (lake limited species of whitebait) juvenile trout and salmon, aquatic invertebrates which could include the larvae of midges, caddis fly, damsel fly and dragon fly. Snails are an important food for lake dwelling trout as are crayfish if they are present Surface feeding occurs periodically as aquatic larvae pupate and the adult flying insect emerges, generally however most feeding by trout and salmon is on the substrate or amongst weed beds. It makes sense to cast or troll lures into the area where fish will be hunting for food. Knowing that the lure we are using will “swim” at 2 metres it would be pointless trolling in water 10 meters deep. The trout is unlikely to see it and is less likely to rise up to investigate it. On a clear day we can guess the depth of water by the colour of the lake bed this is easier if using Polaroid lenses. On dull days or when the lake is choppy or fishing at night estimating depth is difficult and for this reason you will see most dedicated trollers have a “fish finder” or sounder mounted in their boat. This takes all the guesswork out of operating lures in the appropriate depth of water and subsequently provides a better catch rate.

A long weekend ahead and an encouraging weather forecast will see a migration of anglers heading west for the first 3 day weekend of the fishing season. They will be hoping for a let up in the prevailing “southerly” which has been blasting the region with considerable vigour for several days. After the initial enthusiasm of the opening weeks all but over, many anglers are looking forward to the opening of the high country waters which for those who have difficulty with dates is not the first of November but the first Saturday in November which this year falls on the 6th. Similarly the upper Ahuriri River valley waters, upstream of Longslip Creek, opens on the first Saturday in December not the first of December. The first Saturday in December is the 4th of December.

While in “regulation mode” several calls have been incoming to Fish and Game regarding Lake Opuha daily bag limits. For some reason the limit bag for trout has been omitted. On page 30 of the "South Island Sports Fishing Regulations 2010-2011" " Opuha, Lake and its tributaries” presently reads “6 trout or salmon total and no more than to be trout or 6 to be salmon". Obviously there is a number missing and that number is 4. It should read " 6 trout or salmon total and no more than 4 to be trout or 6 to be salmon".

Recent angler feed back has been minimal however there is activity in coastal waters as sea run “browns” target migratory indigenous fish species. One report received from our northern border, an angler fishing the lower Rakaia noted that his sea run trout had been feeding exclusively on bullies. In the Waitaki River rainbow trout are still out competing brown trout and if there was to be a condition factor competition the rainbows would not be beaten.

River flows have remained reasonably steady, flow charts showing that a the decline has slowed and in the snow fed waters with the norwester of last weekend flows increased. The Rangitata increased to about 175 cumecs but is dropping and now at 89 cumecs, the Opihi River has increased slightly and presently flowing at 8 cumecs. The Kakanui River is carrying a good flow of 4.4 cumecs. The Waitaki River flow which was low last weekend, creating “cautious” launching at Kurow, is expected to be in under 300 cumecs but in the high 200’s this weekend.

With the last weekend and one week of the traditional season left my new rod remains pristine and unbent the matching line spooled but not stretched. Such is life. I may be tempted to partake in some lake fishing during the winter season but temperatures will have to be above freezing level and the fish will need to be numerous. There is an attraction to fishing lake inflows at night prior to spawning migrations. As any angler knows it is during the spawning period that large fish are seen on the spawning grounds , fish you never see cruising the lake edge or on the end of your line. Fishing slow and deep, in the dark there is the expectation that if there are big fish about then I’m in the right place at the right time to catch one.

Without looking in great depth at the season past, I think generally it has been a good one for anglers and for me. The trout in lower Waitaki River were particularly good in size and condition, however the fish in the upper reaches were disappointing, in encouraging numbers but 80% of them needed a good meal. The Waitaki lakes amazingly continue to provide for the many people that flock there. Families, boaties, campers, visitors and tourists all seem to be able to catch a fish. For many catching their first fish is a huge event and the lakes provide ample opportunity to do this. They are truly amazing fisheries.

Lake Ohau has had good days however the El Nino weather patterns and the norwest wind it creates certainly affected the amount of angler hours on this, my favourite high country lake.

Sockeye salmon runs from Lake Benmore exceeded expectations with increased numbers and larger fish seen compared with previous years. These brilliant little fish while not a common fish in the anglers bag do provide the trout fishery and the lake limited Chinook salmon fishery with an excellent food source. The young enter the lakes from their spawning tributaries soon after hatching . Their existence must be a perilous one and many fall victim to predatory brown and rainbow trout.

Chinook salmon appear less in the Rangitata River, more in the Opihi, and in the Waitaki River the harvest was better than last year especially in the upper River where salmon numbers were the he highest I have seen for many years. Local anglers here have a limited opportunity to catch salmon in their own back yard as traditionally the fish don’t get to the upper reaches until late in the season. This year was different , perhaps as a result of the high flows, salmon were enticed to travel further and perhaps faster with fish caught here in February.

The drought which is ongoing, affected important small fisheries such as the Hakataramea, Maerewhenua Rivers in the Waitaki Valley which have stopped flowing. Rivers to the north and the Kakanui to the south are still suffering from low flows and last week salvage of stranded fish was carried out by Temuka based Fish and Game Staff. In South Canterbury waters In the Hakataramea something in the order of 8000 juvenile salmonids have been rescued and released into permanent water downstream. The Ahuriri River, mean flow of 25 cumecs. dropped down to just under 8 cumecs and if you are an experienced Ahuriri adherent you will know that trout in this river go “doggo” at about 10 cumecs. You can find them but you can’t catch them.

The searun salmon season is now closed in the Central South Island region and for those who are gamebird hunters attention will be diverted as the anticipation grows for opening morning. While the days are shorter and the weather is getting cooler some good angling opportunities exist for those prepared to find them.

Trout preparing for spawning will begin congregating at the mouths of many streams especially in the hydro lakes. Night fishing can be productive in these areas however make sure to pile on the winter woollies so you can enjoy your angling. The Hydro canals themselves also provide good angling as the summer crowds have disappeared and fish prepare to spawn. The best places tend to be at the head of each canal as both trout and salmon try to find suitable spawning areas. Due to the lack of suitable spawning gravels many eggs are just shed into the water so an ova imitation works well at this time of year.

The first salmon spawning count in the upper Rangitata has been completed and shows reasonable numbers of fish escaped anglers. 512 salmon were counted in Deep Creek and Deep Stream. While this may not seem like a lot of fish peak spawning is still a week or two away so we should see more fish on the spawning grounds during the second count. What was interesting during the spawning count was the infestation of didymo in Deep Creek. Deep Creek tested positive for the invasive diatom last year however there is no sign of it in the mainstem of Deep Creek. A small adjacent rainfed stream tells a different story with thick mats easily visible from the air however once this stream reached Deep Creek no mats anywhere. I hope that this means that the number one salmon spawning area in the Rangitata will not be affected by didymo and salmon can go about their business uninterrupted.

The salmon season is all over! There is some debate as to the angler success rate on the Waitaki and media reports sourced from river mouth locations indicate that the angler catch is down on last year. This could not be said about the catch rate in the upper Waitaki River. In the 34 years I have lived here I have not seen such high numbers of salmon in the river nor seen such a good catch rate by local anglers, a bit of a luxury for them as historically the salmon are not usually here in fishable numbers until April. Kurow boat launching ramp has been well used during the last two months.

During past salmon trapping operations on the Hakataramea River it was important to ensure the trap was in and operating by the first day of April. The first salmon entered the trap during the first week in April.

Anglers fishing from the shore at the Waitaki River mouth have not had ideal fishing conditions due to the river flowing directly into the ocean. There is no deviation or a lagoon through which salmon must pass to access the river proper. This compressed salmon fishing area provides limited opportunity for shore based anglers and could well be a contributing factor in terms of fish numbers caught at the river mouth. Boat anglers have the advantage of being mobile and therefore able to choose optimum fishing sites. Anglers comment on the lack of good “salmon holes” this season

With the last, long holiday weekend of the fishing season upon us, the angler traffic will be high on the valley lakes. In the coastal and mid district waters there has be a minimal lifting in flow, enough to allow restricted irrigation take for some irrigators on the Hakataramea River but no improvement for in stream inhabitants. The Ahuriri River shot up to 40 cumecs but is back down to about 12 cumecs today. With Lake Manapouri rapidly filling and power generation using the excess water there, anglers should see lower flows in the Waitaki River with predictions of 200 to 250 cumecs for the holiday weekend.

One can almost guarantee that trout anglers will hook salmon throughout the next month, that’s Murphy’s Law. As tempting as it will be to retain the fish for the bag, especially if like me you haven’t landed one this year, the season is closed and all salmon must be released back to the water unharmed. Historically Easter weekend has always been a weekend where salmon get caught, and so do anglers.

Unbelievably, flows in drying rivers have dropped even further resulting in more fish rescues. Southerly showers since friday last have barely wet the ground. The Hakataramea River is now flowing under half a cumec, 490 litres per second at the gauge near State Highway 83 bridge but at least 7 kilometres of riverbed upstream of here is dry. The Maerewhenua River is at 380 litres per second, these two important trout fisheries are, not surprisingly, receiving minimal interest from anglers.

Driving up the valley on Saturday morning I passed the three lakes without seeing an angler, nor did I see an angler on the Ahuriri River from Omarama to Birchwood Road. The Ahuriri River is looking very “skinny” and running at less than 8 cumecs.

Hamish Stevens from our Temuka office reports that salmon fishing in the Rangitata River is not wonderful, low and clear with the Klondike gauge showing only 43 cumecs. He believes that the Opihi River may be a better choice until a norwester provides an increase in flow and colour.

The Waitaki River has been producing very well, and it will be interesting to see from the aerial spawning survey planned for May how the fish numbers compare with previous counts. Reel Life reader Gaynor Henderson sent a nice image of her husband and the results of a mornings fishing on the Waitaki River in late February. Good effort Bruce!

With the salmon fishing season coming to an end, I still have every intention of catching my first “sea run” for the season, I came very close to achieving this on Monday evening. Casting into the Waitaki River, spurred on by the occasional broaching of a salmon, not huge but a salmon, an hour or so of fishing had passed uneventfully. As darkness increased casting became a little lackadaisical and we were talking about things not even related to fishing, as you do, and as is often the case when doing this, my line stopped and the rod bowed. There was a whoop from one of the party as he grabbed the net. At that very moment the angler standing next to me lifted his rod which too was well bent on a fish. Much excitement, a double hook up! I wasn’t sure but I did say from the outset that I doubted if my fish was a salmon. A brown trout of about 2kg surfaced which did not surprise me but I have to admit it was a bit disappointing, especially with a salmon stretching a line beside me. The netter scooped my trout from the water, the spinner dislodged and assisted by the thrashing of the trout, the treble hook became firmly embedded in the weave of the net. After some panicky and unsuccessful attempts to remove it by the netter, and concerned calls increasing in volume from the angler hanging on to a feisty “12 pounder” , without any consultation, my line was “cut” with the hot end of a cigarette and net and lure dashed off to help out the angler with the “real fish”. I flipped the brown back into the water only to be told that it was wanted by the angler who was administering the coup de grace to his salmon. “Tough” I thought retying my retrieved lure. No other fish was taken that night. I must be getting closer to my salmon however.

Last week Hamish Stevens said he was going to the “Rangi” one evening for a salmon. “I’ll send you a picture of it” he said. He did! A whole 7.51kg of it!

Some time in the 1970’s I received a call from a Christchurch angler who while fishing the Hakataramea River at this time of the year saw a number of dead “trout” in several pools and washed up along the shallows. I visited the area to investigate the fish kill only to find a number of spawned out Sockeye salmon in various stages of decomposition. When the find became common knowledge, amongst local anglers there was immediate speculation that there was at last , evidence of an anadromous population of Sockeye salmon, a population rumoured to have been entering the Waitaki River sporadically over many years . These salmon were reported to be a different colour to most Chinook salmon and were often referred to as a “blue back salmon”, unfortunately no such salmon was ever produced for positive identification. (In its country of origin Sockeye salmon are also known as Red Fish or Blueback salmon). I collected several of the spent salmon from the Hakataramea River, They looked very similar to the salmon which appeared in Larch Stream at the head of Lake Ohau in February and March and in my opinion were far too small to have spent several years at sea. ( In their country of origin Sockeye salmon weigh 6 to 10 lbs with the Alaskan state record standing at 16 pounds) Fishery scientists soon put the “sea run” notion to rest when their examinations indicated that these were indeed lake limited salmon which had never been to sea. Several weeks prior to their discovery the hydro dams had been spilling due to heavy rain along the main divide and that time there were Sockeye salmon resident in Lake Waitaki and Lake Aviemore. Obviously a number of Sockeye salmon were swept over the dam crest into the Waitaki River. How or why they found the Hakataramea River, the birth place of their ancestors 75 years earlier is one of life’s little mysteries.

History has a habit of repeating itself. An angler E-mailed me an image of a fish he caught in the Waitaki River above Kurow. Caught on a feathered lure it was, surprisingly, a Sockeye salmon. What an exciting time this fish has had! During the spilling of January this year this salmon and presumably others went on a wild ride. First it went down the giant “hydro slide” at Benmore Dam, that would have been some ride. Then through the gates at Aviemore Dam and finally over the lip of the Waitaki Dam. While recovering from these traumatic series of events the fish foolishly snapped at a lure that passed close by. Hoisted out of the water it would have been closely examined by the surprised anglers, discussed at length and then recorded on a memory card. before being released. One can only wonder if the Hakataramea River will be its final destination.

Although cooler, the weather for the weekend is supposed to be more settled, the Waitaki River is predicted to be at about 300 cumecs , all other waters are low and clear.

Salmon fishing heads the fishing news again this week, and with only 20 days of the Central South Island season left there is a sense of urgency amongst anglers like myself who have not succeeded in landing one yet. Overall the catch rate is definitely an improvement on the previous season and my gut feeling is that this year not only are there more fish but there are more larger fish.

Lake salmon are also biting freely and after a call from me for river and lake salmon heads for this week I have parcelled up 12 lake salmon and 7 sea run salmon heads which are in transit to Ras Gabrielsson the Fish and Game researcher in Cromwell. He is most thankful to the donor anglers and asked me to pass on his thanks, so from Rasmus “Thanks!” And we’ll take any others, the more heads the better the science.

In the high country Sockeye salmon are still migrating into spawning tributaries and already for some, their journey is over. Redds are being guarded by spent adults, which in the days to come will drift off and die. My high country observer Ray Newman, believes that this years run will exceed any of the previous years and that in his experience there are larger “Sockeyes” in the run than he’s seen in past years.

Still with salmon, part of ongoing salmon enhancement studies saw Fish and Game staff spent 2 days on the Waitaki River this week, investigating preferred habitat for Chinook salmon juveniles

With further hydro power plans proposed it is essential that prime spawning and rearing waters associated with the main stem of the Waitaki are recorded and given adequate protection in the future.

The drought bites harder in the mid region as a southerly drops rain on the coastal strip. The smaller river flows, Haka, Waihao, Maerewhenua Rivers, are visually lower than I recall for many years however the readings from gauges don’t support my observations and some irrigation is still permitted. The Hakataramea River continues to recede above Wrights Crossing and below, and the salvage of salmonids from isolated pools along 7 kilometres of riverbed continues. In some of the larger deeper pools which are safe for the time being there is continual activity as the competition for space increases.

Rainbow and brown trout are constantly on the move in the confined space. Under natural conditions these fish would have been well spaced out over many hundreds of meters of flowing river. To find themselves confined with several others of their kind must increase their stress levels. It is noticeable that as the drought continues the condition of larger trout decreases and it is not because they lack food. They share the pool with bullies, young salmon and trout. Whereas the juveniles school together and do so for at least a year of their life, mature adults are sedentary and seek out a lie which takes advantage of river currents enabling them to intercept invertebrates either floating or in the water column. The trout’s lie will also be close to easily accessed escape cover. Any other fish which intrude are chased from this chosen spot however I guess size is important and if a 5kg “lunker” wants your spot and you’re much smaller, he wins. Having space is obviously important for river trout.

Willow Red gall Sawfly larvae, Pontania proxima, commonly called willow grubs, are now on the menu for trout in willow shaded waters. At 5mm to 6mm long they are very small but there is something about them that trout like.

When this seasonal delicacy is available and trout “switch on” to them, they often ignore any other food. When you look at a willow tree and see how many galls or blisters are on the leaves and with a willow grub living in each one there must be one heck of a lot of them available at this time of the year. If you have a fly tying vice the Willow grub is probably the most simple pattern to tie. A #16 or #18 hook some yellow or primrose silk and a spot of varnish or black head paint on the whip finish and you have a willow grub.

The trick is to get it to float like the natural, there’s not a lot of buoyancy in a hook with a layer of floss around it. Greasing the leader helps but often just landing it in front of a cruising trout will result in a take as it begins to sink. The last time I fished willow grub, with a ripple on the water the imitation was sinking immediately and trout were refusing it. On the top or just under the surface was fine, any deeper and no response.

The cicada hatch has been poor so far and the season is moving along. I think the few I’ve heard and seen will be the lot for this summer. Although in completely different habitat and requiring a little more finesse with presentation, tie or buy some willow grubs and find some nice “glide” water under overhanging willows. If there are trout in residence you will soon see them quietly sipping Pontania proxima.

As before, reporting on river conditions is quite simple all waters are low and clear. The Ahuriri River is at a low 9 cumecs and experienced anglers tell me that at this level although the trout are easy to find they are not easy to catch. The Waitaki River is predicted to be at about 350 cumecs this weekend, a good level for access and salmon fishing.

Salmon dominate the fishing news this week with an increase in the catch rate of sea run Chinook salmon from the Rakaia, Rangitata and the Waitaki. In the Waitaki River catches have been reported over the length of the river with a good number of fish caught in the upper river, perhaps the most salmon caught here for at least a decade. Often salmon caught in Kurow area are fish that have been in the river for some time and they tend to be dark in colour, this season however this is not the case with most anglers reporting their catch to be handsome, silver specimens.

In the high country Sockeye salmon began their spawning migrations from Lake Benmore with the first fish seen in the recently enhanced Ruataniwha springfed stream on the 25th of February. Ecan’s Ray Newman in Twizel, sockeye salmon champion and watch dog, reports that the largest migration he has seen has moved into this small tributary and that redd excavation is in full swing.

Lake dwelling Chinook salmon still feature in the anglers bag, and I have been asked to collect heads for Otago fisheries scientist and Fish and Game Officer Ras Gabrielsson. He is looking at otoliths, inner ear bones, and comparing them with otoliths taken from salmon caught from other catchments in an effort to obtain a “signature” of each. It might be that in the future it will be possible to identify the origin and life history of any angler caught salmon by looking at the inner ear bone. If any anglers are successfully catching and keeping lake salmon if they could freeze the heads and contact me I would uplift them at some convenient time.

On the trout fishing scene, continual norwest winds have been far from helpful and so it was on my annual trip to Lake Ohau. It was blowing strong when I left Kurow and it was blowing strong when I returned four days later.

In desperation after two days of wind our party sought some shelter at Lake Middleton. I haven’t fished here for 20 years and at that time it was overstocked with small “lean” rainbow trout 25cm in length. I embarked on a study and project to increase the size and improve the condition of the Middleton trout. This was achieved over several years by limiting the amount of spawning that occurred in the only tributary of this lake and removing some of the population. The fish that were caught were bigger and better and many of the mature ready to spawn trout which were tagged and relocated to Ohau tributaries were caught in Lake Ohau. Anglers and fishing guides at that time reported an increase in the number of rainbow trout caught in Lake Ohau and whether this was due to the project or just a naturally occurring improvement in a fishery that had declined markedly one could not be sure however I like to think I had a hand in the recovery, be it ever so small. I digress. After an hour or so and not a touch, over a “brew” in the shelter of the larches we decided to persevere as there was really no alternatives unless you wanted to battle the elements. It was good decision as the fish “switched on” and we began to hook and lose the most liveliest rainbow trout I have experienced for some time. It got to be that when you hooked a fish you expected it to leap in the air and toss the hook. If you were fortunate the lure was ejected after several leaps. After about 2 hours of action 4 rods had lost a dozen and landed 10 Middleton rainbows.. So 20 or so fish wasn’t too bad and quite a relief after two and half days of no fishing and no fish.

At about 2.30am the following morning I was awoken by the lack of wind! It was quiet and at 4.30am all was still calm. Our 2 boats were on Lake Ohau by daylight as we only had until mid morning before we were scheduled to leave for various parts of the South Island. I have to say I was “skunked”, my visiting angler however hooked 4 and landed 3 and I won’t mention the brand new $20.00 lure that a sizeable rainbow took off with due to the guest angler trying to wind the fish through the tip ring!

There has been no rain fall to speak of and rivers remain low and clear, the Ahuriri is at a low level with just over a 9 cumec flow. The Rangitata is low and clear at 54 cumecs and the Waitaki is at 300 with no major changes expected.

by Hamish Stevens

Finally some better news for salmon anglers well at least for those who were fishing the Opihi early this week. Two steady days early in the week produced 35+ salmon at the mouth with word getting out on the third day, anglers turned up en mass. On the third day thirty five anglers fished hard but only four fish were landed with one being a lovely hatchery fish caught by Paul Grant in the surf. One gut angler also had success with one snaffling his second cast of the morning. While the other salmon rivers are struggling the Opihi has been the quite producer so far this season and would be a good bet for some weekend angling.

The Rangitata has just had a small increase in flow from 57cumecs to 80cumecs however it will drop away very quickly and I would expect that very little colour will be left by the weekend. Hopefully this small fresh will draw some fish into the lower river as currently there are few fish about. Last weekend a friend from Dunedin and I ventured out to a nice piece of water below Wades that was holding salmon however after two fruitless hours we returned home empty handed despite seeing two fish porpoise. Other anglers encountered over the week report similar stories and I hope we some more fish soon or the Rangitata season is shaping up to be a bit of a disappointment.

Reports from the Waitaki suggest there are a few fish being caught but the majority are being taken up river as opposed to at the mouth. While the mouth was straight out a week ago and providing minimal room for angling I understand that it has improved over the last week and there is more water available to the mouth angler. The river has been around the 400cumec mark lately and I would expect little to change for the weekend.

Since my salmon fishing has been fruitless I will be heading into the high country for a spot of trout fishing this weekend to recharge the angling enthusiasm. I would expect Sunday to be a write off as high winds are predicted as a front comes through early in the day however Saturday will probably be better with light winds at low levels and scorching temperatures predicted. Hopefully the temperatures are hot enough to bring the cicada’s out as that can produce some exciting fishing.

by Graeme Hughes

In the valley and around the south yesterday a southerly front brought rain but too little to have any lasting effect on the low flows which have been on a continual, gradual decline. Flow measurements in the upper Maerewhenua and the Hakataramea Rivers show an increase this morning.

Salmon anglers will be pleased to see the Rangitata River as a result of 25mm of rain overnight is up from 60 cumecs to 120 which should provide ideal salmon fishing water for the weekend.

The Waitaki has been flowing at above average with flows mainly in the the 300 to 400 cumec range. The mouth has moved south and the river flows straight into the sea providing a very small area where anglers can fish for a salmon. Boat anglers are picking up a few salmon in the lower river however the pedestrian angler is quite disadvantaged and the lack of accessible salmon holes has been a common topic of conversation. At the popular Glenavy Hotel weigh-in several fish have been processed with them all arriving in February. The 12th was a good day as 4 were weighed in. I expect not all fish caught end up at the Glenavy pub but it is an indication that a run went through mid month. There are a few salmon appearing here at the top of the river but in the last week or so I have only heard of two being landed, one weighed 6kg, a clean silver fish, the other 7kg condition unknown. The Waitaki is expected to be flowing at about 300 cumecs for the weekend.

Tight lines.

Canterbury has been experiencing another mainly dry week and as such lowland rivers are at dangerously low levels. Several fish salvage operations have had to be carried out and if we don’t see some substantial rain soon more salvage will be required. Unfortunately this means fishing will become more difficult with the most productive times early in the morning or late evening when waters are cooler.

Salmon fishing has been slow again this week with only a handful of fish caught each day at the Rangitata and Opihi Rivers. With the Rangitata and Opihi flows at 61 and 6 cumecs respectively these rivers are probably in need of a small fresh to draw some fish in. During a fishing trip last weekend I managed to locate some very good salmon holding water in the lower Rangitata however I had to cover some kilometres to find them! Anglers I encountered had very little success and I expect the low clear conditions were not helping the situation. Fishing early in the morning or late evening and using smaller gear should provide the best chance of success this weekend.

Mid week I managed to tie in some hut maintenance with an evenings fishing at Lake Camp. I had previously made two releases of yearling rainbow trout into this waterway, one late last year and the other two years ago. I hoped that I might be able to catch up with one of the earlier released fish to see how they had grown. It was a calm pleasant evening and I felt sure that there would be some form of rise as I started fishing with a midge pattern. Nothing was happening until the sun dropped below the hill and then there were slurps and splashes all around but they weren’t interested in my midge pattern. Feeling something crawling up my legs I looked down with my light to find a large sedge seeking refuge from the feeding frenzy. With my midge pattern replaced with an elk hair sedge I got an instant result and after a short battle netted a trout just under two pounds. A quick check revealed the adipose fin was missing so I took a photo and released it once again although this time it wasn’t shooting out a large pipe.

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.

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.

by Graeme Hughes

Another week of foggy starts and warm afternoons but not much wind. With some high flows down to normal, the Rangitata, Ahuriri, and low flows increased, Hakataramea and Maerewhenua, conditions for fishing in most place has improved and is reflected in reports of angler catch rates. The Waitaki catchment is still showing signs of the “big wet” with the Tekapo River receiving 20 cumecs at the spillway and a further 94 at the Pukaki confluence. With these inflows the Tekapo river is still high and the Waitaki River is carrying 520 cumecs, further frustrating anglers. Meridian Energy tells me that Tekapo spilling is in regression and should be over by Sunday but the Pukaki spill may last another week. All going to plan and without the arrival of another nor west storm, not forecasted, the valley’s lakes and the Waitaki river should be down to more angler friendly levels by the first weekend of February. Salmon fishing may be tough going in 500 cumecs however the Rangitata River is fishable at 81 cumecs.

Writing fishing reports can be a hazardous pastime and because fishing is far from an exact science, any opinions expressed or experiences related by the report writer can be shot full of holes and often is. Case in point; after relating my history on Waitaki lakes at high levels and the difficulty experienced in catching fish a Cantabrian angler, David Barron, whom I have known since before he could swing a rod, comments on my miserable results when the dams are spilling and lake levels are up. I’m sure he’ll not mind if I repeat his comments and use his images which illustrate how there is nothing absolute about fishing.

Email from Dave:

Re “Lake levels in the upper valley are still high an although there are a few boats trolling, from my experience I have always found that during times of high levels the fishing is not great. I haven’t worked out why this should be. There should be some feeding opportunities in and around flooded shorelines and although I have commented in previous reports about casting worm baits to trout seeking out insects and worms amongst the tussock. boating and casting towards inundated shorelines has not been successful”.

I am not sure Emily will agree with your findings, we found the fishing great last weekend (Sunday 17th) Em caught six fish (majority released of course) in the space of two and a half hours (approx) with Dad only catching two. Boy an I getting sick of being out fished by an 8 year old.

What was of interest, was apart from 1 of the fish they were all great size. Her biggest being a 5lb fish. The rest ranged from 4½-3lb. We have never caught so many larger fish, someone suggested that this may be because they had been pushed back from the floods in the Ahuriri is that a possible reason or do you have another wise suggestion?

If I look at the comparable dates for fishing between this year and last we have approx ½ again more fish so the season has been quite good so far. Dave”
Of course I had to supply some sort of explanation and this was the best I could come up with at the time.

Response from Graeme

Hi Dave, Thanks for the mail and pics and too bad about being out-fished again! I should have been a little clearer with my experience re high lake levels and hard fishing. I was referring to Lake Waitaki which has no river running into it as does Lake Benmore. The fish shown do look like silver river type fish and may well have been ex Ahuriri River. As there has been nothing but flood after flood since early December this could well be a reason. Lake dwelling rainbow trout are sometimes darker, colour is often a result of habitat, i.e. clean river gravels compared to silt and weed substrate, common sense really, however sometimes colour will change due to the time of year, i.e. spawning colours. However there is another reason you can factor in and that is visibility. Floods have provided coloured water and trout will always hit harder and more often in coloured water. They have not the luxury of gin clear water in which to positively identify that what they are looking at going past ( and disappearing into the gloom) is really something good to eat. Grab it now or lose it in the turbid water. Often in clear water you will see fish just follow and observe, that won’t happen too often in coloured water. The most likely answer however is Emily is just better at it than anyone else. But that’s fishing.

Regards
Graeme.

A meeting of interested salmon anglers on Monday night resulted in a full hall at Glenavy with approximately 120 in attendance. CSI’s Mark Webb provided an on screen presentation on the history of the salmon runs and the search for options to increase the runs of salmon in the Waitaki River. Phil de Joux from the McKinnons Creek Hatchery followed with a presentation on the resurrection of the this hatchery and the results achieved to date. A popular proposal is the possibility of refurbishing the salmon rearing raceway at Bells property at Ikiwai last used by the Waitaki Valley Acclimatisation Society. Salmon were reared here with volunteer labour and I recall doing my bit when volunteers needed time off. I’m sure Phil’s images of their make-over of the disused facility and of spawning salmon returning to the hatchery last year has provided the “Waitakians” with optimism and enthusiasm to do something similar on the Waitaki River.

Successful hatchery operation involves the duplication of spawning fertilisation, hatching and rearing of fish, in this case Chinook salmon, artificially. If you know anything about salmonids under natural circumstances in fast flowing water this process has to be reasonably uncomplicated or we wouldn’t have any fish at all. However when you’re rearing many thousands or even millions of fish the opportunity for things to go pear shaped is ever present. I have worked in 4 hatcheries during my years in the fish and game business, Greenpark, Glenariffe and Silverstream in North Canterbury region, and at Ikiwai with the New Haven Company and later Sanford Limited. Five if you count Bells raceway, and with every new hatchery although technology has changed the basics remain. There is considerable responsibility in hatchery management and despite modern techniques daily maintenance is necessary and labour intensive.

While I have not received a contact address for the newly elected steering committee for the Waitaki salmon enhancement group, for those interested in assisting and missed the meeting, I will have one available for the next report.

I’m off to Norfolk Island next week, and will need to talk nicely to Hamish Stevens to see if he will prepare a fishing report.

A peculiar week of mainly damp misty weather, warm and with occasional showers. I’m expecting a good crop of mushrooms to appear as soon as we get some heat. Although trending downwards, high country waters are still high and low country waters get lower. This has had an effect on fishing with very little feed back to report.

The Waitaki River is almost back to a fishing level with it trundling down at about 550 cumecs, the flow should remain at about this level barring any nor west storms along the main divide.

The turbidity should begin to clear in the lower river once spilling ceases however about 300mm is still over topping Waitaki Dam. Salmon fishing is probably not an option in the Waitaki this weekend. The Rangitata is dropping but presently at 123 cumecs it must be almost fishable with 90 cumecs being the bench mark used by most anglers for successful fishing here.

Lake levels in the upper valley are still high an although there are a few boats trolling, from my experience I have always found that during times of high levels the fishing is not great. I haven’t worked out why this should be. There should be some feeding opportunities in and around flooded shorelines and although I have commented in previous reports about casting worm baits to trout seeking out insects and worms amongst the tussock. boating and casting towards inundated shorelines has not been successful.

The Hakataramea River is dropping after a slight rise and fish salvage is back on the agenda. It is great to hear comments from anglers and campers regarding the large numbers of juvenile salmon in the Haka. It is unfortunate that after such a successful hatch low flows are preventing their downstream migration and increasing the risk of predation by avian predators.

A reminder to anglers with an interest in salmon On the 26th January at 7. 30pm, in the Glenavy Hall there will be a public meeting to gauge local interest and to consider the feasibility of establishing a small salmon rearing complex on the Waitaki River. It will be manned by a rotation of volunteer anglers, similar to the McKinnons Creek hatchery on the lower Rangitata River. The proposers of the scheme have been very industrious so far and a lot of thought and preparation has gone into the scheme already. The proposed site is the disused salmon rearing race once owned by the Waitaki Valley Acclimatisation Society. If you have an interest in the future of Waitaki salmon the organisers have asked me through this report to invite you along to show your support.

One could honestly say the holiday period and the entry into the new year has not been kind to anglers. I don’t recall in past summer holiday periods such peculiar weather patterns which have endured for such long periods as has been experienced through late 09 and the early weeks of 2010. Temperatures have been lower, winds have been stronger and more frequent, and if it wasn’t blowing from the north west it was blowing from the south, rivers have dried and just recently snow fed river rivers have flooded. Snow on the tops, hail storms and electrical storms, we have had it all.

Despite the conditions which have limited fishing opportunities there have been good results from the Waitaki Valley lakes and from the Waitaki River. The Hakataramea, Maerewhenua, Waihao and Kakanui Rivers have been reduced to a trickle with significant fish rescue in the Haka required. Having cleared many drying pools of adult browns and rainbows the most difficult task is rescuing the many trout fingerlings and large shoals of salmon smolts stranded in long runs and deeper pools. Picking up small fish in uneven stony river beds is a slow and laborious job , but as each one is released into permanent downstream water it does cross my mind that it may be the one I catch 2 or 3 years from now. Small reward, but a nice thought any how. As I have undoubtedly stated before disastrous times for the fishery is a food festival for other riverbed residents. White-faced Herons, Black Shags, Terns gulls and Harriers are enjoying easy pickings from the shallows and in the deeper pools Black shags hunt larger trout which have little chance to escape.

Early in the week the upper Haka Valley had rain which produced enough flow to reconnect the pools in the dried section. While this may be considered beneficial. because of the time of the year, the low flows, irrigation abstraction and lack of rain, inevitable the flow will decrease. And the interconnection will only be temporary. During the fresh however, downstream migrating salmonid juveniles will have restocked the pools already netted and electro fished and the entire operation will have to be repeated.

As the season progresses in the Waitaki River an occasional salmon is being hooked with one or two landed. I’m not aware of any numbers but less than 10 is probably close enough. The news media has informed the country of the high flows which presently exist and it is doubtful if any will be caught while these conditions continue.

At present, rivers and lake levels are all at high but receding. With a reasonably good weather forecast for the next few days, i.e. no “norwest” storms, this trend should continue. The mid and coastal streams were less affected and although showing a small increase in flows will soon be back to the summer low flow range.

Do you want a salmon hatchery? How can you help?
On the 26th January at 7,30pm, in the Glenavy Hall local salmon anglers are holding a public meeting to gauge local interest and to consider the feasibility of establishing a small salmon rearing complex on the Waitaki River. It will be manned by a rotation of volunteer anglers, similar to the McKinnons Creek hatchery on the lower Rangitata River. The proposers of the scheme have been very industrious so far and a lot of thought and preparation has gone into the scheme already. The proposed site is the disused salmon rearing race once owned by the Waitaki Valley Acclimatisation Society. If you have an interest in the future of Waitaki salmon the organisers have asked me through this report to invite you along to show your support.

The weather forecast is looking settled for a few days and there should be lots of happy campers in the valley. All rivers are dropping and are at low levels which is disappointing. The Hakataramea is well under a cumec flowing at 670 litres a second which means there will be sections of the river already under stress. A continued run of dry weather will result in fish rescue from known areas in the lower river. The Maerewhenua is also very low at 720 litres per second. On the other hand the Ahuriri River is quite high at about 26 cumecs, just above its mean flow.

The salmon anglers will be massing for an attack on the Rangitata River as it slowly drops to a good fishing colour and volume. Presently at 103 cumecs it should be just right for the weekend. Apart from 2 sightings and one caught mid river the Waitaki salmon catch is so far a non event. With a sharp increase in the number of rods on the river over the next two or three weeks I guess there will be a few salmon caught. Sea run brown trout have been working the hoards of smelt reported at river mouths so if the salmon aren’t about and if the “silveries” are abundant targeting “sea runs” should provide results. The largest trout caught a week ago weighed a whopping 5.4 kg!The location is to remain unknown, I’m sworn to secrecy however the river is not a major salmon river which is as far as I’m allowed to go with the information or any future “good oil” will not be forth coming.

Locally on the Waitaki River night fishing has still been successful as caddis activity creates interest amongst resident trout. Of interest is the large number of long but lean browns caught in the upper river, above Kurow. They are beautifully marked and clean looking fish, just in need of some good feeding.

On Tuesday night 8 fish were landed all were released, however only one would have been considered a “keeper”. Brown beetles have been active at night over the last two weeks and an angler told me one fish he killed was full of beetles.

Salmon angling in snow fed rivers will be off the agenda this weekend, Returning form Christchurch last night Rakaia and Rangitata were both in high flood. No salmon caught that I know of in the Waitaki as yet, however there is a rumoured sighting which doesn’t mean too much to Waitaki anglers in December.

Trout fishing on the Waitaki is quite the opposite and at last I can confidently say “been there , done that”. The caddis fly population I wrote about last week was the catalyst and between 5.30pm and the dinner bell I quickly whipped up half a dozen of the “flymphs” I always use , and have done for about 30 years. You wont find them in any fly tying publication, it’s an original, excepting it did feature in one of Nancy Tichbourne’s fishing calendars a few years ago and at that time it didn’t have a name but for the calendar it was called the Waitaki Sedge, sedge being the common English terminology for caddis. While the creation is not complicated, it takes all of 30 to 40 seconds to complete, it is guaranteed to deceive trout when they are actively feeding on caddis, when the insect is leaving the substrate and making its way to the surface or scuttling to the shoreline in the surface film.
I digress. A little bit early on the river bank, I had a few casts to get in the rhythm and to straighten out the leader. I hooked three small yearlings in a dozen casts in the shallows just before the lift to re-cast. A good sign. As the daylight faded about 9.00pm, in the faster agitated water mid stream the occasional head would appear, not the slashing strike of a “glide water” take, barely audible above the sound of the river. As the evening progressed the fish as they do , moved in close until caddis were being attacked behind me, a meter or so from the bank. By 10.00pm I had hooked 11, landed 6, not forgetting the “biggy” that got away with the lower half of my leader and 2 hardly used flies. Several of the fish were in need of a series of good meals, they were lean and mean looking specimens, the rainbows of course were in excellent condition, and on being hooked spent more time out of the water than in.

Two other anglers who have fished the upper river commented that the brown trout were down in condition. With the amount of feed in the river this should only be temporary.
The weather was the main reason for the outing being a one off, however 2 limit bags were landed in approximately 90 minutes, just as the solunar tables had indicated. The catch rate was better than eight fish with several hits and two lost at the boat. For reasons better known to the trout, they hammered one particular lure and just to prove it wasn’t the angler we changed rods and “Yep”, they hit the same lure fished on the other side of the boat. A wonderful morning and my visitor well pleased with fish she took home.

The rain during the week has had a beneficial effect on the smaller mid region and coastal waters with a slight improvement in flows however the high country waters are in flood, the Rangitata peaked at 450 cumecs receding but still at 300. The Ahuriri River is high and discoloured at 80 cumecs having peaked at 150 cumecs. With so much water coming into the storage lakes there could be a flow increase in the Waitaki River but nothing exceptional probably no higher than 350 cumecs, however as usual, when fishing a river harnessed for electricity production be aware that levels can rise rapidly and unexpectedly.

The wind ceased and the rain arrived, not a lot, but after the drying “nor westers” any amount was welcome. The Hakataramea River flow took a nose dive in a very short time during the warm and windy period, however the rain has bumped it up from one cumec up to 1.8 cumecs. The Maerewhenua benefitted as well . up from .9 to 1.7.The Ahuriri River not affected by the southerly has dropped from 28 to 25 cumecs.

The Kakanui is flowing at .85 , doubling its flow from 400 litres per second. To the north flows in the Ashburton, the Opihi and the Rangitata have all had a small increase.

The salmon catch is not making the headlines however I did here from an acquaintance that 3 of his mates went out to the Rakaia River “just for a look”. Between them they caught 5!

Early Saturday morning I was electro fishing on the Haka River to capture different local fish species to display at the Lower Waitaki River Management Society’s “Waitaki River Celebration” held on the Kurow Island. The weather rapidly improved and by midday start time the sun was shining and the aroma of the spit roast wafted invitingly through the gathering of about 50 people. With talks on river birds and stream enhancement garnished with ‘home spun” poetry from one of the speakers, flax weaving and discussion on the plans for enhancement of wetlands and access along the Waitaki the picnic/ education outing went down very well.

A disastrous week if you, like many others, have taken annual leave for a few days fishing. The warm norwesterly gales have blasted the valley all week without let up.
This morning is quite refreshing with a light and cool southerly breeze barely turning the anemometer. However gale force winds are expected again today before a change to the south bringing rain this evening.

The country side has turned from green to brown in just a few days due to the drying winds and warm temperatures. Unfortunately and inevitably the smaller trout streams are receding as these conditions continue.

The Hakataramea and Maerewhenua are just above the one cumec mark at 1.3 and 1.1 cumecs respectively. The Kakanui is flowing at 430 litres per second and the Waihao coincidentally is at the same volume. To the north the Rangitata is at 123 cumecs down from 139, a result of the norwest conditions, but it does appear at this stage it will not be fishable for the weekend. There is considerable optimism amongst anglers, based on the fish seen and the those caught earlier in the month that as soon as it drops and begins to clear there will be salmon caught. The Waitaki River is predicted to be in its usual range for the weekend in the 250 to 350 cumec area.

Locally the few who I know have been out on the Waitaki with no hope of setting a dry fly anywhere near the target area, have been forced into a method an acquaintance calls “dredging”. Casting a weighted “Woolly Bugger” into deeper water has produced some very good fish. A fishing mate who has fished the Waitaki River Riveri for 30 years told me that this week he witnessed a fish caught which was the best conditioned Waitaki “brown” he has ever seen. So much for the effects of didymo.

There have been several reports of some good evening fishing to be had as caddis flies make an appearance on the Waitaki. My “caddis trap” has been operating and the porch window is producing an increasing number most evenings. If the opportunity presents itself, that is if the wind ever stops blowing, I shall have my first cast of the season somewhere along the Old Slip Road where the caddis “hatch” has always treated me well. In the good old days emulating pupating caddis with the right fly could produce several trout in the evening glow, where there was sufficient light to tie on a fly or new tippet without the aid of artificial lights. As the years pass the caddis activity has begun later, with the earliest swirl seen just on dark. In recent years the caddis movement stops at about 10.30pm to 11.00pm. In “the olden days” the hatch would continue until 1.00 or 2.00am in the morning. It was always a tough day in the office following a good night ( morning) fishing the caddis.

Another unsettled and changeable week, wind, rain, frosts and fresh snow on the tops, again. Saturday the ‘norwester” was up to gale force and although I saw optimistic boaters heading into an increasing wind early in the day, on my return a few hours later the lakes were devoid of boats and anglers.

At the control gates of the almost drained Ohau canal, 4 young anglers were trying to catch the large trout cruising in the permanent water confined by the concrete abutments of the control structure. While checking for the necessary licences I asked one youngster equipped with a worm baited hook standing on top of the concrete work what was the procedure if a fish took his bait, taking into account he was some 15 metres above the water. A blank stare indicated he hadn’t thought that far ahead. I am aware that the monofilament fishing line used in the canal is robust, I tested a short piece of the many metres collected in the rip rap immediately downstream of the gates during the fish salvage operations. On a reasonably reliable spring balance the line parted at the knot somewhere between 14 and 15 kilograms. In the unlikely event of a trout taking a bait or lure from the top of the gates, although the line may have been able to haul up a fish from the depths I doubt if the rod and reel would.

Gate 20, Ohau canal control gates, home for several trophy trout. When the gates are open the water is 5 meters deep. Food items swept through from the lake are intercepted by the waiting fish. It should be remembered however, they didn’t get to be large fish by being stupid.

A couple of other lads were fishing from the bottom of the canal opposite the control gates, oblivious to several prohibited access signs posted around the structure and in many locations along the canal. After explaining the risks they faced, Dad agreed the boys shouldn’t be down there. The message was conveyed to the boys however on my return 10 minutes later they were back at the bottom of the canal fishing. Don’t kids listen to their fathers any more?

I also spoke to an angler who the day prior to the lowering of the canal, while fishing at the control gates, had caught and released a brown trout which weighed 6.35 kilograms.(14 lbs) He told me there were larger fish than this in there.

Successful anglers are happy anglers and happy anglers are more likely to be sociable and inform me of the good season they are having . It is pleasing to report that I’m being told of good catches in the rivers and in the lakes with Lake Aviemore receiving special mention this week.

Small productive coastal streams are becoming a rarity. Many of us have crossed the diminutive Waianakarua River between Herbert and Hampden. As you cross the historical stone bridge you immediately see that the flow is rather small and probably of little interest to an angler. As one proceeds about 600 meters south you cross an even smaller stream which is the South Branch of the Waianakarua River. Here the hard smooth bed rock is a feature and you at once dismiss any thoughts of a trout population. Not important, but why not?

I had the pleasant task of introducing pupils of the Papakaio School, who were on a school camp, to a stream study on the very small South Branch of the Waianakarua River. Apart from fish, very few if any of the students had any idea that there were other living things in rivers. To establish what may be living in the stones and cobbles of the riverbed I use a very fine sock net with a removable catching container on the end. I place this in the river and shift the gravel and cobbles above it so any creature displaced washes into the net and finally into the container. Tipping the contents of the container into trays the sample produced many hundreds of aquatic invertebrates much to the surprise of the students. Even I was impressed! The samples collected provided the highest counts and the most species I have seen on any stream sampled in the region. I guess that in half a square meter of streambed the invertebrates collected would have been in excess of 1000 individuals and probably up to 1500. The catch included Sucker-gilled May-fly, the most prolific species, Spiny gilled May-fly, and Nesameletus, a swimming may fly. Net building caddis, green free living caddis, horny cased caddis, large green stonefly and several very large Dobson fly larvae Commonly known as “creepers” or “toe biters” they created a lot of interest with several ear piercing screams from some students and not all of them girls. The high population and the species diversity was quite amazing indicating that the water quality was as high as one could expect and that one could safely drink the water here, something that you wouldn’t do at home. Undoubtedly other species would have been present however time did not allow for such a study. But what about the fish? With the back pack Electric fishing machine I spent several minutes fishing around larger boulders and escape cover. An eel of unknown dimensions living under a fallen tree stirred up a large cloud of silt but refused to show itself as is often the case when hiding in dense escape cover. However Common bully, Upland bully and many Common River Galaxids (members of the whitebait family) were captured. Amongst the cobbles in quiet water, surprise, surprise, 4 brown trout fry of about 20mm in length, not long hatched were caught indicating that a pair of mature trout had spawned successfully somewhere near. The large population of galaxids suggests that there are few if any larger trout living here as the galaxid is a favourite food of trout.

The sun shone, bell birds called and large mayflies left the water on gossamer wings. What a magic place, a place which reminded me so much of another place, of carefree days as a small boy exploring the wonders of a small Otago stream. Although the trout holding capacity is very limited and you probably wouldn’t go there to fish, the value of this stream, unmodified and pristine, in my opinion is inestimable.

The weather predictions for the weekend again are not great. Presently and since daylight today the norwester has been blasting down the valley. If this morning is any indication of what’s to come it could be a warm and windy day. However, if the opportunity arises, all waters are clear and fishable. Levels in some are dropping and a good rain would be beneficial. The Rangitata River is low and clear the prospect of more salmon is slim and a norwest rain is wanted to replace volume and introduce some colour. At present it is flowing at 66 cumecs. The Waitaki River, still fishing well, is expected to be running at 200 to 300 cumecs for the weekend.

Fishing a #4 weight bamboo rod on feisty Waitaki River trout presents a challenge. But not an insurmountable one.

Annual Public Meeting

Next Thursday, 26th November at the Fish and Game rooms in Temuka Central South Island Region is holding its Annual Public Meeting. The guest speaker is skilled fly caster and tutor, angler and film maker, Carl McNeil. Carl’s award winning film “Once in a Blue Moon” records the mouse and trout phenomena, a time when prolific seeding forests produce huge populations of mice which in turn feed large trout. Carl will show a condensed version of the film, talk about the making of the film and will also divulge some “myth busting” information all anglers will enjoy. See you there.

Tight lines.

If I’d had the luxury of fishing an opening morning on a high country river or stream, I would have to choose one location out of 20, all but 3 of which are within an hours drive of my home here in the Waitaki Valley. They all fish well however I think I would choose a water where hopefully I would not see another angler, for me that’s the ideal. But on an opening day? Hardly realistic! By the time I cast a line I guess some of the trout I see will have already been fished for and for a few days will be on red alert and pernickety when selecting aquatic food items. Some would say that catching these fish will be more of a challenge, more rewarding and I’m sure they think that I should be quite pleased about that. Come on! Easy is good! Easy is enjoyable, I can handle a lot of easy fishing. Fishing is supposed to be enjoyed, not to be challenging. However that decision was not an option but from all accounts from several waters the weekend was a great success. There were plenty of anglers about but also plenty of fish. Saturday was a bit breezy however for Sunday conditions were ideal.

Fish salvage on a draining Ohau hydro canal was challenging. The organising and planning to cover all contingencies was a challenge. However the job is done the trout at risk removed and hopefully Meridian’s maintenance on the Pukaki canal is progressing favourably and the water turned on during the weekend as planned.

Two fish transporters and 6 crew consisting of stipendiary staff, honorary rangers and volunteer anglers electro fished 298 trout from the canal over a 2 day period. Areas of the canal still held water and the bulk of the visible trout population, probably 75% were left and will be safe until operating levels resume. Over half the trout captured were small, ranging from 300 to 400 mm in length, the remainder of the catch, brown and rainbow trout were larger with one brown male measuring 740 mm in length and weighing in at 3.6kg (that’s just under 8 lb in fisherman’s figures.) 232 of the 298 trout were tagged and measured and all these trout are now swimming in Lake Ruataniwha.

After a 4.30 am wake up call on Wednesday, we electric fished several kilometres during the day and by dark had captured about 200 fish. Although fish numbers were high, most of the catch was in “lean” condition, indicating that the trout population was too high for the food production of the canal. The bully population in the canal was prolific, and with this food source available and the many trout in poor condition it may indicate that these little fish are not easily caught and eaten by trout. At present the bullies are living in the substrate on the canal floor and look very available as trout food, however when the normal water levels resume their habitat will be near the surface on the canal sides in the cover of aquatic plants and larger cobbles. Bullies have always been successful when used by natural bait fisherman, but tethered to a hook does prevent them evading a hungry trout. Perhaps bullies in their natural habitat are too wide awake to become a regular addition to a canal trout’s diet.

Security is strict around the canal with all hydro roads closed. The public road, Glen Lyon Road remains open. Security patrols are on duty 24 hours per day.
The following day, Thursday, we were informed that not too long after we left Meridians security staff spotted several “locals” attempting to net fish during the hours of darkness. Of course they didn’t stay round to be interviewed however they are known to the on duty staff.

The following morning, we had a bit of a sleep in with a 5.30 am “rise and shine”. The last fish were released into the lake during the early afternoon.

During our extended walk down the Ohau canal an assortment of fishing gear and other bits and pieces were recovered from the bottom of the canal. In the first few hundred meters of the Ohau control structure we retrieved 5 upper sections from spinning rods, one hand net, two or three handfuls of spinning lures, lead weights, an illegal long line equipped with several treble hooks, and many meters of discarded monofilament fishing line. Further down stream from the gates, a street sign, sheets of corrugated iron, road markers and speed restriction signs.

Stranded fish and meat gathering opportunities bring out the worst in some people, and there are always a few who have to get a fish “hook or by crook” especially if the fish are in some sort of unnatural situation or where they can’t escape from. Security staff told us that several people with rods, I wouldn’t call them anglers, couldn’t resist trying to hook the rather impressive trout, some “double figure” fish, trapped in the water at the Lake Ohau control gates. Standing below a movable gate which is holding back a wall of lake water and trying to keep footing on large, slippery boulders is not the most sensible of pastimes and safety and security staff took a lot of verbal abuse from these people as they tried to keep them safe. While the “pot hunters” claimed to be licence holders and that they therefore had a right to fish there, they failed to understand that they were not on a river bank or lake shore but on a privately owned structure which provided a plethora of health and safety issues for the power company.

Back in the late 80’s when the canal was turned down we employed a helicopter and monsoon bucket which was used to move large numbers of fish quickly and safely to permanent water. From memory, at that time the canal drained lower, at a faster rate an there were more fish to salvage. Although “CSI Helicopters” had a machine and pilot on standby for day one, it was not required.

Meridian Energy staff had, at reasonably short notice, put a big team together and from our perspective were well organised. Communications were continual and staff and volunteers appreciated the assistance, accommodation and meals provided. All fish salvage expenses will be covered by Meridian Energy.

For those who stayed in the coastal waters for opening weekend, some were rewarded with their first salmon of the season. The Rangitata River has provided up to 5 salmon in the lower river and one well up river during the last 6 days. Undoubtedly there will be an increasing interest shown by the salmon angling fraternity from here on in.

Although the weather may not be ideal over the weekend all waters are clear and fishable. The Waitaki River is presently at 207 cumecs, it should stay between 200 and 300 cumecs however be aware on Sunday the levels could increase. As always treat the Waitaki River with caution and ensure you can retreat from any fishing location you have waded to should the river begin to rise.

The weather Gods are providing protection for the high country fishery, for as the long awaited high country opening arrives, so do the Norwest winds. With predictions of 100 kph gales and heavy rains the downstream effect is never beneficial to the angler. Fortunately the rain has been minimal, ranging from 31 mm in the Rangitata headwaters, 19.5 mm at Mt Cook and a mere 4mm further south in the Ahuriri watershed. The Ashburton River was discoloured but fishable when I crossed it yesterday, (Thursday) as was the Rangitata, fishing conditions were marginal at about midday. The flow is decreasing and presently is trundling along at about 100 cumecs today.

The Ahuriri River is flowing at about 22 cumecs a good spring flow, but there is a “smidgin” of colour a result of snow melt during the fine but windy few days just experienced. On Tuesday 3rd of November colleague Hamish Stevens and I walked approximately 23 kilomteres of the upper river, from above Birchwood Station to Irelands Bridge during a Canada Goose nesting survey. Excepting where goose activity required deviations away from the flood bed we had ample opportunities to follow the river bank. With visibility affected by the thaw perhaps limiting good fish spotting conditions to about 1.5 meters, it was an interesting hike which took a little over 10 hours. We saw many trout, we saw many big trout and although Hamish spotted a double digit specimen on my side of the river most appeared to be in the 2 to 3 kg range with 3 or 4 larger ones. Of course the area of river we walked is closed until the first Saturday in December and who knows what will be available in a month from now.

The Hakataramea and Maerewhenua Rivers will be a popular “close to home” venue for some anglers, fish numbers are always high at this time of the year and the flows which presently exist, 4 cumecs and 2.6 cumecs respectively, should maintain fish populations until the levels decline as the summer progresses. There is still a snow cap on several high peaks of the Kirkliston Range and this will provide a slow release into the tributaries which will keep the river cooler and flowing better for a longer period.

There are about 35 high country streams and rivers which will be fished this weekend. The snow fed waters could well be affected with snow melt but all should be fishable for the weekend, providing there are no major norwest rain events along the main divide.
The Waitaki River is still producing excellent dry fly fishing and reports indicate the catch rate is high. Jet boaters have a great advantage being very mobile but with weekend flows of 250 to 300 cumec foot access is possible to many braids of the river.

Kurow business owners and staff have been commenting on the many trout their customers have taken over the long weekend. The weather was great and the “Norwest” wind, a spoiler of holiday weekends, remained at low velocity.

During the week, I and Fish & Game colleagues spent 2 days sampling salmon fry populations on the Waitaki River in and around historical salmon spawning braids which were inspected after the Waitaki flood flow. Those that remain are of special interest due to the new hydro power proposals. Over the sampling period we accumulated data on 50 sites, i.e. juvenile salmon and trout numbers, lengths of fish, type of substrate and riparian cover, water depth and velocity etc,etc. Each site was mapped and photographed and at the end of project we became rather good at picking where we would find salmon and where we would not. Not all sites we electro fished looked productive. Surprisingly some unspectacular habitat such as didymo lined banks produced schools of salmon fry. At this stage it is difficult to say if the salmon were “just passing through” or actually living in those particular areas.

Day One was a brilliant sunny day and carrying electric fishing gear, buckets and nets from boat to areas of interest converted our neoprene chest waders into mobile saunas. Day Two was dull and overcast with the occasional rain drops threatening to ruin the day (electro fishing during rain events is not recommended, during these conditions there is the potential of electrocution of the operator). Each day however, may-fly activity was prominent and rising trout were common.

During the salmon fry sampling, jet boating over much of the upper river it was interesting to note the areas where the didymo was scarce, the production of aquatic insects, primarily may-fly and some small caddis species and the activity of many Black-billed gulls and Black fronted terns hawking emerging and flying insects. It was sobering to see how rapidly didymo has rapidly recolonised after the autumn high flows. During our sampling we watched an angler as he guided his catch through the flood debris. Unhooking a well proportioned rainbow trout before release

As a result of last weeks report, a grumpy emailer took a swipe at Fish&Game regarding the salmon fishing season being shortened by one month. “moreover this shows an arrogance by F&G ignorance of the Waitaki fishery, knowledge/history/local asset-value Waitaki is traditionally a late river. April is the best month for the Waitaki how can you deny our fishing in April?”

The reasons have been explained several times in several media, and his opportunity to provide submissions to the Anglers Notice have come and gone. After a few other gripes he does redeem himself a little with a short line that everyone would agree with, “all this aside, lets save the Waitaki!”

While most of my observations and reports comment on the success of fly fishing, an acquaintance told me how his two primary school aged daughters have been catching a surprising number of trout, up to 1.6kg, on the popular “soft baits” These are the “rubbery” fish shaped lures with an odd shaped tail so designed to vibrate much like a swimming bait fish. In three visits to the river, between them they have hooked at least 12 fish. Dad has been more excited than the girls and although they have had several fishing trips to the lakes with little success the Waitaki River has them really “hooked on fishing”.

All waters are clear and fishable , the Waitaki River is today running at 300 cumecs but expected to lower to about 250 for the weekend.

The last weekend of the traditional fishing season has arrived and it will be remembered for different reasons for each of us.

For the trout anglers it will be, I’m sure, another good season. Locally it is difficult to say if the season was better than the last or the one before. We have come to expect consistent, reliable good fishing year after year. Catch rate is affected only by weather and water conditions and of course the numbers of times we go fishing. It is surprising to speak with people who will tell me that after buying a licence they had been out only once or twice.

The canal fishers who haunt the salmon farm boundaries have taken probably more than most regular river and lake anglers and on average the fish have been larger. Reports I have received indicate that those that regularly park their camper vans and buses on favoured spots become very territorial and if a visiting angler should venture to close he or she is told in no uncertain terms that they are not welcome. One such mobile home owner going so far as to point out his fishing area upstream and downstream from his camp site. This is way out of line and quite unacceptable. On the Easter weekend one ranger checked 60 anglers lining the canal near one salmon farm. The enormous trout caught are lesser in number for what ever reason however two “17 pounders” were taken last week. To date the heaviest trout caught weighed 44lb.

Salmon anglers had better catches in the Rangitata River than those fishing the Waitaki. Not unexpectedly it appears that the salmon run in the Waitaki River picked up during the last week of March the last month of the shortened salmon season. This of course increases the numbers of calls to bring back the full season. While the salmon angler wants to protect the resource and will agree that Fish and Game as managers of the resource must act to do so, the calls for an April closing are becoming louder and more numerous. The old adage about having a cake and eating it, comes to mind. Catching more salmon will not increase the number of redds in the upper river. Dead fish cant spawn.

Didymo is unsightly and annoying but appears to be here to stay. Amazingly the trout population is still in good number and condition. The high flows of January did a great job albeit for a shorter period than expected. It was refreshing to fish the river unaffected by the horrible stuff. Work continues at the experimental site at Otiake with Environment Canada’s Professor Max Bothwell back in the country.

A short and final report from me. Thanks to the anglers for their comments and information received throughout the season. It’s pleasing to get feed back from licence holders. Thanks also to colleague Hamish Stevens for filling in when I have been away and for his reports of the fishing to the north.

Tight lines.

Hamish Stevens, Fish and Game Officer

With the salmon season over anglers attention has been redirected to trout angling again. Trout are often in peak condition before the spawning season and will be beginning to congregate around the tributaries of the main rivers and lakes. Reduced temperature at this time of year means feeding should occur throughout the day and a little red on the spinner or fly has worked well for me at this time. Although I have not wet a line recently, anglers tell me that the local rivers around Temuka are fishing well with hatches occurring throughout the day. One angler I spoke to had done particularly well night fishing on the Opihi, landing 4 fish in excess of 5lbs. It looks like we will get some good fishing conditions on the weekend so get out and make the most of it before winter tightens its grip!

Aerial live salmon counts are underway in the Upper Rangitata and early indications suggest that good numbers of fish escaped anglers this year and have reached the spawning grounds. The first count was carried out in early April and showed healthy salmon numbers in both Deep Creek (403 fish) and Deep Stream (230 fish). The second count has just been completed and is typically at the peak of the run, although some years the third count reveals higher numbers, which was the case last year. An increase in fish numbers was expected and that is what we got with a total of 1,362 live fish (Deep Creek 1,045 and Deep Stream 317) on the spawning grounds. These counts are about on par with last years numbers when we reached around 3,500 fish as a total spawning population. Three further counts will be completed before we can assess the total Rangitata spawning population for 2009.

Hamish Stevens
Fish and Game Officer

Graeme Hughes

Having fully recovered from an unpleasant ailment which lowered me for 4 days (the reason for a no show here last week) it’s reassuring to know that the medical profession are in agreement, “There’s a bug going round”.

The salmon season finished with a brief flourish. In the last 3 days I heard more about the salmon catch than I’d heard for the last month. Coincidence, the start of the Waitaki run or desperation from anglers? I know not but if the scuttlebutt is accurate the catch rate certainly improved over the last few days. This of course has raised the question “How much longer will Fish and Game insist on a shortened season?”
Catch rate is only an indicator of the fish population and not always an accurate one. Spawning surveys, in this case an aerial survey of the Waitaki River from the dam to the sea will provide the information we seek. Until this survey is completed in late May like everyone else we are only guessing.

My work schedule, shanghaied by illness, meant that my afternoon salmon fishing at “spot X” on the Waitaki, on the last day of the season, did not happen. My boatman went on his own. Within an hour the phone buzzed. He was pulling the boat out, he’d caught his two salmon and was on the way home! A smaller fin clipped specimen and the other about 9kg. I tried to sound happy for him.

The flows in all rivers although dropping are such that good fishing conditions still exist, a situation which we have not seen for several years. The higher flows should see spawning salmon migrate into the Hakataramea River and perhaps the Maerewhenua with flows of 1.8 and 1.1 cumecs respectively.

In the wake of some reasonably high flows one wonders if fish can survive the high and turbid flows. Although floods and freshes fulfil an important process, turning the substrate, controlling riverbed brush weeds, surely the smaller aquatic residents take a beating? The Maerewhenua River has had several short sharp floods and yesterday during a stream study with a North Otago school we looked at aquatic invertebrate and fish populations. I cautiously suggested that as a result of recent high flows the area we were looking at could be shy on aquatic residents. We turned up a host of mayfly, stonefly,” toe biters” caddis and large spiders. Suitably impressed I waded into the river with the electro fishing gear. The electrode attracted brown and rainbow trout in high numbers, not too many bullies, probably keeping well away from the trout. The kids and caregivers were impresses as was I. I have fished that same stretch for many years with school groups however this would have to be the most productive session I can recall. The Maerewhenua River at least appears to be in excellent condition.
An inspection of Sockeye spawning waters show that few fish remain. Like all Pacific salmon they adults die after spawning, The mystery is that the many thousands of carcases which should litter the various stream are not obvious. However the spawning beds are turned and clean, In those areas well covered with didymo it no longer exists. In their redd excavation “sockeyes” have cleaned the substrate of the diatom, while below the surface many thousands of salmon eggs are incubating.

With a string of frosts here this week, coupled with the lowering trajectory of the sun the need to get out on the river early morning is losing its appeal. With the salmon season now closed the pressure is lifted somewhat and whether I catch a trout during the next month is not as important. There are other activities to attend to, the “roar” is most important and of course the rapidly approaching waterfowl and upland game hunting seasons which open on the first Saturday in May.

If heading out for a fish in local waters remember the saw fly larvae, willow grub, is a seasonal but sought after meal for trout in slow flow areas under crack willow at this time of the year. The flows in the Waitaki will be lower (wouldn’t you know it !) 250 to 300 cumecs, The Rangitata is low and clear at 45cumecs, Opihi at 4.1, Haka 1.8, Maerewhenua 1.1 and the Ahuriri at a low 9.5.

Tight lines

Graeme Marshall, Fish & Game

As the salmon season closing date rapidly approaches my chances of catching a salmon this season are becoming less. One salmon is enough for me, two would be nice but highly unlikely due to the amount of time I’m willing to put into it. I guess salmon anglers are born not made. While the hours in a day fair whistle by when trout fishing I have to admit this is not the case casting for salmon. I suppose knowing that there aren’t too many fish in a very large river provides less enthusiasm; winning “Big Wednesday” could be a better bet than hooking one of these prestigious but elusive fish.

Possibly as a response to my comment regarding a perceived increase in the mid river salmon catch rate I received e-mail and telephone calls which suggest that this is not the case. Some catch data was supplied to support claims and the information provided reinforces the observations of many anglers this season, so far salmon appear to be less in number than last year.

The low salmon catch combined with the shortened season does not sit well with some. I have been told the runs are arriving later in the season and that a shorter season is doing little to save salmon but a lot to annoy salmon anglers. The obvious question to ask when confronted with the late run theory is, how do you know, what proof is there that the Waitaki salmon runs occur during the closed season? Observations of salmon during our aerial redd counts, their location in the river and their physical condition indicate that our counts are completed at the optimum time. There is no evidence to suggest that the peak of the run occurs outside the recognised fishing season. Sure, their will be late run fish just as there are early fish, however the peak of run has generally remained the same.

During my contact with salmon anglers it is obvious that the short season conservation strategy is a good idea if you’ve landed a salmon, but not good if you haven’t. My personal opinion is (ever the optimist) during that closed month, although I can’t fish for salmon, I have to believe that salmon are migrating into the river under protective status, and although I will never know how many salmon benefit from this safe passage, and the salmon wont know about or appreciate the protection, I do know that every hen salmon not caught is another 5000 eggs which will have a chance to hatch. That’s got to be good for the fishery and at some time in the future, good for you and me. Of course there has been the inevitable question “What if the shortened season doesn’t work?” There are never any guarantees. “Better to have tried and failed than not tried at all”.

With a good flow in the Haka it will be interesting to see how many salmon spawn here this year . Historically I have always had a salmon trap in the river by the 1st of April. The first salmon is usually caught in the first week of operation. Over the last 5 or 6 years there has been low flows and in parts no flow preventing salmon passage. During years of good flows, salmon ascend approximately 55 km to a point not far upstream of Cattle Creek bridge.

To the north, colleague Hamish Stevens reports that the Rangitata and Opihi Rivers are providing a steady catch rate and suggests that there has been a recent influx of fresh fish into the Rangitata River. The river has been low and too clear for good results however after a norwest rain on Wednesday it is rising and fishing for the weekend will be dependant on clearing weather along the main divide.

Sockeye salmon have created the usual angler interest. A South Canterbury man caught a fish he could not identify and left it at the local garage for me to look at. It was a hump backed male “sockeye”, a very nice specimen which I weighed at 1.6kg. Where it was caught was of interest. It had been seen by several anglers above the penstock intakes at Benmore Dam. Not a “sockeye” area at all. In its red spawning colours it soon became an obvious target for anglers. The successful angler eventually goaded the salmon into taking a silver wobbler. Sockeye salmon counts on known spawning grounds

The didymo experimental site has been modified to accommodate further research by Environment Canada’s professor Max Bothwell. The number of flumes in which didymo is cultivated has been doubled from 6 to 12 creating some interesting plumbing problems. It is now up and running and didymo cells, at present not visible, will be already growing in the flumes ready for Max’s arrival next month.

Didymo is becoming more obvious in many places on the Waitaki River. It is interesting to note however that since the high flows the diatom has rapidly reappeared and is insidiously colonising the substrate. The high flows which cleared didymo occurred exactly 2 months ago. In that short time didymo is now about 25 mm in lemgth and in the area I have been monitoring, a medium sized side stream, it is almost bank to bank. Didymo growth is rapid, from zero mm to approximately 25mm in 60 days

Trout streams of the Waitaki Valley are still in good shape with 3 cumecs in the Hakataramea River, 2 in the Maerewhenua and 12 cumecs in the Ahuriri River which is rising due to the “norwester” mentioned earlier. The Waitaki is expected to be in the 300 to 400 cumec range for the weekend.

Tight lines.

Graeme Marshall, Fish & Game

The slow transition into winter came to an abrupt end this week with strong southerlies rain, sleet with a good coating of snow on the Kirkleston and St Mary Ranges. What ever happened to autumn?

Finally some feed back from Waitaki River anglers. The reported catch rate has improved and there have been several catches locally and in the mid to upper river areas, which is a considerable increase compared to previous weeks reports. I too have spent several hours on the upper river and although I have seen one caught, I’m still waiting for my first for the season, but I’m sure I’m not the only one.
On the 14th of March last year I reported, “Salmon fishing news dominates with increased runs and angler success throughout the Central South Island Region. This year the fish are larger and in exceptional condition, however a later run of small fish in the 4 to 5 kg range is now appearing in the anglers’ bag.”

To the north the Opihi and Rangitata Rivers continue to provide a steady catch rate however the Rangitata was again affected by high flows but is now clearing and should be in good colour for this weekend.

Sockeye salmon have been observed in most tributaries of the Haldon Arm of Lake Benmore and several anglers have been seen fishing for them. I’m thinking that although at this time anglers are not numerous, I’m sure this will change and perhaps this is not the best way to manage this valuable resource, that is, allowing fishing for them while they are actively spawning. Spawning “sockeyes” have negligible table value, from my experience zero value, spawning sockeyes are not spectacular fish on the end of a line. Fishing for them at this late stage of their life cycle, even though catch and release is being practiced, cannot be considered good management. As knowledge of this prolific species gains momentum Fish and Game will need to consider protection from angling by applying the March April fishing prohibition as applies to Larch Stream. In the 1970’s when Twizel accommodated the huge work force required for hydro canal construction, Sockeye salmon were targeted by unscrupulous persons who according to eye witnesses returned from Larch Stream with “sack fulls”. These were dug into vegetable gardens.

Trout fishing appears to have taken a back seat as angling effort is channelled into salmon before the March 31st closing date. Although trout news is limited it is all good. A Christchurch angler contacted me this week to report on his Waitaki River trout fishing last week. With colour in the river from flooded tributaries he reports that although the fly rod was their weapon of choice the water clarity indicated a change to spinning gear and that was the beginning of a very successful fishing trip. He mentioned Toby and Rapala (of course) as the two of the successful lures used by his party. They also caught a salmon on the trout rod which would have provided some added excitement. Thanks for the report guys.

Another report from a trout river “to the north”, sorry I’m sworn to secrecy, where an angler caught 21 on a feathered lure. The choice of lure used by the anonymous angler, a Grey Ghost. It worked amazingly well over two nights and as galaxids are rather scarce at this time of the year I suggested that smelt may have been present. This suggestion was supported by the angler’s observation that one trout “coughed up a silvery,” so there you are. The Grey Ghost was primarily a pattern tied to represent a whitebait but is known to work well when the common smelt or “silvery” are on the menu. While we usually regard smelt as a spring, early summer migrant, this may not always be the case. Coastal anglers use the natural as bait or cast an artificial to successfully target estuarine and lower river brown trout, something we upriver anglers seldom take the opportunity to do. Obviously this angler was in the right place with the right fly at the right time.

River flows throughout the region are at optimum levels. Trout streams are at about their mean flow which is not usual for this time of the year. The salmon rivers Rangitata and Waitaki are at 72 and 420 cumecs respectively, the “Rangi” is dropping and the Waitaki is expected to be within the 350 to 400 cumec range for the weekend.

Tight lines.

Graeme Marshall, Fish & Game

After yet another rain event, the smaller low country rivers creeks and streams are dropping, they still show some colour but all are fishable. The larger salmon rivers, the Rangitata and Waitaki are fishable and with the “Rangi” clearing and down to about 90 cumecs it will fish well over the next few days. Hamish Stevens tells me that the Opihi River mouth and lagoon will also produce salmon this weekend. He also reports that salmon are being caught in the surf at various places along the South Canterbury coast and not necessarily where there is an outflow. A number of adipose fin clipped fish are being caught and Fish and Game would appreciate reports of the fin clipped catch and the heads from these fish.

The Waitaki has been flowing at about 400 cumecs for the week. Unlike the Rangitata River salmon are not plentiful. Angler reports indicate that salmon are throughout the length of the river and although the occasional fish is being caught the sight of a salmon breaking the surface is a rare occurrence which could suggest there may not be many fish in the river. Seeing salmon is an important part of salmon fishing. Salmon anglers are well known for their “stickability” A salmon angler will “hammer away” for at least 4 hours on a salmon hole without sighting a movement. A salmon showing itself mid river however will keep the angler casting for at least another two. Fred Streever. American hunting and fishing author of yesteryear could well have been talking about salmon fishers when he said “There are two reasons for the proverbial persistence of anglers. The first is that the fish are biting; the second is that they are not. Either is sufficient justification for fishing a little longer.”

A fishing acquaintance tells me has been on the Waitaki salmon fishing on 6 occasions and has enjoyed “6 hook ups”. Of course only half of these have been landed and one of the smaller specimens was adipose fin clipped. A Rangitata fish with a crook compass? Keep an eye peeled for the missing fin, that’s the small fatty dorsal fin just forward of the tail. It’s been a long time since we’ve had to look for this missing appendage and in all the excitement of landing a salmon a fin clip can easily be missed. If you catch a fin clipped salmon, please contact Fish and Game and we will arrange to uplift the head.

Salmon of the smaller variety have begun their spawning migrations and a check of Lake Benmore tributaries revealed sockeye salmon in their hundreds moving upstream. For the next 3 weeks theses streams will be far from peaceful as the paired salmon protect their chosen patch from intruders and excavate their redds.

My absence and failure to write a fishing report last week was of course for all the right reasons, I went fishing. The annual Lake Ohau get together of 4 family members, an event we look forward to in March of every year. Two boats four rods and four outings, mornings and evenings, resulted in a catch of 25 fish with 7 lucky ones making good their escape. Same time same place last year? 16 landed and 4 escapees. With light winds, times of low cloud cover, a bit of rain and a little sunshine the conditions were ideal for trolling. Most were brown trout from the top of the lake and when we moved to the outlet end we caught “rainbows”. Can’t think why this should be, but it added some variety and fish performance definitely kicked up a gear compared to the more docile “browns”. The rainbow trout were in excellent condition while the brown trout appeared to be a tad on the light side.

The Dobson River was just clearing after a flood and as a result there were different degrees of discolouration along the lake shores. While a sparkling clear lake is a joy to boat on, I’m convinced a little colour helps hook fish when spinning or trolling. The very convoluted deep water drop off is not easy to follow at the top of the lake and without a sounder it must be a nightmare to stay in fishable water when light is poor or when there is a degree of turbidity. The incline from 50 feet to 3 feet (an American sounder) is extremely steep and the distance travelled from deep to shallow is only a few metres, in time, seconds not minutes. One has to keep an eye on the sounder or if conditions allow, the obvious colour change from deep to shallow at all times. As most of us know the depth our favourite lure fishes at, it makes sense to keep gear somewhere near the where most fish are living, on the bottom. No use fishing a jointed floating “Rapala” in 10 metres of water when the manufacturers advise it will only dive to 4.3 metres. It is doubtful if it will ever be seen by a bottom cruising trout. Of course there is always the chance of hooking a silly “rainbow” lost somewhere in the water column.

The lake substrate at the river mouths, there are often three during a high flow, and for a considerable distance either side is almost desert like, submerged of course, acres of clean undisturbed sand, neatly contoured with miniature ridges created by the vagaries of wind and water current. No aquatic plants survive here due to the deposition of silt and sand transported here during floods and freshes, a safe place to fish if using expensive “body baits as there are very few submerged snags to get hooked on.

This clean substrate also allows you to employ a quite lucrative fishing method, that is, allowing your lure to bounce along the bottom. Each time it makes contact with the bottom the disturbance lifts a small cloud of silt or sand. This must create quite an underwater spectacle which has proven to be of interest to predatory trout. Several of our trout were caught while purposefully trolling 4 metre diving plugs in 3 metres of water.

Another great weekend and another years supply of preserved trout for my visitors to enjoy.

The weekend weather forecast is atrocious however it probably wont make a lot of difference to the fish, unless the barometer bottoms out of course. Rivers may rise again and opportunities could be short term. The Waitaki River is expected to remain at about 400 cumecs due to the high levels of the storage lakes however other waters will be receding.

Tight lines

Hamish Stevens, Fish & Game

Well the weather has certainly affected anglers activity over the last week with some much needed rain filling our rivers. Waterways that were dangerously low and required fish salvage now have good flows after the recent deluge. Trout anglers heading out this weekend should check out the smaller rivers such as the Temuka, Orari, Ashburton and Pareora as these will clear quickly.

Salmon fishing has been slow due to flooded rivers however provided we don’t get too much rain the weekend is looking good. The Rangitata is coming off a flood flow of 375 cumecs and is currently sitting at 101 and steadily dropping. Unfortunately some returning salmon became trapped in a side braid as the river dropped and required salvage. With help from some visiting anglers from Poolburn six fish were successfully returned to the mainstem to fight another day. These anglers will not be lying when they say they caught and released a bag limit of salmon that day however the methods were not very conventional!

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

The welcome rainfall‘s effects were short lived and most rivers are still in decline. These conditions should change if the met’ office predictions become fact. The weekend is looking decidedly damp over most parts of the country, and we haven’t seen a weather map quite so gloomy for some time. It will be most welcome except many farmers have crops to harvest and it probably won’t suit them at all.

The Waitaki River was vey low on the weekend and talking to a generation controller he did admit that predictions of up to 300 for the 2 days were thrown out of kilter due to an outage at one of the power stations, and although he told me which one I don’t recall and it really makes little difference to anglers on the lower river.

The low flow of 177 cumecs on Sunday provided an opportunity to check out the state of the river with regard to the didymo and take photographic records. The river still looks clean until one takes a closer look. Re-colonisation is under way, not at all surprising but one lives in hope.

On many of the larger cobbles in the medium flow areas didymo is developing as typical “blisters” which enlarge rapidly until they envelope the entire upper surface of the cobble.

Several of the smaller side streams have retained well established didymo blooms which escaped the full force of the high flows. The algae is confined to a narrow strip along the shallows of usually only one bank. I didn’t pack a rod in the vehicle, I knew I would get sidetracked if I did, and there were more important projects half completed at home which needed attention. Perhaps I should have. While I wandered about looking at the different runs and pools, after considerable gorse bashing, I saw several trout take unidentified food items from off the surface and it didn’t take me too long to work out a route to get within casting distance. It’s the angler’s version of the hunters adage “The things you see when you haven’t got a gun”. Now I have to wait until the river is below 200 cumecs again.

Waitaki salmon have featured very rarely in anglers’ recent catch conversations, and while I receive the occasional report of salmon taken, scuttlebutt on the river is almost non existent.

I overheard an angler in a sports shop relating his recent trip up the Ahuriri River. It was a fishless trip for this individual. For those who know the Ahuriri River, fishing it at 8 cumecs is not easy. Providing the forecasts are correct this may change in the next few days and the river will fish better for it.

The climatic conditions have been slightly confusing as there was a skiff of snow on the tops and probably as a result we have been served 2 frosts. Heavy dew in the mornings. much cooler temperatures (and its getting noticeably darker) one could be fooled into thinking autumn has arrived early.

If you’re chasing the salmon in the Waitaki expect flows in the 200 to 300 cumec range, the Rangitata is low and clear at about 50 cumecs with 4 cumecs in the Opihi. The Haka has recovered very slightly and flows at about 800 l/s The Maerewhenua is at a low 500 l/s.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

Cooler weather brought welcome rain to the region. The smaller streams are responding but it will be another 2 or 3 days before the full effect on these waters is noticed. Locally the Haka and the Maerewhenua Rivers are rising which will save me netting / electro fishing which was imminent in the next day or so, to save fish caught in receding pools. Many thanks to the Weather Gods.

The long weekend saw a return of many holiday makers back to the lakes, however the weather would not have suited the trout with very high temperatures recorded throughout the valley and region. Despite the heat some returning home reported catching “a couple” which indicates the catch rate was not fantastic but for those who persevered rewards were forthcoming. Mid week I spent about 8 hours with a visitor from the North Island, an evening and morning. It was cold and grey with a brisk breeze from the south and the fishing was slow. An angler of considerable experience my visitor was knowledgeable on many North Island lakes, some with indigenous names I had heard of, some were completely unknown. We trolled Lake Waitaki where he caught his first salmon which he was highly delighted with and after a quick inspection to my surprise it was promptly released. A feisty rainbow of about a kilogram was not so fortunate and the following morning a handsome “brown” about 1.3kg was nabbed by my Rapala, restoring my battered ego having “missed” about 6 takes the evening prior). It too will be prepared for this weekend, at post wedding BBQ.. Of course my new angling friend, whom I had never met before, has promised to take me out on his favourite lake somewhere near Tauranga or we may go sea fishing next time I’m “up North”.

Another visitor in a campervan and towing a jet boat returned to the Kurow ramp having boated somewhere downstream where for the afternoon he had seen several Chinook salmon, caught one and lost one. Good news! So there are salmon in the river, and while the catch in the lower reaches is so far slow, if there has been any caught at all, there has been some migration and I suspect this probably occurred during the period of high flow we experienced recently. Already my plans include a jet boating reconnoitre in the next day or two.

Today was a miserable and cold day , a brisk southerly laced with showers making boating on Lake Benmore, Haldon Arm, not as pleasant as I had envisaged when plans for today were made. My job was to set nets in areas of high fish numbers located on NIWA’s high tech fish sonar device. This was to establish if the high numbers located last year were Sockeye salmon or trout. We suspected sonar contacts were sockeye. On one set today we were correct. Over 40 salmon were caught in a 30 metre net. However just to confuse our theory in another net set where sonar detections were numerous a similar number of trout, both species, were caught. It will be interesting to see the written report by the scientist who is heading the investigations, to me the results are not crystal clear. Of particular note is the large size of the Sockeye salmon. I have observed “sockeyes” in the Waitaki catchment since 1976 and these are the largest and best conditioned salmon I have ever seen. Although lengths were recorded the fish were not weighed. I guess the average weight to be 1.3 to 1.4kg. Magnificent specimens. The other surprise was they were caught at a depth of 29 meters. That’s a long way down for a species we are told inhabit the upper water column. Trout were also taken in similar depths. As most of the trolling gear I buy reaches only 3 to 5 meters the fish are unlikely to see any of my lures. Makes me think about fitting the downrigger on the boat again. As my colleague Mark Webb said today, “It must be like an aquarium down there!” Although Lake Benmore produces an extraordinary angler harvest per annum, the methods we use only target a small percentage of the fish population.

All waters are low, clear and fishable. Wataki River flows are predicted to be lower over the weekend, 250 to 300 cumecs. The Rangitata River, unaffected by the southerly rain is low and clear at about 60 cumecs.

Tight Lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

A long weekend ahead has seen considerable boat traffic on the valley roads heading inland for their favourite lakes, especially today Thursday.

There is a paucity of fishing news so this report will be short. I’m informed salmon have been plentiful in the Rangitata River although a low and clear river is not ideal for catching them. Hamish Stevens reports that earlier in the week there were some good catches in the surf. Nothing is happening at the Waitaki as yet.

During an aerial shelduck trend count Hamish reports some interesting observations in the Ahuriri River. In the upper river he saw a “good number” of fish (20) but not as one would expect , these were seen all in one large pool! There 6 anglers on the river, (where there were no fish seen) but none of them were any where near the well stocked pool Hamish spotted from the air. I wonder what it will take to prise the exact location from him?

Lake Waitaki anglers will have found shore fishing and boat launching frustrating. The lake has been lowered to facilitate clearing an amazing collection of debris from the grills at the penstock intakes. Meridian staff inform me that the level is on the way up and by tomorrow (Friday) morning lake levels will be back to normal.

The Haka River is now dry below Wrights Crossing and Foveran. A check of larger pools indicate there are not too many large fish to remove and transport to permanent water, the shallow pools are attracting the usual bunch of predators in the form of about 10 white faced herons, they won't leave much behind.

With a long list of domestic chores to attend to this holiday weekend the chance of having a fish is doubtful, but don’t mind me, you have a good one!

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

This report is not full of news excepting that I have good reports from the lakes but little from any river anglers. The newly cleaned Waitaki River has been “tough going” with reports of good numbers of trout seen but they have been hard to catch. There’s been no plausible explanation offered by observers. The fish appear to be ignoring nymphs but the occasional fish can be convinced to take a dry fly.

Lake limited salmon at Lake Waitaki are still prevalent in fact on a midweek morning harling session lasting about an hour, 3 were caught , the double limit bag being taken a bit later due to an increasing wind which began as a south easter and during the a period of about 30 minutes becoming stronger swung to the east, then to the north, to the west and finally steadying as a blustery “souwester”. A rather unusual situation while trying to keep a boat on course. I wonder how many salmon surfed over the crest of Lake Waitaki hydro dam during the spill. Quite a ride I expect but a much better option than the route down the penstocks and then trying to evade the spinning turbine blades.

No feedback from the Waitaki salmon anglers, the run has yet to start by all accounts. The Haka and Maerewhenua Rivers are running low and an inspection of the lower Haka on Thursday indicates fish salvage will be necessary in a week or so if there is no significant rain.

There have been a huge number of caddis on some of the windless nights. At the top of the Waitaki River attracted to the lights of Lake Waitaki Dam, caddis flies have been in clouds, however, if the trout are to be caught during these events one will have to be a “night owl angler’ as the activity was in full swing between 11.00pm and 12.00am. Although I was not fishing, I was checking elver migration routes around the tail race and spillway of the dam, the local wildlife were having quite a feast. The caddis flies attracted the local colony of black billed gulls, trout of course and some impressive sized eels. The eels’ method of feeding was very relaxed. No splashy trout-like rises. Patrolling the concrete abutments on which the caddis were numerous, the eels swam just under the surface and as the river level surged, like a mini tide, the caddis which were unfortunate enough to land within the low and high tide zone were washed off. The eels just “hoovered” them up. Unconcerned at me or my torch one actually nosed my toe ( well protected inside a good leather boot), as it pushed up out of the water hunting scuttling caddis near the water’s edge. Great to watch. The next calm night , when an early start is not necessary I should take my box of caddis ties and head up the Old Slip Road. I hope I don’t hook one of those gargantuan eels.
I received a coloured advertisement sent to a fishing guide friend of mine via email. This must be the ultimate in fish catching devices, but perhaps not.

Called the Strobe Lure it looks like many other wobbling body baits, rigged fore and aft with trebles hooks, however the 7 colours available are rather loud, red, red and yellow, orange, yellow, green, blue and green and blue and yellow. Sounds like goldfish? Well they are made in China, but here is the secret. Each lure is manufactured in such a way that the body colours fade to a semi translucent tail section, and in that tail section is a miniscule red light, and you’ve guessed it, as the lure swims along the internal light which is red, blinks in a +-+-+- - - - - +-+-+- - - - - +-+-+- - - - mode. The Strobe Lure or Blinking Baitfish is even more advanced in that the light is only activated when immersed in water. The manufacturers claim you will get 150 hours fishing with each lure but it appears that this cunning device is a sealed unit and disposable as there are no replacement batteries and no fitting instructions. Only available in commercial quantities, 324 in a carton they are as “cheap as chips” which also indicates that after 150 blinks it’s a “throw away”.

As dumb as the idea sounds there must be some sort of fish that will take one of these lures just out of curiosity. During daylight hours the effect will not be so pronounced but in the dead of night a mysterious red +-+-+- - - - - +-+-+, I don’t know, but I have my doubts. In saying that however I will be reminded if I don’t record the fact that I was very scathing about night fishing with luminous bodied feathered lures. Many years ago while night fishing in Deep Stream (a Lake Aviemore tributary) after my two fishing companions were hauling in fish left right and centre I had to eat humble fish pie and ask politely if they would loan me a “lumo fly”. The flies were charged momentarily with ones headlamp however later we discovered by activating a camera flash gun in ones pocket, so as not to spook any fish close by, provided such an intense light the luminous effect would last for at least three slow retrieves. It was rather weird watching a supersonic glow worm whistling back and forth during the false casts and then actually seeing it inching through the blackness of the depths. On occasion while watching its progress through the water the light would suddenly be extinguished, the result of it being engulfed by a voracious “rainbow”. Since then I have used them many times catching lake trout both “brown” and “rainbow”. So what do I know?

The weekend is going to be wet by all predictions which could be quite refreshing after the high temperatures recently experienced and it will certainly be helpful if going fishing this weekend. The Waitaki River is supposed to stay in the 300 to 400 cumec range, all other rivers continue to fall, the Haka now down to 700 litres per second the Maerewhenua at 480. The Ahuriri is on a downward trend at a low 12 cumecs.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

The week has been particularly warm and windy and high water levels is a common topic of conversation. The news media has shown us a lot of information and pictures regarding the spilling of water at the Waitaki Valley hydro power stations. Today the river is down 550 with a possibility of an increased flow should the norwesters bring more rain across the main divide today. I shake my head in disbelief when I read that the spill down the Waitaki River was to assist ECAN, Fish & Game New Zealand and DOC. With the lakes full and inflows filling them further there is only one action to take, let water go down the river and out to seas. While there are obvious advantages to having flood flows, whether we or the other organisations liked it or not Meridian had no option but to spill water. An obvious attempt by someone to grab some good PR.

That aside, although the new mouth is at present a high sided cut through the shingle dune, and from where I was looking a rather dangerous place to try and fish, the flat seas presiding will do little to change this. After a few days of rough seas the waves and tides will batter the beach into shape and the mouth will take on a more natural appearance just in time for the salmon migrations to begin. Waitaki River anglers will be interested to see what 950 cumecs has done to the didymo. The river is still high and discoloured however my guess much of the didymo will be gone especially in areas where there is some gravel movement, and on armoured substrate it will be “pruned” well back. Unfortunately this will only be temporary but again the decrease in the amount of didymo should assist anglers in pursuit of Chinook salmon.

All waters are on a downward trend this week, The Haka and the Maerewhenua remain about the same as last week but down slightly. The Rangitata is low and clear and with Hamish Stevens on leave I have no up to date information on the catch rate however I guess it will be hard going until the next fresh. The Ahuriri River is at about 17 cumecs and falling with several responses from anglers regarding the catch rate, thanks to those of you who did (If I haven’t thanked you personally), there is definitely a down turn and some have expressed their opinion that several floods over the last 3 months (7 events exceeding 50 cumecs) could be a reason. My opinion differs. The floods in the Ahuriri have not been large or of long duration. Really large floods can be devastating however the re-colonisation of fish and aquatic invertebrates is surprisingly rapid. I don’t have an explanation excepting it is not uncommon to have a “slow period” at this time of the year the aftermath of holiday traffic.

With the “silly season” winding down the catch rates fall at about this time and it’s not surprising when you consider the number of people fishing during the last month and a half. The trout population must have seen every lure available churn through their territory and every daylight hour they put up with the surface churned by boats and towed toys. Peace must only arrive when the lakes are stirred up by a roaring nor wester when the boats stay on their trailers. Predictions for the weekend are rather hazy, with either too much water or not quite enough. We anglers are a difficult lot to please. Of interest will be the condition of the Waitaki River when everything is back to normal.

If you are poking around the valley and Lake Waitaki is very high, either spilling or about to, a quiet stalk around the flooded grasses and trees may be to your advantage. Spilling during the holiday period was not an uncommon event as many “Fishermans Bend” campers well know. I recall friends who camped every year at Lake Waitaki telling me of the great fishing to be hadduring these events, in the shallows of the flooded shoreline. The rising water must offer up a huge smorgasbord of insects worms and spiders to cruising trout. While my informants used live worms and lobbed them in front of trout swimming amongst the tussocks and matagouri I guess the same could be done with a fly rod presenting a terrestrial pattern. The fun began when a fish took the worm bait. Due to the many obstacles in the trout’s path on its rapid return to the lake proper, many fish were lost. In my experience on Lake Waitaki, trolling during these times of flood levels were never very successful and it didn’t take too long to reach the conclusion that either the fish were in the shallows inaccessible to boat anglers, or that they were only interested in terrestrial casualties of the high lake level and ignored all other lures which represented forage fish. Who knows how trout think?

The weather for the weekend looks to be warm and windy for Saturday and a southerly change on Sunday. Despite the occasional showers the lawns are not growing too well and could easily wait another week.

Tight lines

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

My few days off passed rapidly and although I secretly stowed a fly vest and a couple of cased travel rods in the boot of the family saloon they never emerged until we arrived back at home base. Although I passed some clear rivers and big lakes while visiting in the far south there was very little time for casting a line. My most lasting memories of this short break was a visit to Milford Sound, a place I had never visited before and a place I have yet to see. On our arrival, due to the torrential rain I could barely make out the jetty with a number of what could have been tourist type ferries tied to it , the topography and the famous Mitre Peak remain unsighted.

I experienced a “first” while in Southland. I drove a borrowed, “nippy”, red convertible sports car, hood down of course, to the famous land ends signpost at Bluff. The little racer turned a few heads however the significance of the wind blowing through ones hair was lost due to the fact I don’t have a lot anymore, and having the heater on “full noise” to combat the chill blowing in from Foveaux Strait seemed a bit odd. All a bit disappointing really. I decided this would have been much more fun in the 70’s or perhaps even the 80’s. As usual I digress.

During the holiday period there will have been many many days where many many boaties never got their hulls wet. Strong norwesters have been constant! In these conditions there were many fishing days lost.

Boat fishing seminars

Otago Fish and Game joined by Central South Island held two boat fishing seminars last week, one in Cromwell and the second at Omarama. Over 100 anglers arrived at the Cromwell venue a day which was hot and windy. The Omarama seminar date coincided with one of the few days where the sun was up and the wind was down and we suspect that many who had intended to attend went fishing. You can’t blame them for that. About 40 were up early many of them catching fish before attending. The seminars covered subjects such as the most successful lures and how to use them, best trolling practices, harling and jigging instruction , information on best fishing areas and attendees were also shown the results of sonar (fish finding) surveys of several South Island lakes. The seminar culminated with the presentation of several prizes, the recipients registration numbers having been drawn from a hat, there were also several Fish & Game branded “give always” to all who attended. As the main presenter I believe the 2 days were very worth while, for both Fish and Game and the anglers who attended and it will be held again for sure probably 2011 but who knows we could hold them again next year.

Lake and river reports

It is now common knowledge that snow melt and rain have filled the hydro lake to maximum levels and spilling of water over and through the valley’s hydro dams has begun. The Tekapo received 100 cumecs for 2 days which will have provided a well overdue “spring clean. The lower river has been subjected to spill from the Lake Pukaki spillway for several days.

The Waitaki River is high flowing at 600 cumecs and predicted to flow at 950 cumecs on Monday. The high and discoloured flows in the lower river, caused by silt and island erosion will not be of advantage to salmon anglers however the high flows will open a new mouth negated the long haul to its present location approximately 3km north of the Waitaki Fishing village on the north bank or 4.5km from the south bank car park. To date I know of only one salmon being caught in the lower river, however there has been some good catches of sea run brown trout at the mouth proper. Didymo should take a fair pounding in these high flows which will improve fishing conditions when lower flows resume.

The Hakataramea River has remained fishable and although beginning to suffer is still above a cumec flowing at 1.2. The Maerewhenua is down to 500 litres per second.

I have received 2 reports this week on the upper and mid reaches of the Ahuriri River. No fish! And this from a guide who can see fish better than a black shag. There appears to be no obvious reason for and I would be interested to hear any news on recent fishing results from this river.

The Rangitata River has been producing salmon after a series of high flows. Colleague Fish and Game Officer Hamish Stevens on his first 2 days of annual leave has had some success. On a clearing river on Wednesday and Thursday of this week he took a bag limit each morning. He informs me he also lost a couple and released 2 smaller fish. The river is still falling, at 70 cumecs and crystal clear the catch rate will slow. With salmon fever cured he’s now on his way south to terrorise the brown trout of Otago.
Fishing conditions may not be that great for the weekend with high flows locally and rain expected.

Tight lines.

Lake Benmore the official top spot

27 December 2008

If you plan to fish in the central South Island these holidays, be aware that you are in the premiere fisheries in New Zealand....a national angler survey has identified that the central South Island had 250,820 angler days during the 2007/08 season...

"...Lake Benmore [is] the most fished lake in any of the Fish and Game regions and second only to Lake Taupo in angler numbers, but in the South Island, of the lakes tested, it's easily the most productive fishery."...

Two scenarios two different results perhaps?
27 December 2008

The flushing flow through the Opuha and Opihi River systems last weekend is said to have dislodged the aggressive invasion of didymo in the lower Opuha River, and carried the offensive mats to sea. There endeth the first scenario.

At the Tekapo River, didymo has caused a number of anglers to vacate the fishery in favour of lake fishing, or moving to less effected water.

With this week's newspaper report that Meridian Energy is likely to release a flushing flow down the Tekapo River, comes the realisation that didymo mats could end up in the Haldon Arm of Lake Benmore....

Hamish Stevens, CSI Fish and Game Officer

Salmon fishing has been rather slow in the Rangitata but it may not be due to lack of fish. The Rangitata has run high for over a month now, not dropping below 100 cumecs which is considered by many as the optimum flow for salmon fishing. Despite the lack of fishing windows some Rangitata anglers have done well upriver, with one lucky angler landing 5 fish so far. Surf fishing has been rather unproductive with the total number of fish landed on the south side for the season only just in double figures. Rough seas and high river flows have been the major obstacle but if the anglers upriver are any indication there are fish going through. Another fresh on Tuesday saw the river rise to 230 cumecs making the river unfishable for spin anglers until sometime next week, if we don’t get any more rain! However once the river drops to below 100 cumecs fishing should be good with salmon well distributed throughout the river.

Coastal rivers such as the Opihi, Tengawai and Pareora all received a much needed fresh earlier in the week. The upper Opihi in particular was suffering from didymo growths which hopefully will have been dislodged by the higher flows and both the Pareora and Tengawai were dangerously low before the rain. Provided the rain predicted for Friday/Saturday is not too serious these rivers should be in good condition for angling on the weekend.

Lake Tekapo has filled and is the highest I have ever seen it. Despite this the flows going through the spillway have not yet reached the river and instead have been taken back into the canal immediately below the township. The Tekapo River needs a good fresh as didymo growths this year have made angling difficult so we are keeping our fingers crossed for some more significant Nor West rain to fill the lakes even more. However the fish are still there for the determined angler to catch, try dry fly fishing to avoid the didymo problem.

Boat fishing seminar

Boaties who are in the McKenzie country during the holiday period are invited to a boat fishing seminar to be held in the Omarama Hall car park on Saturday the 10th of January starting at 10am. The two hour seminar will cover everything from selecting the right fishing gear to how to deal with your catch once it’s in the bag. Local Fish and Game Officer and Waitaki Lakes fishing expert Graeme Hughes has been hooked as the guest speaker and will talk about the latest and most effective fishing techniques to use. So if you’re a boatie and after some top fishing tips get along and check this event out.

Merry Christmas and may your lines be tight in the New Year.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

Welcome rains arrived and here in the desert of North Otago, we received a very welcome 18 mm last night , through to the early hours. Coastal areas will have recorded more however we are geographically situated in the dry space between rain from the west coast and rain from the east or south. A fitting name for Kurow would be “Elsewhere’. When all others are enjoying rain the Met office will always end up by saying “…. but fine (or dry) elsewhere”.

The smaller rivers have responded with Waitaki Valley waters on the rise, Ahuriri discoloured and rising at 30 cumecs, Hakataramea River, clear , rising at 1.4cumecs, Maerewhenua River, clear and up to 1.1, Waihao up to 700 litres per second. The Waitaki has been flowing close to 300 cumecs most of the week and at 250 today, it is predicted there won’t be much change, i.e. perhaps between 250 to 300 cumecs.
The Rangitata River although receding has been unfishable all week, so no salmon have been caught. Dropping and at 140 cumecs it looks doubtful for the weekend again. The Opihi is flowing at 6.5 cumecs at SH 1 bridge.

The Valley roads are becoming increasingly busy with the usual array of fully laden trailers, caravans and boats heading west. Boat traffic is increasing on the hydro lakes although not all are anglers, some are hardy water toy enthusiasts with skis and other towed vehicles braving the early summer temperatures.

Personally, fishing has been successful but not spectacular. It is the time of year I have a visitor who enjoys getting out and catching fish, something she does twice a year. We troll or drift in a boat and while fishing and eating pre-Christmas treats catch up on families, friends and important events. Lake Waitaki is the December choice, Lake Ohau in February, and on this trip, Tuesday and Wednesday morning, although trout featured in the bag, salmon were most prevalent landing 2 to every trout. If you count the escapees 3 to 1 provides a more accurate picture. The salmon are survivors from last year releases into Lake Benmore, they aren’t huge but like peas in a pod are all about 300 to 350 in length. Great fun for the new anglers or for those who, like my guest, seldom fish at all.

A 2 hour stint on Lake Waitaki produced this bag of salmon and trout mid week.
Despite the wind and rain, last night, in pursuit of a largish trout “ordered” for an event early in the new week I motored out to my favourite beat on Lake Waitaki. I only had one lure with me, tied to my line from my day out with my guest, all my boat fishing boxes sat where I had unloaded them. Well if I lose it I’ll just call it a night and return home. With a large rainbow envisaged the first take followed by a nodding rod tip indicated a salmon , as was the second and the third. I netted the number three and although they are wonderful fish catchers the jointed Rapala with its two sets of hooks are difficult to disengage from a bouncing salmon which you want to return to the water. This is doubly difficult as those who have caught these chromium plated “bullets” will attest, the lure is often fully engulfed, such is the enthusiasm of the chinook’s strike. With very little forethought I grabbed the lure at about the same time as the salmon gave a flip, and as often happens you feel the sharp points of a hook or two. Not this time, as I went to take the point out of my finger I noted with some disappointment the hook was fully imbedded, to bend, in the large pad, next to the palm, of my left forefinger. What to do? The boat is bouncing with wind and waves, the mid hook is attached to my hand and a rather lively salmon is also attached to my hand by the second set of hooks. I can’t get the fish off, it’s hooked well down I only have one hand operable. Obviously the fish is going to die, and quickly. Every bounce and flip accentuated the close contact I had with this fish! I’m thinking this is going to hurt as I give it healthy smack on the snout. It did. The situation is now changed slightly in my favour, any pain experienced will be caused by me and not a lively fish which in a few short seconds had pulled the hook into my flesh as far as it would go. The wind by this time had me almost on the rocks. With my good hand I start the motor and head for deeper water. The rain sweeps in heavier by the minute and the light is almost gone. Next, to get the weight of the fish off my finger which is now bleeding profusely. With the blade of my knife I poke around in the not overly large mouth of the salmon trying to cut out the hooks, each prod of the knife registering in the pain department of the brain. The fish eventually falls to the deck. I cut the line and consider my next move. No pliers on board, they’re in one of my tackle boxes sitting on the office floor where I left them. Back to the ramp, I’m so much more comfortable now!

On arrival I consider the options. Return home and find a medical professional, or, push the hook round and out and snip off point and barb as I had read about in various fishing books, or, have a go at pulling it out in the opposite direction of entry. Pushing the hook right through was not an option I dwelt on for long, anyway the hook was pointing in the wrong direction. The “doc” will probably do what I’m going to do, albeit in more sterile environment. I rattle around in the Toyota tool box and find a pair of side cutters. My Scottish ancestry came to the fore. Do you really need to cut the hook off a lure you paid almost $20.00 for? My welsh ancestry considered the very real possibility of impaling the affected hand with the remaining hooks during the removal act that was about to follow. Common sense prevailed. The hook was cut carefully so as to leave enough shank protruding for the pliers to hold onto. Now for the part I was not looking forward to. You only want to do this once, no failed attempts, make sure the pliers don’t slip of the hook. With several hundred kg’s of pressure on the handles of the long nosed pliers, and as I recall, eyes tightly shut, a hearty yell, a hefty “heave ho” and it was done. After a flush with a saline solution from the first aid kit and a “band aid” I was back on the water after the elusive trout. The “band aid” lasted all of 3 minutes but the quest continued. Another salmon boated, and removed very carefully, but to no avail.

I returned home thinking that in future I should have a bit more respect for hooks and be prepared. Don’t venture out without all the necessary gear. Removal of hooks is something one should be prepared for and although medical expertise is the best, often it’s not readily available.

Tight lines

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

A strong norwester and an accompanying deluge has affected the snow fed rivers and in the region the Ahuriri River bounced up to 110 cumecs and although it is on the way down it won't be fishable for this weekend and lake fishers will find the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore will be also affected.

The Rangitata River rapidly reached 750 cumecs, however it too is on the way down but there will be no fishing here this weekend.

All other rivers continue to fall in level, the Hakataramea having now dropped below the 1 cumec level. The Maerewhenua is at 700 litres per second and little change in the Waihao where at McCullochs Bridge it is flowing at 350 litres per second. The Opihi River is now down to 5 cumecs at the State Highway 1 bridge. The Waitaki River which has been flowing at round about the 300 cumec mark is not expected to change much this weekend due to the high flows of the Hopkins and Dobson Rivers filling Lake Ohau. Predictions are the flow will be at about 300 plus or minus 30 or 40 cumecs.
The salmon catch is reported to be 7 for the week in the lower Rangitata nothing reported from the Waitaki as yet.

Some excellent trout have been taken locally fishing the evening caddis “hatch” in the upper Waitaki River however dry fly fishing during the day in the Hakataramea River requires extreme caution in the existing flows if the angler is to be successful. Long leaders and pin accurate casting is essential, often you only get one cast and it has to be “right on the button”. The Maerewhenua River is reported to be still holding good numbers of fish and at times, even mid week, there are parties of anglers bumping into one another, some of these being guides and clients.

The upper Ahuriri River opens tomorrow, the first Saturday of December, but the norwester has ruined any chance of fishing here until early next week at least. All waters sourced from the Main Divide will be affected as will any receiving waters into which they flow.

A benefit of high flows in most of our rivers is it gives didymo a good beating and tends to keep it at a “manageable” length for anglers. It is noticeable that in the Waitaki areas of dense didymo have been lifting off the substrate over the last month and this has been accelerated by higher river flows. During my time involved with the didymo experiments near Otiake on the Waitaki River I have been able to ask many questions of probably the world’s most knowledgeable expert on didymo Professor Max Bothwell. He tells me that good healthy didymo is brown in colour and most anglers will note that the Waitaki River didymo is very pale, beginning as rust or tan colour but as it grows the pigmentation pales. While we know that didymo prefers nutrient free water it must have some nutrients to survive. Max tells me that in the Waitaki River the didymo is stripping the available nutrients from the water and it is losing its ability to survive hence the appearance of clear areas and the phenomena of large rolling “sheep skins” drifting off downstream.

I asked Max “Whats the best we can expect for the Waitaki?” Of course he couldn’t tell me but he did suggest that if the didymo here behaves similarly to didymo in some waters of the northern hemisphere, we could expect to have it for perhaps 6 to 8 years and then it will disappear. But he warns after 2 or 3 years it will return. Not the most wonderful of prospects but better than a future of continual colonisation. I have heard that a biological control in the form of a fungus is being investigated and undoubtedly there are many other “cures” I haven’t heard about. I don’t believe pouring large volumes of toxic chemicals into any river is the answer.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

An over view of the fishery at this time does not present a rosy picture. Mid and coastal waters are at low flows while high country waters are in flood, a result of a norwest deluge. Ona more positive side, just prior to the rains over the main divide and before the Rangitata River reached a flood flow of 1100 cumecs about 12 salmon were caught in the surf and lower river. The river is on the way down but I’m guessing from the rate of fall it may not be fishable until later on Sunday more likely Monday, when everyone goes back to work. Although too early to for the Waitaki River, early salmon runs always provide anticipation to those who annually pursue this prestigious species.

The Ahuriri River has also suffered and climbed to 110 cumecs and although dropping quickly it is likely to be discoloured for the weekend. The Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore will be carrying silt for several days a result of the high inflows. The smaller rivers not affected by norwest rain continue to drop in level due to irrigation abstraction and lack of rain. Irrigation restrictions already apply to most catchments of the CSI region.

Seasonal Foods for Trout

Although it is only November, and still reasonably early in a fishing season, there is a variety of seasonal foods available for trout at this time. In low country waters and at river mouths the annual migration of whitebait, silveries and elvers provide a smorgasbord of seafood for predatory trout.

In mid and upper river catchments trout miss out on the large concentrations of the annual migrants, however, excepting for smelt which remain in the lower reaches of most of the regions rivers, eels and whitebait species are still an available and important food source for trout. Terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates although smaller food items fill the shortfall and coastal trout usually miss out on many of these. Already cicadas are chirping during the heat of the day and I’m thinking that although it’s not yet a cicada chorus, just a few keen soloists tuning up for the big event, their summer song is a bit earlier this year. This is probably an omen of future weather patterns, although the meteorological people predict a more changeable and wetter summer and not the El Nino weather patterns of last summer which provided mostly hot dry conditions. The cicada is a large and plentiful food source for trout. Those who have fished the artificial or watched the demise of down stream drifting naturals being “monstered” by large trout would agree that it is a time where trout appear to lose caution, charging from the depths with gay abandon at any floating object which might resemble an unfortunate cicada.

If a keen gardener you will be aware that those pesky brown beetles are blundering about in your garden, searching out your best rose buds, newly emerged leaves and other delectable food items they enjoy. The drone of cruising beetles some evenings is quite amazing and although unseen in the night sky there must be an awful lot of them up there to be making such a din.

Happily they are the food of trout also and much like the cicada their “splash downs” are awaited eagerly by trout. When on beetles they become super selective and take nothing else, perhaps it’s because the beetle’s availability is of short duration. Your fly box should have a good supply of brown beetles for this time of the year and if you are a regular visitor to the high country you will always have a few cubicles in your fly box bristling with deer hair cicada patterns.

Terrestrial species aside, and not forgetting the importance of the many species of mayfly, there is no doubt in my mind that the caddis fly, or caddis fly families are the most important trout food on my river and of course on many others. The Trichoptera (caddisflies) is a large order represented in New Zealand by 15 families containing 45 genera and over 140 described species, plus others that are known and not yet described, but that was over 20 years ago so perhaps there are a few more described now. The caddis fly provides the trout with several dining opportunities; in the larval stage, cased or free living, when it pupates and swims to the surface, on the surface while it scuttles to the shoreline and when it returns to lay eggs, either on the water or when it crawls or swims underwater to deposit eggs on the substrate. They come in all sizes however locally it is the larger species, the green free living caddis, and the net building caddis which provides the greatest interest to fish and the angler. Unlike the mayfly hatch which is usually a day time event, the caddis “hatch” occurs mainly in the evening and at night. Nocturnal activity by the pupating insect and the resultant fish activity can continue well into the early hours and I have on occasion stayed until 2.00 am in the morning, unable to go home because of the constant rising of brown and rainbow trout. The later the hour the bigger the splash, the bigger the splash the bigger the fish. It’s a strong willed man who rod in hand can vacate a riverbank when all about him fish are noisily leaping and slashing at myriads of caddis. Sadly ones spouse will never understand your predicament.

How many caddis can a trout eat? The size of a fishes stomach is relative to the age of the fish. A small fish about 700 grams can cram in more than you would think. The nocturnal feeding of the fish pictured ceased at about 10.00pm when it was “euthanized for science”. Without being too exact over the count, after careful separation of the stomach contents, about 324 pupating caddis flies had been consumed before the fish made a serious mistake.

A small Waitaki brown trout approx 700 gm hooked while feasting on pupating caddis. Its evening feasting of over 300 caddis and the artificial which was its “undoing”.

During this productive time of the year one should be prepared for the varied diet of trout. Your location and the time of year will give you an indication of the trout’s diet and what to tie on to be successful.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

A week of changeable weather, hot, cold, thunder, lightening, hail rain and of course the prevalent “norwester”. Opportunities for an evening fish have been limited if looking for a pleasant end to the day. The weekend which preceded it was excellent however, at least until the wind reached gale force mid Sunday afternoon.

Although Saturday was brilliant, Sunday was an exceptional day as I was able to fish for 2 hours (which ended up closer to 4) in the upper reaches of the Waitaki River. During the middle of the day I witnessed almost a mass reproduction effort by caddis. Everywhere large brown caddis were dapping the surface in quick “touch and go” manoeuvres depositing their eggs. Trout appear to enjoy intercepting these quick moving insects and their attempts are signalled by a splashy and very obvious eruption from the depths. The trout’s timing must be spot on to connect with these sought after food items and I’m guessing many of their attempts are unsuccessful. The effort and split second timing required to catch a meal must consume a lot of energy and only the most energetic, hyperactive individuals enjoy this reckless and conspicuous food gathering exercise. The joyous “wallop” of trout taking caddis is a sight to see.

The haphazard slashing of the surface indicated that the trout indulging in catching egg laying caddis were actively hunting for them and moving constantly. This type of feeding ruled out any attempt to target a particular lie of a feeding trout. Despite the logistics of locating small moving targets in big water, and not physically able to emulate the action of the egg laying fly, I tied on a tent wing caddis imitation. With necessary “mends” up and downstream, I concentrated on obtaining the longest drag free drift that I could, hopefully indicating to any trout that my artificial was a spent and exhausted adult. After many, many casts the inevitable happened. The moment I lost concentration due to some minute distraction was the exact moment a fish quietly plucked my fly from the surface. Unaware of any action I looked back to where I expected the feathered imitation to be. It wasn’t there! I lifted after some hesitation. Too late I thought, but a strong pull indicated I was wrong. However the River Gods suitably chastised me for breaking the rules, and the fish and I were separated by a blood knot which failed half a meter from the tippet. To be completely transparent I should mention here that my fishing companion had hooked, landed and released two trout, one of each species, by this time. After such a lengthy duration without making contact and then to lose one through lack of application, or perhaps because I was being out fished, I was vocally castigating my abilities as an angler until another violent splashy rise within casting distance had me tying on another floating caddis. We moved further upstream and I noted the large cobbles and boulders along the shallows showing early signs of didymo colonisation. While we know this is inevitable, it is still disappointing to see. Five minutes before leaving I did catch a 3 lb “brown” cruising beneath various accumulated flotsam in a quiet piece of water. One cast, one lift “Bingo”. It was so easy and made the preceding hours of searching almost worth it. Had my “off-sider” not landed a further 2 fish prior to this and one immediately after I’m sure it would have been. To his credit he never mentioned his 5 to my 1, and had the situation been reversed I’m sure I would have showed similar good taste. Yeah right! I just know he’s saving it up for an appropriate time, place and a suitable audience.

Salmon releases

Due to the generosity of Sanfords and the great people at the Waitaki Hatchery at Ikiwai, anglers of the region will benefit from several releases of Chinook salmon into Lake Benmore and Lake Opuha. 24,000 have been released into Lake Benmore and 20,000 released into Lake Opuha.

While not all will survive, anglers will take their share and other lake inhabitants will also enjoy salmon as a change in diet. Disorientated for a short while after release from the transporter, the fish tend to mill about providing any nearby predator with ample opportunities for an easy meal.

At Lake Benmore, a trout of unknown dimensions was observed creating large bow waves as it charged amongst the unsuspecting salmon. A Crested Grebe must have got quite a surprise as it quietly paddled by, running slap bang into several hundred salmon smolts. I’m guessing both fish and bird dined well that afternoon.

Past releases have resulted in salmon being landed weighing up to 1.8 kg. Salmon provide excellent sport, often schooling which results in multiple “hook ups” when trolling. They are usually easy to catch and are a welcome addition to the anglers bag. Many find their way into the downstream lakes Aviemore and Waitaki proving that a proportion can negotiate the turbines and survive.

Weekend conditions

While we can’t predict the catch rate, and the weather forecast is looking a bit scruffy, all waters of the region will be fishable for the coming weekend. All but the snow fed rivers have been on a slow but steady decline, a good rain event is required to slow the downward trend. The Ahuriri River shot up to 50 cumecs or thereabouts, earlier in the week but has now dropped back to 21 cumecs. The Rangitata similarly increased to 250 but is dropping and presently at about 89 cumecs and with a touch of colour it should make fishing in the lower reaches that much better. The Hakataramea is at 1.4, Maerewhenua at .82, Lower Waihao .46, Kakanui .4, and the Opihi is flowing at 13.5 cumecs. With 250 in the Waitaki today for the weekend it is expected to be in a the range of 200 to 300 cumecs.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

With some warmer and wind free days there have been some ideal conditions for fishing. It is pleasing to say that it is a time of plenty and there are reports of fish being landed from all waters.

I have observed some excellent mayfly hatches on the Hakataramea River and while at the Waitaki Dam I’ve found that the lights there have attracted many hundreds of large flying caddis which means there should be some evening / night caddis fishing on the upper reaches of the Waitaki River about now. Coincidentally at about the time I was tapping out this report, I received a phone call from a fellow “caddis fisher” who reported that three Australian anglers had fished the river in the vicinity of the Old Slip Road and they were very excited.“Yeah mate, heaps of feesh rising”. We should take a look.

The evening started badly, my collection of Waitaki Sedges consisted of one solitary fly. And not a very good one at that. With only a few minutes to go before my ride there was no time to tie up a couple. I scratched around and found two caddis “emergers” that I had tied using soft partridge feathers instead of fur, (my emerging caddis pattern is a fur fly or more correctly a “flymph” tied with a pinch of hare’s fur). These experimental “hackle flies” had never been tried! They would have to do. I grabbed gear as the scrunching gravel announced he’d arrived and a few minutes later, above the river, putting gear together I discovered that my carry bag containing all the fly reels was still sitting back in Kurow. After some bad language my friend said to take his rod and reel which was all set up. I thankfully accepted but was told off for grizzling about the reel being the wrong way round. I always use fly reels with the handle on the right, that’s how I was taught. Doesn’t everyone?

We waded into the water about 8.30 pm. Not a rise heard or seen but a few caddis were fluttering across the surface. As the light faded we expected the rise to begin, caddis were becoming numerous in the air not so many on the water. Still no surface action from any trout. It was pleasant, mild, nice water and just swinging on a fly pole was a good feeling. Fishing the “flymph” my style is rather simple, perhaps even lazy. Wait for a rise downstream but within casting distance. As soon as the fish breaks the surface quickly drop your flies 2 or 3 metres upstream so as they swing subsurface, in an arc just above the position of the feeding trout. The “flymphs” are not dressed but on a dry line they “swim” in the surface water emulating, I assume, pupating caddis on their struggle to either fly from the water or swim / crawl to the shoreline. No drag free drift to worry about, just down and across I always use two, one on a 3 inch dropper about 2.5 feet above the tail fly, my theory is you double your chances in poor light.
With no fish showing I began “blind fishing”, casting to the invisible line between the fast and the slow water. Within a dozen casts, a solid hit and fish of unknown dimensions slashed the surface and streaked off into the big water, about 250 cumecs. The backing rapidly appeared. Struggling to remember the drag and the handle were on opposite sides on my borrowed gear, the fish “made a lot of ground”. Eventually I released a small “rainbow” which rewarded me with a face full of cold water as I dropped him back from whence he came. Well hooked on the dropper fly, the less bulky of the two unproven patterns, I moved a couple of paces downstream pleased that the creation had worked, (of course I knew it would!)

Fishing the “flymph” on the Waitaki River in the evening glow, I have difficulty removing the hook firmly imbedded in the jaw of a small “rainbow”.

After a few minutes another hit and after a long duration, and withstanding some unkind comments about the time taken to “net the thing” ( by someone who had yet to hook a fish) A brown trout was landed taken on the more bulky tail fly. A lean specimen, the fish showed a good turn of speed once it realised it was free. So both “flymphs” work on both species. I returned to about the same spot, hard to tell now as it was quite dark and still not a rise seen or heard. Again fishing ‘blind’ to the invisible line, a hard pull and a noisy sloshing on the surface began another lengthy tussle in big water. A “brown” of much better proportions was safely netted.

With the my time piece showing 9.30pm a cold blast from a southerly front bounced up the river and very quickly we agreed that there was now no chance of a rise so a coffee in the comforts of home was a popular option. As we trudged up the steep track my fishing mate claimed he did get one in the fast water above me, “About 6 or 7” he said. I was taken aback as I hadn’t heard or seen a thing. “Inches that is, not pounds” he said with a laugh.

So no rise last night, it’s drizzling and cold tonight, perhaps next week.

All waters of the region are clear and fishable excepting the Rangitata River which is receding and clearing after a norwester early in the week. It is expected to still have some colour by Saturday. Without rain the smaller streams are on a slow and steady decline, the best time to fish them is now so make a date.

A call on opening day from an irate land owner whose sheep were allowed to wander on a main highway prompts me to remind anglers, and it is assumed it was an angler, to ensure that all gates are securely chained after closing them. I know, it’s one of those unnecessary messages that has become necessary. Thanks.

Tight lines.

The opening weekend of the High Country fishing season was remarkably similar to last years opening with "norwesters" and a southerly change. Strong winds from two directions and showers made Saturday something of an ordeal however Sunday was greatly improved.

In the Ahuriri River I spoke with an angler who, with his mates go to the same place every year and fish the same places every year, fair weather or foul, and it’s good to get annual comparisons from them. The morning was described as “hard fishing”, no reference to the weather but to the cooperation from the fish. However when the southerly change arrived fishing improved. As is the norm some of the post spawning “rainbows” were lean, “browns” were good and maiden “rainbows” excellent. Didymo was present but so far “was not a problem” Other observations included an increase in lupin with the removal of the willows out from Omarama and the absence of fish holding pools since the willows have been removed. Some stretches are described as faster runs and where stalking a pool and picking off the residents was a preferred method of fishing, blind fishing the faster water is now more of a necessity than a preference. A slight discolouration in flow made seeing fish more difficult but probably assisted the catch rate. Since opening weekend the water has cleared however having spent two days in the headwaters on other duties I can report that the wind although gusty dropped away and the rain although light has been persistent.

At about 6.30am on Wednesday snow began to fall temperatures crashed. In a very short time the vista had changed dramatically. The freezing slowed the rising river however despite being equipped for inclement weather we did not expect a dollop of the white stuff. Which just shows that being a good boy scout, (always remember the scouting motto “Be prepared”) can save the day and perhaps your life.

Despite crossing the river in many places, (and remembering the upper river does not open until the first Saturday in December) although there appeared to be some good holding water no trout were observed above Canyon Creek.

The slow release snow melt has not affected the Ahuriri River and it is presently running at about 20 cumecs and is clear and fishable.

An Otago colleague “trespassed” into the Central South Island region and visited the Maerewhenua River. Not having fished it before he relayed to me how impressed he was with the scenery, the water and the abundance of trout. Despite being only two days after the opening weekend and also meeting other anglers on the river he and his fishing mates all had a good day catching rainbow trout.

The Hakataramea River was a very busy place especially in the upper reaches. A landowner believed it is the most angler traffic seen during the last 5 or 6 years. Sunday was the pick of the days and on the lower river I saw several trout on my riverbank inspections, all actively feeding with one or two taking food off the top. The desire to race home and grab a rod was dismissed on two or three occasions. The anglers I spoke with all reported seeing good numbers of fish and all but one had caught several. The fishless angler, reasonably new to fly fishing had seen and cast to several fish but hadn’t made a connection. He had enjoyed seeing fish but just hooking one could have made a good day out a great one. We discussed techniques and fly patterns and he left determined to get back and try again. He will catch one on his next trip, I’m sure of that.

The weekend weather is looking more “angler friendly” however there is no sign of settled weather in the week ahead. Saturday looks as if it could be the day to aim for if you can’t wangle a whole weekend away. All rivers are clear and fishable and already there is a rumour that the first salmon has been caught, in the Rangitata.

Graeme Hughes

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

It’s ANZAC day and while we remember those that never made it home, I wonder how many of those brave souls like you and me were just “ordinary blokes” who enjoyed the simple pleasures of catching a trout. I also wonder what they would think about the trout and salmon fishery of today.

This is the last report for the season and a long weekend as well.

Conditions remain as they were last week, no rain no change. Possibly the driest autumn in my time here and rivers at their lowest when in fact they should be increasing in flow. Spawning salmon and trout encouraged by this influence should be migrating into these valuable spawning and nursery waters, but locally they’re not. If not a record drought, and it’s not, where’s the water gone? Why am I looking at severely depleted flows and in several no flow at all? When you ask this question you will be told “Oh they are often this low” or “Historically these streams have always dried”. No one disputes low flows or occasional dry sections but this low and this dry for so long? I don’t think so.

Anglers will already be out and about so nothing printed here will be of great assistance. I was talked into heading out for some night fishing on Wednesday. The Norwester had dropped away and according to my mate he had already began his lake fishing near river mouths at this time last year and his diary entry claimed he had caught 18 on his first outing. I hadn’t spent much time with him this season however I do remember I did accompany him on a similar nocturnal outing last year when I completely ruined his average of 8 per night. He managed to land 2. I on the other hand couldn’t keep fish from leaping onto my line after hooking and landing a fish on my first cast. Each time I landed or lost a fish I do recall his comments which were repeated throughout the evening.” You’re a bloody Jonah Hughes!”

Time heals and as his invited guest I enjoyed a yarn and the drive as the outside air temperature climbed from 9 degrees to 11, which was an unexpected bonus. Togged up for the cold and wearing chest waders we had worked up quite a lather by the time we reached the river mouth. It was 8.45pm ,the almost full moon was climbing above the ridgelines which I thought at the time wouldn’t help the cause. I had tied on a small “lumo” Doll Fly on a short dropper, and on the point a size #6 black Rabbit Lure which has always been a good provider. Not at all ostentatious, black rabbit pelt wing, black body with a silver rib and a sparse tag or tail of a dyed red feather. The first cast was a shocker as I discovered that in the dark I had put the wrong reel and line on probably a 5/6 when it should have been a 7/8. When you’re pushing two wet lures through the air you need some weight. The second cast was better and I hooked a lively fish which cavorted across the surface in a series of evenly spaced leaps. There was a comment form my companion a few meters away which was not complimentary, and after some determined runs I beached a brown trout of about 3.5 lbs in its prime, “heavy in the shoulder and firm of flesh”. On the black lure of course. A few minutes later I managed another a little smaller, on the rabbit lure, I missed two “takes” then hooked and lost another after a long and spirited run. Fish were leaping steadily around us ducks were feeding and scaup were diving, it was very pleasant. The contacts with fish ceased after about 90 minutes casting perhaps due to the moon then at its zenith and with those familiar accusations of being a Jonah from one who had not landed a fish we tromped back to the vehicle. I bet he’s searching for a black feathered lure already. I wonder if I get invited back.

The Waitaki will be at about 300 cumecs for today and may drop back a little during the weekend. The Ahuriri River is at a remarkable low of 8 cumecs, the Hakataramea and Maerewhenua Rivers still dropping are each at 500 litres per second and the Waihao River is down to 40 cumecs and the Opihi at the SH 1 is running at 6.6 cumecs.

Thanks for the many contacts, comments and compliments from anglers far and wide throughout the season, its good to know that the fisheries of the region are in good hands. Hands and minds that will keep us, the fisheries managers “on the case”. We can’t do it alone. Until next season.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

River conditions

Although the temperature has crashed and sunshine is scarce no significant rain has fallen and river conditions remain as in previous weeks, low and clear. The news paper report which stated the Waitaki River weekend flows will closely mirror those of the previous weekend are incorrect and the source of the erroneous information unknown. Today it is flowing at just above 300 cumecs and expected to rise but should not exceed 420 cumecs over the next 2 days.

The Hakataramea and Maerewhenua Rivers are hovering at about 600 litres per second and the Ahuriri River at just under 9 cumecs. To the north the Opihi is running at 8 cumecs and the Rangitata River at a low 50 cumecs.

Didymo could be on the way out

Didymo has been detected in the lower Otematata River which is probably not surprising located in the same catchment as other infected waters. It is noticeable however that in the Waitaki River along with the Haka and the Maerewhenua Rivers didymo appears to be dying off in places. I had an interesting email from a friend who is a local fishing guide who passed on the following observations.

“During the past few weeks I have managed to get out and about on the river and have seen some surprising 'things' regarding that damn didymo. I know I have mentioned some time ago that I believed that the didymo appeared to be dying with some areas of river bed now completely clear, just typical river bottom as one would expect prior to this invasion.

Last Saturday afternoon, I had the opportunity to go for a flick down the river and the biggest (one of the biggest) changes I noticed was the fact that the area just below the old Haka mouth (where the stop bank is), used to be well covered (understatement) in didymo. The length of the didymo seemed to be 'quite long' but was hard to actually determine due to the depth of water. However, on this recent outing, the same area has changed quite dramatically in my opinion. There are of course obvious patches in this area covered with didymo (alive or dead?) but generally, there has been a massive 'clean out'.

Further down the river in one area, I came across a patch of what I would describe as 'budding didymo', small dark areas where it usually first becomes noticeable when alive and doing well. When in this stage, I have the opinion that it was bloody hard to remove from the rocks. Again, here was a difference. This apparently 'budding didymo' which would normally be hard to remove, just scraped away with ease with a wipe of my boot.

I state this VERY cautiously but I am almost convinced that this crap is 'on the way out'. Of course, there are plenty of areas where the stuff is still quite obvious but again, it all seems to be disappearing, dying and certainly not increasing.

Water temperatures have been 'warm' but I have not done any actual temperature readings/recordings but I do wonder, would the water temperature over recent months, have played a part in the reduction (my opinion) of the didymo ?”.

Any bad news for didymo is good news to me and only time will tell. While it is early days yet there are plans to study, in depth, no pun intended, a spring fed groundwater stream which didymo has failed to colonise. It will be very interesting. With Pukaki water colouring the upper lakes, which should filter down through the valley, didymo in the Waitaki River could be in for a rough winter. As didymo prefers maximum light the glacial sediment in the water may reduce sunlight penetration and didymo does not enjoy a shaded substrate. Glacial till in the Waitaki River was always an annual event however over the last few years the river has remained clear throughout the winter. While I have not worked out why this occurs, it could be ice and snow conditions on the main divide, climatic or power generation, or a mix of these; if it it’s bad for didymo then long may it last.

With a cold southerly blast expected tonight and snow to down 600 meters amsl the weekend should be cool but clear inland once the front has moved on.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

With very little to report and only one 3 day weekend left on the fishing calendar, Anzac Day weekend, I guess many have put their gear away until the spring arrives later in the year. Of course there are those hardy souls who have the enthusiasm (and the insulated waders) to persist throughout the winter. To coin an old phrase winter fishing leaves me cold, and I’m not referring to water and air temperature, but quite probably a result of my piscatorial upbringing. My father insisted that the winter was a time for the trout, (he was never a chaser of “quinnats” unless they were Lake Coleridge land locked variety, and that it was also a time for anglers to attend to the many chores that were neglected during the summer season. Whatever they may have been.

I have been talked into the odd foray on a still winters eve but it is always great to arrive home, walk indoors to be enveloped by warmth and ambience of the glowing log fire. Winter nights are dead quiet, all the fluffy animals are keeping warm somewhere and the bird life are all perched with heads under wings waiting out the cold and the darkness. There’s not a lot happening in the dark, in the middle of winter, in many degrees below zero.

Not that I’m scared of the dark or the cold, I probably have the best cold weather garments you can buy. I work in the cold, I hunt in the cold, I have often fished in the cold, however I expect cold when I hunt, and if a there’s work to be done you just work in the cold, but fishing, I don’t think so.

I will always remember my last unwilling fishing adventure, a night spent winter fishing. My bride wishing to make our Japanese guest’s stay a memorable one asked him, and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, if he would like to go fishing one evening as “Graeme would love to take you out to catch a fish”. It was the middle of June for Pete’s sake! Junji was very excited about the proposed fishing trip. We had no days to do it, he was at the Kurow Area School, every day his schedule was tight, which only left the evenings. Evenings turn to night very quickly here in June. Still reeling in disbelief at the suggestion of night fishing in the middle of the winter, the next day after work I hastily readied the “runabout” and fuelled the outboard tank. I didn’t want to go. A licence was filled out and gear stashed aboard. As soon as Junji arrived from school after a quick “bite” we were off to Lake Aviemore, Why Aviemore? Lake Waitaki wasn’t open to winter fishing then and it was the closest water to home. I wanted this escapade to be over and done with as quickly as possible. Junji kept turning round to peer out the rear window to look at the boat being towed behind. This obviously amused him as he would look at me with a large grin. I wasn’t sure if it was actually towing a boat at speed behind a motor vehicle or the anticipation of a boat ride which created his enjoyment, but our language difficulties prevented me asking and I didn’t want to be there any way so I was not in a very communicative mood. It was just on dark when we idled out of Parsons Rock boat ramp and the temperature was plunging, it was going to be another “humdinger” of a frost, just like every other night of the week. I tied on a couple of Rapalas and Junji in his woollen gloves was having considerable difficulty in detaching two sticky sharp trebles from one of his gloves. While he apologised and removed the hooks from the left glove the hooks promptly became imbedded in the right glove. More apologies. Freed from hooks his first cast disappeared somewhere in the dark but was eventually found hooked to the interior of the boat “Sorry sorry”. Finally fishing, inevitably weed fouled his gear and on removing the offending plants the hooks became firmly affixed in his fluffy woollen gloves once more. While he apologised profusely I removed the hooks with difficulty, as it was now very dark. I didn’t want to be there. It was several degrees below zero and any water dripped or splashed immediately turned to ice. Junji’s casts were shockers. Again with many apologies the line would cross mine and the tangle of two lines would occur. This was not going well. “If he says sorry once more…..!” After an age, an ice age, we reached the mouth of the Otematata River where I hoped we would catch a fish. Big, small, didn’t matter. Lets just catch a fish and go home. On retrieving his Rapala to check and clear any foreign matter, you guessed it, those fluffy gloves were hooked again. I’m a patient man but there is a limit “Lose the gloves Junji!”

My rod bent as a fish, species and dimensions unknown, briefly made contact with my lure. Bugger! And on the wrong rod! We circled around the river mouth, the cold starting to affect Junji as I could see him start to shiver, despite being rugged up in some of my cold weather gear. Perhaps its too cold for him, he may want to go home? No he said he was quite comfortable. Yeah right! We completed another orbit and to help pass the time I tried to dream up a system of getting heat from the motor up front for the comfort of the operator. After a lengthy duration, about another 30 cold minutes, which seemed more like 60, whoopee, a fish attached itself to Junji’s line. “Please God don’t let this fish get away”. After a short and uneventful tussle I thankfully netted the unfortunate trout, the whole half kilo of it, and gave it the obligatory smack with the priest. A camera magically appeared from somewhere within my guest’s many layers of clothing and I kid you not, lying on the icy floor of the boat, that fish was cooked to a medium rare with camera flash, there were so many pictures taken of it. Now we can go home I thought! “You really want to fish some more?” Despite his uncontrollable shivering he suggested that we should fish some more. We trolled back toward the ramp for another cold half hour but not another fish indicated an interest. As we motored quietly past the truck and trailer I lied. I claimed that at 10.00 pm the lady of the house would be worried about us not being home. That did the trick and mercifully he agreed we should not concern my wife and that we should proceed back to the ramp. I think that experience finished me for winter fishing. When the ice builds up in the rod rings, the pinkies are painfully cold, and your heads full of “how to keep warm” ideas, that’s not fishing, that’s an ordeal!
If you’re fishing this weekend all waters are clear and fishable but you can expect some frosts if you’re into early morning outings. Fishing lake inflows should be rewarding as the spawning periods draws closer.

On a sunny day in the tussock country, fishing a cicada imitation should provide results as there are still a few chirping on those warmer afternoons, however cicada days are almost over.

Any known salmon spawning activity in the Waitaki River should be investigated and fished with a “Glow bug”, the irresistible salmon egg imitation. When salmon numbers were high in the Hakataramea River the glow bug was unbeatable for taking trout especially rainbow trout. As the salmon season is now closed any salmon hooked must be released unharmed.

Flows in the Waitaki River will be reduced this weekend during low flow trials which involves NIWA fisheries scientists. Today the river should be at 300 to 350 cumecs, Saturday,250 cumecs between 0800 and 1600 hours and down to 140 cumecs on Sunday between 0800 and 1600 hours. Normal generation flows on will resume on Monday. Until it rains all other waters are at a low flow.

And yes the deer hunting was very successful however I noticed the hills are a little higher and the slopes a little steeper this year.

Tight lines

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

Low temperatures, falling leaves, the close of the salmon season and bellowing Red stags signal that summer has passed and the fishing season for many winds down. Hunters begin to think seriously of the coming waterfowl season however the extremely dry conditions will have an effect on them and their quarry as it has for anglers. The drought conditions have returned and the smaller fisheries are in very poor condition. The Hakataramea River has dried over the same areas as earlier in the year. Any salmon migration here will be on hold unless a significant rain event occurs.

In 1985, very similar conditions in the Haka saw a dry mid section of 7 kilometres coinciding with the annual Chinook salmon run. I recall building a barrier trap below the State Highway 83 bridge near the Hakataramea village, and then employing the neighbours tractor and blade to divert water through it by “scratching” a channel in the river gravels. Obviously there were many salmon in the river that year as the ‘85 annual report reminds me that the trap “fished” for 31 days and in that time captured 451 salmon and an unrecorded number of brown trout. 359 of the total salmon catch was transported by our fish tanker upstream of the dry area and released at Rocky Point. 24 were transported to the Awakino River a tributary of the Waitaki River between Kurow and the Waitaki Dam, and the remainder, 68 were released above the fish trap. Because the salmon were usually large and our tanker was built primarily for much smaller species, we could only carry about 10 or 12 a trip, requiring about 40 salmon transportation journeys which we dubbed “Operation Oncorynchus”.

In future years spawning salmon counts revealed redds excavated throughout the river from the confluence with the Waitaki River up to about the most upstream bridge located near “The Hays” and “Hakataramea Downs” on the opposite side, an overall distance in excess of 38 kilometres. Acclimatisation Society reports written by my predecessor, prior to me taking over the position here in 1976, indicate that salmon spawning was mainly confined to the lower Haka River from the Waitaki River to Wrights Crossing a distance of about 13 kilometres. It appears that “Operation Oncorhynchus” increased the length of spawning migration, increased the costs of the annual counts but decreased the superimposition of redds in the lower river.
Yesterday (3.4.08) assisted by Fish and Game Officer Hamish Stevens I walked (stumbled and staggered) through the network of small spring fed streams associated with Stockyard Stream near the confluence of the Hopkins River with the Dobson River. Hidden amongst the shoulder high Red Tussock and associated swamps, the gravels of the streams and seeps are now incubating the spawning effort of over 1103 Sockeye salmon. I guess the peak of the run occurred about 10 days ago. A large number of dead fish in the streams, many areas of disturbed substrate, redds, but fewer fish on or near the spawning beds indicates to me that many more “Sockeyes” had spawned and drifted off downstream. The total count of dead and live fish could only be a conservative count, however it is exciting to find these fish in this location, and as far as we know, perhaps the first big run here for at least 20 years. Long may they prosper.

With salmon off the menu, end of season trout fishing waters are all clear and fishable however this may be only temporary in high country waters due to a strong norwest influence across the South Island.

Presently the Ahuriri is a low 9.0 cumecs, the Haka at 0.5, the Maerewhenua at 0.6, Opihi 8.0 and the Rangitata at 50.0 cumecs. The Waitaki River at 400 cumecs will not change too much over the weekend due to low lake levels in the south, a situation which the heavy rain warning should soon rectify.

With “the roar” at full volume and a long weekend planned in the high tussock tops, a traditional hunting event, angling will not feature for me, and I suspect a number of anglers this weekend. Be careful out there!

Tight lines and straight shooting.

Hamish Stevens, Fish & Game

Salmon season draws to a close

The Easter break saw a large influx of anglers to all the major salmon rivers in the region. The Waitaki River was the place to be and at times had over 200 anglers lining the gut. Fish were being caught fairly regularly with one angler observing 8 fish being played at once. The Waitaki salmon run is traditionally later and would be worth fishing this weekend. Flows around 400 cumecs have been experienced over the last few days but it is expected to drop to between 300-350 cumecs for the weekend. The Rangitata and Opihi Rivers have still been producing salmon but upriver fishermen have been finding hooking fish difficult. The Rangitata is low and clear meaning that salmon have everything in their favour and fishing is best first thing or late in the evening. It looks like we will get some Nor West rain early in the weekend so salmon anglers will be hoping that the river drops quickly so they can have another go before the season finishes on the 31st of March.

Trout fishing has been slow with feeding fish hard to find however if one is on the go odds are that it will take your offering. A recent trip to a local stream showed just how hard the fishing can be with only 4 feeding trout out of the 20 spotted. Often I take my young Labrador on fishing trips and have never had a problem however this trip I had a friend along with his 15 month old GSP. Well Labrador plus GSP equals one broken rod! As my friend was tying a small beadhead on the two dogs came roaring past taking four feet off the tip. Needless to say the language was fairly colourful and the dogs soon had their tails between their legs. As a kind gesture I returned home and loaned my old rod so as he could continue the day. Returning to the stream the dogs jumped out of the truck as though nothing had happened and continued playing. On pulling the loaned rod out I noticed that the tip was broken and found chewed remnants on the floor. Moral of the story don’t take two young dogs out fishing!

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

I expect with the long weekend ahead the salmonid populations will take a beating, none more so than the fish in the Waitaki River. Chinook salmon will be the most sought after species with only 11 days remaining of the shortened season.

Information from a popular weigh in site (Glenavy Hotel) indicates that the seasons catch will exceed the number taken last year.

One trout angler commented that already lake Brown trout are beginning to colour up and targeting river mouths produced some good results for him and his fishing companions this week.

A walk down Larch Stream today (19.3.08), brought back memories of the 70’s and early 80’s. I counted 5730 Sockeye salmon in this small stream which is only 3km in length and remember now why I prefer to fly it, the Huxley swamp has not got any easier to walk through. Surprisingly there is little size difference between these fish and the Lake Benmore fish which makes me think that a large proportion of the run are not Lake Ohau inhabitants, perhaps these fish are Lake Ruataniwha residents, or, Lake Ohau has become more enriched and now provides increased plankton, sufficient to support the current salmon population. Perhaps not but there is considerable change in landscape over the last 20 years, I’m just guessing of course. Huxley Gorge and Glen Lyon Station managers have seen “hundreds” of “sockeyes” in two other spring fed tributaries further upstream. What ever the reason for the resurgence it is great to see!

Reports from the Ahuriri River indicate that although the fish are there they are “hard work”. Possibly due to the high temperatures, most are not interested in anything cast to them. It is unusual to find a fish actively feeding, if you do, then there’s a good chance you will hook it. Perhaps the inactive fish are nocturnal feeders? One angler fishing the Ahuriri River reported the biggest eel he’s seen since he was a schoolboy. The eel of his youth weighed 20lb but this one was much bigger. While electro fishing in the lower Ahuriri River a large eel succumbed to the electrode. Fish of this size are ancient and may be older than you and I. Female Longfinned eels migrate to see to spawn at 24 to 47 years of age and large fish such as the Ahuriri specimens may be slow maturing older fish.

There is a perception amongst many that the only good eel is a dead one. I take a different view, as do many others, they have a place in fishery, predation is a fact of life. A study on a small North Island trout fishery showed that when all the eels were removed the trout population increased but the fish size decreased. No predation, more fish, too many fish for the stream to support, a stunted population remained, of minimal interest to anglers I would think. We know they are very good at keeping the rivers “rubbish” free being capable scavengers. I respect their longevity, I am impressed by their tenacity of life and their life cycle is quite astounding. The New Zealand Longfinned eel is one of the largest of the freshwater eels. There are instances of “longfins” attaining a length of almost 2 metres and weighing more than 50 kg. Now that’s an eel! Fish this size demand respect. I have found eels can be very inquisitive , often when drift diving , looking for trout amongst willow roots or in deep holes an eel will suddenly appear. However it will retreat just as fast when it discovers the disturbance is not a food item. Still, there are many who have a fear of any eel, large or small, and when drift diving it can be quite humorous, for me, when a diver known for his revulsion of eels comes face to face with one. A terrified scream confined to the diameter of a snorkel is indescribable unless you have heard the “bugle” of a bull Wapiti in full rut.

As a young field officer I recall my senior officer at that time who had a fear of eels and any eel he saw usually ended up dead. He would go to great lengths to catch and kill any eel he saw. It was quite a phobia. I’ve seen people like that with spiders. One day he told me why he had such a dislike and fear of the species. As a schoolboy he was “tickling” trout from the undercut banks of a small stream, well you can guess the rest. A “largish” eel grabbed his hand.. Eels have many fine sharp teeth along their jaws and in the roof of the mouth. The mouth is large and the jaws are powerful. In his effort to extract his hand he wrenched it away but in doing so tore the flesh “to the bone” on his young fingers. The fingers became infected and I was told he came close to losing the entire hand. Well perhaps he has good reason to dislike eels however the eel was not a “man eater” and only grabbed the hand as it moved along feeling for a trout either as a possible food item or perhaps in a defensive strike. Yep he sure hated eels.

When annoyed they will retaliate just like your dog or cat might. While walking around Lake Pearson many years ago, a sizeable eel, perhaps 3 or 4 kg, was observed in half meter of water, motionless amongst the aquatic plants. One of our party, who disliked eels immensely, attempted to give it a good poke with tip of his split cane fly rod. A bad decision. In a flash the eel, supposedly sleeping, had the rod tip between its jaws. A swirl and a cloud of suspended silt and it was gone, but so was a considerable amount of varnish from off the mans prized and immaculate English fishing pole.
Electric fishing machines are particularly hard on eels especially long ones. My attempts to keep the Ahuriri eel alive in an oxygenated tank failed and after 2 days it died. I weighed it, it was an impressive 29lbs (13.1kg).

On school camps and during stream studies I have always made a point of educating school children about eels. And while most scream and run when I produce an eel from the fish tanker, by the end of the class they are all, well 99% of them, stroking and handling the fish marvelling at the smooth and velvet skin and usually surprised that the fish is not trying to tear them apart. Their teachers and parents are never so keen and very few of the mothers or fathers will touch them. I wonder where the kids get their fear of eels? The eels do get stressed and will bite but if handled carefully they can remain docile for an amazing length of time. When they become agitated and active however it’s time to return them to the stream and use another specimen from the tanker.

All rivers and lakes are clear and fishable, albeit at a lesser flow than at this time last week. Salmon anglers can expect flows in the Waitaki to be in the 250 to 300 cumec range. If heading north to the Rangitata, it is flowing at a low 55 cumecs. The Ahuriri 11cumecs, Hakataramea River .72, Maerewhenua River .83, Opihi River 7.5 cumecs.
On a flight to count Canada geese I flew along and over several rivers and lakes.

What was noticeable was the lack of anglers and on the lakes, anglers and boats. The few river anglers I did see appeared to be guides with clients fishing the Tekapo and the Ahuriri Rivers. A calm before the storm. From about this Thursday to next Tuesday the situation will be quite different.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

Salmon fishing news dominates with increased runs and angler success throughout the Central South Island Region. This year the fish are larger and in exceptional condition, however a later run of small fish in the 4 to 5 kg range is now appearing in the anglers’ bag.

Inland, an aerial count of Sockeye salmon spawning waters on the 13th March, financed by Meridian Energy, showed salmon spawning in the Lower Ohau, Tekapo, and Twizel Rivers. In the enhanced Ohau tributary, now cleared a further kilometre upstream by Environment Canterbury, numbers are significantly increased.

Didymo growth in the Ohau River has not deterred the “sockeyes” and they have cleared hundreds of square metres of river bed during redd excavation. Brown trout although still in low numbers have increased in the lower Ohau River. In the surveyed lower Tekapo River, brown trout were quite numerous. The lower Twizel River holds some good trout, however there is considerable distance between fish.

Sockeye Salmon Counts, 13.3.08

As a cost saving, Twizel and Tekapo counts were significantly shortened.
The manager of Glen Lyon Station located on the lower Dobson River near its confluence with Lake Ohau reports that in one of the Dobson River’s spring fed tributaries near Stoney Stream, large numbers of small fish have appeared and they are thought to be Sockeye Salmon. Larch Stream, a historical “sockeye” spawning stream on the opposite side of the Dobson River will be checked on foot by the writer in the next few days. The Glen Lyon manager , Nigel Freeman has indicated he will check Stockyard Stream for spawning salmon while working there next week. This water was last used by spawning salmon in the1970’s.

The drying norwesters are having their effect and river flows are down accordingly. The Waitaki River has been lower and the increased catch rate can be attributed to the improved fishing conditions and access.

After last weeks reminiscence of fishing close to home I received correspondence from angler who also spent time at Lake Bryndwr. Apparently bread or cheese successfully caught the goldfish in the lake, I wonder what happened to the poor goldfish, and did they end up in the frypan? I’d like to tell my brother who never got to eat his.

On the southern side of the main lake there were several smaller, shallower ponds and a larger deep one. I recall building a raft which equipped with sail and paddles came to an ignominious end in the disused pit as the combined weight of the crew overcame the buoyancy of the scrap timber and other materials employed in its construction.

While “mucking around doing stuff” in the small ponds we caught a large and ferocious looking dragon-fly larvae. Someone decided that this could be good bait for trout. The unfortunate insect was kept in a jar of water for a trial. The larvae was carefully hooked through the top of the thorax and suspended from a plastic bubble on a short trace. I thought the impaled insect with its legs constantly moving would be irresistible to a cruising trout . I was right!, To ensure the new bait would stay attached the bubble and trace were gently lobbed, not cast onto the lake. The float stabbed downwards and out of sight. A Brown trout was guided into my landing net; not many kids had a landing net. My father arrived home from an anglers club auction with it and he gave to me. A folding “Y” shaped frame with the leading edge formed by a heavy leather thong. A rather long, well varnished “Greenheart” handle incorporated a reversible tang at the butt end which I guess was for poking into the river bank while waiting for a fish. If one looked carefully, you could read the engraving around the alloy fitting, “Made by Hardy Bros Ltd England”. While it meant little to me then, today it would be of considerable value. I wonder what became of it?

The new bait had promise but we would need to find a lot more “ugly bugs”. The smaller safer ponds became a most valuable resource. We discovered, by accident I suspect, if we disturbed the substrate of the pond, “shuffling” through the stones with a stout stick, the dragon-fly larvae would emerge and jet propelled, vacate the area of disturbance. Catching these in your bare hands was not easy but with small nets made from mothers discarded nylon stockings we soon had it down to a fine art. One would “shuffle” the other would catch.

I could not guess at how many trout we took with the suspended dragon-fly rig. Catch and release was never a consideration in the 60’s. Suffice to say we did our bit to successfully annihilate both Brown and Rainbow trout populations of Lake Bryndwr.

Despite all rivers and lakes being clear and fishable the weekend ahead is usually a quiet one with many anglers preparing for the last long weekend of the recognised fishing season, Easter weekend. The Waitaki River should remain in the 250 to 300 cumec range and with the salmon fishing rapidly coming to an end there will be some urgency to land a salmon before the end of the month. The season for salmon ends midnight on Monday 31st March.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

A good rain fell in most places but as is often the case, where it was most needed nothing happened. The flow of the Hakataramea lifted a mere 200 litres per second and is now showing a downward trendrunning at 1.2 cumecs. There are still some fish available, my last report midweek from an area mid river was that they were all small, both brown and rainbow, with the heaviest specimen weighing in at about 500 gm. This is not normal, perhaps the angler was fishing in the nursery. The Maerewhenua River too received a flush of 26 cumecs but dropped rapidly to 1.6. The Ahuriri River produced a good fresh rising to just under 60 cumecs. On the way down it is now at 17 and will be clear and fishable by the weekend. These minor floods are so important now that didymo has a firm hold on a large percentage of our trout streams. Controlled rivers such as the lower Ohau, Tekapo and Waitaki Rivers suit didymo and in these waters it thrives well. The high flows in the Waitaki are dropping back and while the 400 plus cumecs disadvantaged anglers it has given the didymo a beating. The flow over the last few days has been down in the low 300’s. Today and for the weekend it is predicted to remain in the mid 300 cumec range.

An inspection on Wednesday of the enhanced tributary of the lower Ohau with engineers from Environment Canterbury showed Sockeye salmon still immigrating out of the Ohau River. Ecan staff were impressed with the results of their good work in stream clearance. The stream is a hive of activity with redds being excavated and feisty salmon battling it out for suitors and prime redd sites. Completed redds are well protected by one of the parent fish and woe betide any intruder that ventures too close. My guess is there are more salmon in the tributary stream than there were last year however in the Lower Ohau there appears to be a lower number. On the 9th of March last year I counted 7400 sockeye in the Lower Ohau. This year the aerial count is scheduled for about the 13th, weather permitting.

In the Waitaki River, their bigger cousins, Chinooks, have yet to make headline news. While rumours abound about an increase in catch rate, now that the North Island is getting its act together and flows have lowered by 100 cumecs, or thereabouts, the catch rate in the Waitaki River should pick up, providing the fish are there to be caught.

Tight lines

by Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game.

High river flows in the Waitaki River continue and while this is having a beneficial effect on didymo it is disadvantageous to salmon anglers as many of the known “salmon holes” are inaccessible at 400 cumecs. Despite the flow there is still a steady catch rate although numbers are not high. On average however, the salmon appear to be larger than in the last few seasons with high 20, low 30 “pounders” being weighed in at local camps and at the Glenavy Hotel. The proprietors have been weighing and keeping records of salmon catches for as long as I can remember. As many Waitaki anglers know, “the Glenavy” is a well known gathering place for salmon fishers. It’s also a great place to find out what’s happening and where, a place to reflect on salmon fishing days over a cold one and admire the collection of salmon mounts, some of the Waitaki’s largest, which adorn the walls of the bar.

Sockeye salmon were first observed in the enhanced lower Ohau River tributary on the 27th of February last year. On the 25th of February this year, last Monday, I walked the lower sections of the stream saw no fish but by pure chance observed the first 4 Sockeye enter the spawning stream, 3 males and a single female. They were soon followed by 2 more and I suppose if I had had the time I could have sat there all day and watched the spawning migration in progress. Local Ecan engineer Ray Newman called to say that the spawning ground was filling with salmon but a dam board set in place to assist accurate measurement of flows was causing a bottle neck. Despite the centre of the board having a large slot sawn in it to assist upstream migration the “Sockeyes” are ignoring the most obvious route and attempting to migrate up either side where there is the least over-topping of the weir. The board has been lifted temporarily.

The lower Ohau River is a disgusting sight choked with didymo where last year there was none. However at this stage it is not thought to be too much of a problem as last year the sockeye excavated redds through growths of didymo. How the didymo affects water movement through the gravels of the redd is not known. Nor is it known if the minuscule food items sockeye fry require is affected by the didymo infestation. The situation would make an interesting project for a budding fisheries scientist.

I have travelled past 3 of the valley lakes on 3 occasions this week and despite the excellent weather there has been minimal trout fishing activity, almost nil. Weekends are much busier, however as a wet few days is predicted, there could be a “safe” weekend ahead for trout.

All rivers are on a steady downward trend, the Rangitata River has been high and discoloured due to norwest conditions and at present is flowing at about 78 cumecs down from 250 earlier in the week, the Opihi River is down from 10 cumecs to 3.6 , Ahuriri River from 28 down to14 cumecs, Haka down from 1.5 to .9, Maerewhenua down from 2.1 to 1.1 and the Kakanui down from 1.5 to .65 cumecs. The Waitaki River is expected to remain high in the range of 350 to 425 cumecs for the weekend.

Tight lines.

by Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

Another very warm week most of which I spent at one of my favourite locations, Lake Ohau. The days were clear and calm until the arrival of the afternoon CPB, (Canterbury Plains Breeze). I’m unsure as to why it’s called a Canterbury phenomenon as it crosses the boundary into Otago on a regular basis, nor why it’s called a “breeze” The air movement could better be described as rather brisk wind. Boat fishing becomes hard work and there is always a struggle to keep the vessel on course and trolling in fish catching depths, especially along the extremely convoluted shoreline at the head of the lake. If the fish aren’t cooperating however, the rough conditions provide a perfect excuse to head for shore, retire to camp and discuss the mornings results, or lack of them, and what we will do when the wind drops. What better way to do this than with drinks and “nibbles”? Some of fishing experiences had by the occupants of the two boats we use on our annual family get- together become legend others are totally untrue. It is not important if one crew catches more or bigger fish, it’s not a competition, (yeah right), however it is always good fun and a great way to “catch-up” with family members domiciled in distant parts of the island.

Lake Ohau and its tributaries provides many opportunities for anglers if you strike the weather right, this is not always possible due to the prevalent “Norwesters” which only blow strong to gale force. As I said it’s a family get together which rules out me sneaking off with a fly rod somewhere, and Tuesday and Wednesday mornings were ideal for polaroiding the lake edge. From an elevated position in my boat I saw many trout cruising the rippled sands of the lake bed as we idled on by. The Dobson River mouth and shoreline on both sides for a considerable distance is clean, firm sand and any trout moving are quite easy to see.

The lake was not over generous with its offerings on this trip, four rods on four outings, mornings and evenings, caught about 16 fish and lost about 4 or 5, it‘s not a competition so who’s counting. (We got 4 more than they did!)

The catch was mostly “browns” usually the catch is predominately “rainbows”. Condition factors of the “browns” and smaller Rainbow trout were high but 2 larger “rainbows” were marginally leaner. The fish were not weighed but my "guestimate" is the smallest at 500 gm up to 1500 gm. Of course the ones that got away were monstrous.

What did we catch them on? I have to admit that I buy a couple of new lures prior to this annual event. Every year. This years creation which I paid too much for is called a “Poltergeist”, it comes with two diving bibs, the short one will take your lure to 3 metres, the long bib “dives to an amazing 8 metres whilst maintaining a tight shuffling action”. Well that’s what’s printed on the box. (Changing the bib is tricky as there are no instructions , but after 3 or 4 minutes I discovered how. The secret is having a very small screw driver handy to push a key from a keyway which locks it in place). While my sounder didn’t quite agree with makers claims, of course the “Hummingbird” could be at fault, after some testing and many collisions with the substrate the Australian gear was replaced with the old “tried and true”. In an attempt to find the magic colour combination. I tied many clinch knots during our fishing periods however at the risk of giving away family secrets, green and green and gold did the trick. I’ve said it before, those Rapalas can catch fish!

The low point of the trip was while scaling a fish on semi submerged herbage along the lake edge I became the victim of a “being”, which I guess was rather small but with a king size punch. Having seen the occasional bee floating along I guessed I had been stung by a bee. I had a knife in my hand and immediately scraped clean the highly sensitive area of my fourth finger. Now I haven’t come in contact with the sharp end of a honey bee since my school days but I do remember mother applying the “blue bag” from off the twin concrete tubs in the wash house and that’s about all. Within minutes and after unsuccessfully trying to gain some sympathy, ( “Do you realise that by letting the bee sting you, you have deprived it of life?” was all I got), the stinging had subsided and I guessed the cold water in which I was cleaning the catch was doing a good job. By the time camp was reached the affected area had turned a brilliant scarlet and the finger a little larger than I remember it. An hour or two later the colouration was spreading around the fingernail and up the finger. With a “concerned” brother talking of amputation before the infection reached my elbow, we all agreed that this affliction was not caused by an insect of the nectar collecting kind. On closer examination, double puncture marks indicated it may have been something with 8 legs. All anglers would have seen some impressive spiders on, in and around water when fishing. So I’m now thinking these “harmless” spiders which I have handled with ease in the past I will now leave well alone. The species may well be wrongly accused, but I am unaware of any other creature capable of inflicting such an injury. I resorted to some bush surgery with a sterilized needle the colour remains and a very annoying itch has begun. A good sign I hope.

Having been out of circulation for most of the week information on salmon fishing has been limited excepting that in the lower Waitaki River the catch rate has been slow. “Scuttlebutt” indicates that a couple of fish lost were huge. One fish observed by several anglers, after a lengthy battle, was about to be tailed up the beach when the hook “fell out”. This salmon was rumoured to be in the high 30’s (pounds) and may have been a 40 pounder!

Despite a rosy dawn this morning, “Red sky in the morning , etc, etc”, the Met’ office forecasts fine and settled weather to remain for a few days yet and all waters are clear and fishable. The last rain event was of great benefit and the Haka and Maerewhenua Rivers are still flowing above 1.5 cumecs. The Ahuriri River is low and clear at 11 cumecs and an Omarama angler informs me that while the fish are easy to find they are not feeding and refuse anything cast to them. The Waitaki River at 419 cumecs will remain at flows close to this during the weekend.

Tight lines.

by Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game.
Changeable weather conditions and cooling of air temperatures has been refreshing. Mondays deluge accompanied by a noisy electrical storm was of short duration but low flows steadied in affected areas. With a good rain of 12.0 mm at Kurow overnight , the Hakataramea and Maerewhenua Rivers are on the increase. The Haka is still rising and at present is at 2.3 cumecs, the Maerewhenua peaked briefly at close to 40 but is receding and now at 11.0 cumecs. The Ahuriri River is rising and with the rain still falling in the high country (6.30 am on 15.2.08) my guess is it will exceed the present flow of 14.5cumecs. Temuka staff report that South Canterbury rivers to the north are rising and that they may be discoloured for the whole weekend. With the Rangitata River at 125 cumecs and rising it is expected to be similarly affected. The weekend’s weather looks a bit scruffy and from my office window I can see a generous dump of snow on the St Mary Range. The southerly wind will have a bite to it.

There have been higher flows in the Waitaki River again this week, up to 460 cumecs, and from all reports this is having an effect on didymo with minimal fouling of fishing gear. There are 407 cumecs trundling down at this time, however it is predicted the flows will be in the 300 to 350 cumec area during the weekend.

Salmon have been seen and hooked in the upper stretches of the Waitaki River indicating there has been some movement from the lower river and that any likely “salmon hole” could be productive through the remainder of the season.
With February “galloping along”, if anyone wanted to target pre spawning Sockeye salmon, now would be the time to do some exploratory fishing in the Haldon Arm of Lake Benmore concentrating on the water around Ohau “C” and across to the confluence of the Tekapo and Ohau Rivers. Trolling trout lures has worked in the past, I suspect smaller than larger patterns would work best. According to last years diary, Sockeye salmon were migrating up the Ohau river and unnamed tributary on the 27th February. From the numbers I saw and the distance they had travelled my guess is they had been on migration for several days. If their timetable is the same as in 2007, next week will be about the right time to catch schooling “Sockeyes”.

I spent almost a day on the Haldon Arm of Lake Benmore in a 6 metre boat crammed with batteries two computers, several boxes filled with cables and fittings plus a large and interesting apparatus covered in switches and dials. All this paraphernalia was connected to two cables which led to a large transducer submerged half a meter below the surface attached to a starboard gunwale fitting. The apparatus belonged to NIWA and Stefan from Quebec Canada was the very knowledgeable operator, Bill Jarvie from Fish and Game Southland supplied and skippered the vessel. The object of the exercise was to collect data from the sonar which was operated while the boat was steered on a predetermined course . The course was a zig-zag route from shore out to 30 metres and then turn and return to shore and then back out to 30 meters and we did this for most of the day. Now at planing speed this could have been fun but at a steady 1100 rpm on the big “Merc's” tacho', about 5 knots I guess, this became rather tedious. The screen showed fish of all sizes from miniscule dots to banana shapes indicating large fish however without a fishing pole on board and after some 20 kilometres it became rather tedious. No stops were permitted and speed had to be constant. It was obvious however that the bulk of the fish population was located at the very top of the lake and that the further one travelled towards Benmore Dam fewer fish showed on the screen. That of course was the most visible and obvious results, however much of the information was locked up in the on board computer and would not be available until deciphered back at NIWA headquarters. The object of the exercise, as I understand it, is to find a reliable method of assessing fish populations in lakes. The first lake surveyed was Lake Coleridge, then Lake Benmore, Hawea and then I assume waters further south. The following day the survey was to be carried out on the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore and closer to home I was interested to see how the two arms compared from a fish population perspective. Unfortunately there were more important things to do than spend a day cruising on the lake enjoying sun and scenery. How do you get these good jobs? However I called Bill, who at the time was spending a second day on Lake Hawea stating they were having difficulty finding fish. I asked how the fish numbers in the Ahuriri Arm compared. They were impressed with the Haldon Arm numbers so the Ahuriri Arm would have them in raptures.
Not so. Haldon Arm was by far the most prolific producer. I was surprised. I started thinking about it. The Ahuriri Arm is not deep, especially where most of the fish are taken, perhaps a large hull at full displacement in these depths dispersed fish outside the transducer’s arc and therefore less sonar contacts were made. It will be interesting to read the full report at the end of the mission, the information collected will show at what depth most fish were located and there may be some truth in my shallow water thinking.

While discussing my fish finding day with angling and hunting friend Tom who had telephoned to see if I would go fishing with him, he asked if there was anything he should know. I noticed, as did Bill and Stefan, that wherever we located a drowned tree on the screen, remnants of pre hydro days, without fail there was always a large fish in close proximity. Although we were in a different arm of the lake to where Tom was heading I passed on the information. That evening I received a call from Tom saying he had picked up two trees on his fish finder and had spent just a little more effort casting around them to be rewarded with a good fish from each. Science, sonar and skill equals fish!

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game Officer

With a public holiday midweek and glorious weather, it was inevitable some trout in the region would be caught. The slowing of the trout catch rate in the valley’s lakes appears to have been reversed, possibly due to the loss of many holiday makers or the cooler spell with rain, probably a combination of both. I have received some good reports especially from Lake Benmore. I was informed of an angler who set out to catch a 2 to 3 pounder to put in his smoker. The angler went home without his fish simply because he couldn’t catch one small enough! Now that’s a fisherman’s story with a twist. Apparently all the fish he landed were 5’s and 6’s, far too big for the stainless steel “hot smoker” every angler seems to own.

No salmon were caught in the Waitaki River on Waitangi Day, or none that we’ve heard of, however last Sunday there was some excitement with 6 salmon landed in the lower river and on Tuesday there were 8. That’s almost a run! Perhaps not, but as one angler reminded me, this is what happened last year, with no big catches beginning until the last week in February. Salmon then became more numerous as the season progressed with the best week being the last week of the season. The season for salmon is again a shortened one, it closes on the last day of March, so there is some trepidation amongst anglers that the runs may come too late.

In the Rangitata River the last few days have been quiet, however Mark Webb from our Temuka office tells me about 30 were landed earlier in the week.

I enjoy angler’s stories and hearing how an ordinary day can take a “U” turn and become an extraordinary day. I was talking to an acquaintance and friend of many years Richard Hill a very keen and successful angler despite being confined to a wheel chair. When ever I stop at the Oamaru sports store where Richard works he most often relates his exploits or his observations while fishing the Waitaki lakes. I think that you and I, as fully mobile anglers may never experience or ever think twice about some of Richards knotty little problems.

I don’t doubt that many of us in the process of landing a fish have had the trout race between our legs. You step over the line and the fish is able to run free. Simple. Not for Richard. What do you do when fishing from lake side shallows and the fish you are about to net races between the wheels? The wheels you’re sitting on!
From talking with Richard I get the impression that in the waters that he fishes he gets to know the local trout population very well and to him they are all different individuals. He probably spends more time in one spot than you and I and is able to do this. He has intimate knowledge of which fish cruises where and has probably caught and released a good number of them.

Anyway Richard, his usual chirpy self when I called last week said “I caught my trophy fish on the weekend” “How big?” I asked, naturally. “10.8lb on my digital scales”. I was taken a bit by surprise. "Lake Benmore?” I asked but thinking hydro canal. “Yep, they put me in a kayak” “What did you catch him on, spin or fly?” I inquired but thinking worm. “Nymph” he replied’ “Brown or rainbow?” “Brown”. “A fish that size would tow you a round a bit”. He laughed “I was anchored but we did a few revolutions” I immediately pictured Richard and kayak doing steady turns on the anchor rope, like the hand of a stop watch, it would have been quite an experience. Richard releases his fish but I guessed this was going to be a “wall hanger”. “Did you get some pics?” I was keen to see the monster “Bit of a sad story there, batteries were flat”

So here was Richard, a fish of a lifetime at his feet , no camera to record the event, what do you do? “I let it go” Richard said nonchalantly. I was surprised. I’m not so sure I would have had it been me. Where’s the proof, who’d believe me? “I’m not worried” said Richard when I mentioned the all important photograph. “ I know I caught him”.

A lot of people, including me, would find that easy to say but might struggle making the decision, a decision that needs to made reasonably quickly. The more I thought about Richard’s trophy fish, the better I thought of Richard and in fact it’s quite extraordinary how his big moment in trout fishing made me, and I suspect others I have told the story to, think a bit more about catch and release and having the courage to return the “big one” back to the water. I suppose you have to be in that situation to know exactly what you would do at that crucial moment. Congratulations Richard, a great achievement landing a double figure trophy fish, an even greater feat, letting it go. (Richard informs me his camera batteries are now fully charged).

With salmon appearing in the Waitaki River at last, those heading out there will find the river flowing in the 300 to 400 cumec range, the South Island doing its bit to keep the North supplied with electricity. The good thing about the higher flows we have been experiencing is the didymo is being pruned back and I’m told salmon fishing is almost didymo free.

The smaller rivers are getting smaller however the Hakataramea River is holding at about 650 litres per second. The Ahuriri River has dropped a further 2 cumecs flowing now at 11 cumecs. To the north the Rangitata is at 58 cumecs and the Opihi at about 5 cumecs.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game Officer

The hot weather continues and the recent rain as beneficial as it was to some has undone much of the fish salvage work completed in previous weeks. Although there was not sufficient rain to fill the Hakataramea River there was enough to raise the level in isolated pools so as to reconnect several of them. Those pools which had been netted and electro fished of their stranded residents have now been repopulated as fingerlings and smolts drift downstream from those deeper pools still safe and populated with fish. As the levels fall they will all require fish salvage once again.

Salmon news centres on the Rangitata River catches however on Sunday I received a call from an Oamaru angler Trevor Hill, who I’m constantly calling to find out what’s happening in the Waitaki. Trevor caught two salmon from his boat within several minutes in the lower Waitaki River. They are the first to be on the board at the Glenavy Hotel . If I remember correctly, they weighed 20 and 22 pounds.

I thought this would attract some anglers however while flying the region on the annual shelduck and Black Swan trend counts yesterday I did not see anyone fishing the lower river. There were two parties fishing on the Ahuriri River, 3 boats on Lake Tekapo and one on Lake Alexandrina. Not a lot of angling effort for the many trout waters I over flew.

The Waitaki River trout population appears to be in good health still. After a mid week excursion by an angling friend he reported sighting many good trout, all rising. He couldn’t establish what they were taking but a small parachute “Adams” fooled the fish he could get a line to. The catch rate was not good but just seeing them “on the top” was a great experience. He did say that while boating the river the bottom turned an unusual grey colour. He thought “not another kind of weed!” He stopped to check out one of these areas only to find he was looking at a clean gravel bed. Large areas with not a strand of didymo to be seen. Very unusual but probably nothing to get too excited about.

River flows continue to recede and all waters are lower than at this time last week. The Haka is now down to .630, Maerewhenua at .558, the Waihao .240 and the Kakanui at .319, Opihi 3.5cumecs. In the high country the Ahuriri River is flowing at a low 12.8 cumecs and the Rangitata at 61.0cumecs. The Waitaki has been up in the low 400’s but should be around 300 cumecs for the weekend. Anglers who intend being in the lower Tekapo River area should be aware that there will be a recreational release of water down the Pukaki River, ( for the kayak and canoe enthusiasts) beginning at 5.00am on Sunday 3rd February with 35 cumecs until 3.00pm in the afternoon when flows will have increased to 140 cumecs.

Finally, it’s farewell to Richard Fitzpatrick from Otago Fish and Game Region, Richard and I converse on most Thursdays regarding fishing in our respective regions, we swap information for our Friday reports and generally keep in touch with what’s happening around the two regions. This is Richard’s last week working for Fish and Game. His resignation will be quite an inconvenience for Otago as his knowledge and skills will be difficult to replace. Richard tells me that the cicada season is in full swing in Otago’s tussock country and that the Logan Burn Dam is fishing particularly well. The lower Clutha River is still full of cooperative trout and he said this was an extraordinary event. My Otago information will now be sadly lacking. Thanks for all your help.

Good luck and tight lines Richard!

Graeme Hughes, Fish &Game Officer

The region received a welcome rain and although it was heavy in places, where it was needed most, there is little evidence of a change in river flows. The Ahuriri River peaked at 54 cumecs, up 36 cumecs and the Maerewhenua rose from 700 litres per second to 1.4cumecs. The Hakataramea River remains at a low flow, 800 litres per second at the time of writing this report.

With most holiday makers back at work there are still many camped along riverbanks and lake shorelines. During the last week I have had reports of mixed fishing success, however it does appear that on the lakes at least, there has been a slowing of the catch rate. This is probably not surprising when you consider the exposure the trout population has had during the recognised holiday period. The disturbance factor is greatly increased, boats of all types jet, prop and paddle power. Hours of high speed orbits by towed water toys, and of course an increase in the fishing effort. I visited a spot with rod in hand knowing that there were always fish visible and where there is minimal fishing pressure. I became suspicious when I put three good fish down without making any obvious mistakes. The wrong choice of nymph or fly will often be “perused and refused” but to streak for escape cover at the sight of an imitation was not what I expected. My suspicions were further aroused when I noticed tracks through the parched grasses and the empty bottles and food wrappers that the inconsiderate visitors could not carry home. These fish were well educated and their memory is obviously way beyond that of the common goldfish. I’ll give them a couple of weeks and try again, by then they may be more forgiving should I choose the wrong pattern again.

The netting and electro fishing in the Hakataramea River continues however large numbers of fingerlings remain in some pools which although not connected to any surface flow are still too deep to effectively work but at risk from predation and drying. Work will continue until there is a significant rain event.

The Brown beetle flight is over, caddis numbers have dwindled , however cicadas have just started their chirping chorus providing high country trout with a new diet. It is a time of big food items for fish and big opportunities for fisherpersons. The delicate presentation required for fishing a mayfly imitation can be completely disregarded when the cicadas are flying. In fact the “splat” of a large deer hair cicada pattern on the surface is much like a dinner gong to trout which have “switched on” to this annual feasting. The “takes” are usually eruptions, often from some depth, with much splash and noise. There is nothing tidy about a trout’s feeding habits when cicadas are on the menu. Cicada fishing is poor training for a novice fly fisher as you can break several golden rules of fly casting and still catch your fish. If you miss-time the lift and fail to hook a rising trout, you can put the fly back immediately and it will be taken again, and again, but after about the third time even the most uneducated trout will probably guess that something is not quite right.

Salmon in the Rangitata River are still providing exciting times for the angler.
The season started well at the Rangitata with good catches of spring run fish in November/December and has continued on into January with both the number and size of fish surprising anglers. Fish weighing up to 13.6kg or 30 pound have been confirmed with reports of larger fish landed as well. Anglers have also commented on the excellent condition these fish seem to be in suggesting that conditions and food supply have been favourable at sea for the past three years. Around 380 salmon have been landed at the mouth with last week yielding 44 fish for one day! Mouth anglers have not been the only ones to have increased catch rates with river fishermen regularly taking limit bags as well. Salmon are well spread throughout the river now, allowing anglers who prefer quieter waters to fish away from the crowds. It has been about seven years since we have seen a run of fish like this and with just over two months to the end of the season it is likely that a few more will be added to the tally. Salmon have also been taken in the Orari, Opihi and Ashburton Rivers but in much lesser numbers.

It has taken a while but the local scuttlebutt has it that “a few” salmon have been taken in the lower Waitaki River. Details are as usual sketchy however with the information soon to become common knowledge it can be expected that the angling effort on the river will increase and with more gear in the water there should be more fish landed.

Trout fishing in the Waitaki River is still productive however the catch rate is much greater for jet boat owners who can move about exploring the many possibilities available. A recent report from an experienced Waitaki angler suggests that spinning is successful providing you are able to withstand the annoyance of didymo. Casting a nymph is much less work and on average provides a better catch rate.
Conditions for the weekend ahead are favourable, the cooler weather is a welcome and refreshing respite from those grass crackling, parched days recently endured. Most waters clear and fishable. The Ahuriri River is receding after reaching 70 cumecs and is presently flowing at 20 cumecs . It was quite murky during the week so I would expect it to be fishable but with a “smidgen” of colour. All other trout waters are fishable. If the target is salmon this weekend the Waitaki is clear and expected to be running at about 300 cumecs. The Rangitata River peaked at about 330 cumecs, is receding and yesterday it was at 125 cumecs, today down to 82.9 and clearing. Local opinion suggests it should be clear enough for fishing on Saturday, definitely by Sunday.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish and Game Officer

The week has been warm and windy. Not good fishing conditions. A brief shower mid week of about 2mm was refreshing but that was about it. Today, Friday, light rain is falling but this is expected to clear during the day. An Otago colleague told me that it “belted down” in Dunedin and rivers of the Otago Fish & Game region were beginning to rise. If you’re heading south for some trout fishing you should check with the OFG office for river conditions. From my conversation with him the Clutha River is currently fishing very well.

All smaller trout fisheries of the CSI region are under stress with fish salvage from drying streams underway. The Hakataramea River is dry for about 2 km and several thousand fish, mainly juveniles, have been moved downstream to permanent water. Unfortunately as often happens in the wild, a disaster for one species is a wind fall for another. It is “a time of plenty” for a large number of white-faced herons. Several bands of these efficient fishers, 28 in one flock, is taking advantage of the situation and I suspect eating more small fish than I can catch by electro fishing.

It is during these time of low flows one can actually see how productive small trout streams can be. Under any overhanging bank eels are numerous, and large trout, all “browns” up to 3.0 kg, seek cover. In the main channel where water is reduced to about shin deep the water moves with fingerlings in their thousands. Without being too accurate the catch so far consists of about 80% brown trout, 10% rainbow and 10% chinook salmon. Common and Upland bullies are everywhere in the shallows and at the head of the pools where water trickles through the cobbles, Common River Galaxids seek out what little flow there is.

While the Waitaki River has failed to give up its salmon in the Rangitata River the catch rate has been quite astounding and it is being said that it’s the best salmon catch since the year 2000.

On two separate days Rangitata anglers took 44 and 30 salmon. The total catch this year at the mouth has exceeded 200 with the south side being the most productive.
It would not be a Hughes report if I did not mention didymo. But this is good news, sort of. I was wrong! But on this occasion it was good to be wrong. The sample of algae I collected from the Aviemore Spawning Race was Gomphoneis not Didymosphenia geminata. Although it was in its early stages and was mixed up with filamentous algae it sure looked like didymo to me. I put 2 and 2 together and got 5! With the long hot sunny days the didymo look alike had flourished and this bloom of brown algae coupled with the knowledge that didymo already exists in tributaries of lakes upstream, I assumed incorrectly that at last and inevitably the horrible stuff had made it through Lake Benmore and Lake Aviemore finding suitable substrate to cling to in the gravelled spawning race.

The Waitaki River has been running higher this week due to several “outages” requiring more production from local hydro dams. In the high 300 up to 400 cumecs this has increased the amount of didymo drifting downstream. Anglers claim that fishing in the lower river is frustrating if the river runs above 300 cumecs.

Other news about didymo it is reported to be dying off in the Maerewhenua River. Below Wrights Crossing in the Hakataramea River I have observed the same. The didymo while only in its early stages here, is dying off and easily dislodged from the stones with ones hand. Anyway this is interesting stuff and I have passed on the information to ECAN as I believe someone with knowledge should be looking into these unusual but very welcome occurrences.

Excepting for the Ahuriri River which has risen 5 cumecs to 18.0cumecs, flows for the weekend will remain low with all volumes down slightly from last week. The Waitaki River presently at 251 cumecs should run between 200 and 300cumecs. The Rangitata River which I suspect will be a busy place is recorded at 82 cumecs and clearing nicely for the weekend salmon angler.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish and Game Officer

The new year has provided the hot dry weather much sought after by many holiday makers camping in the region, the down side being trout streams are dangerously low and fish salvage is imminent in several unless there is a significant rain event.
Since my last report on the 21st December there has been a steady decline in flows: the Ahuriri River, 28 down to 13.3 cumecs, Maerewhenua from1.1 to .75, Hakataramea from 1.9 to .87, Rangitata, from a flood flow of 400 cumecs now at 82.7 and the Opihi, 11.5 down to 4.1.
Understandably, fishing in low, clear waters is hard work and can be quite frustrating. Not forgetting that an increase in angler visits, holiday makers, has every trout on “red alert”. Long leaders, light tippets and pin point accurate casting are required. Presentation is everything as fish will bolt for cover if anything heavier than a thistle seed settles on the surface.
Although I have been out of the district recent fishing history in the valley indicates that the Waitaki Lakes and the Waitaki River, despite didymo, have been providing trout consistently over the last 3 weeks, but salmon have been late to appear. Whereas the Rangitata is in full swing with 111 fish weighed in over the last 10 days, only 2 salmon have been reported, taken at the Waitaki mouth on the south side. An acquaintance saw a salmon below Kurow but seeing one is not quite the same.
There are still a few sea run “browns” being caught and I saw a brace of silver beauties taken on natural smelt on Wednesday with a combined weight of about 7 kg.
Arriving at the Aviemore Spawning Race on Wednesday to begin some bank side maintenance I immediately saw the unmistakeable rusty brown colouration on some areas of gravel. I retrieved several stones covered in didymo and sent a sample of to Ecan to have it officially identified. I last visited the race in October and at that time everything looked normal. The race is the only permanent water where Lake Waitaki trout can spawn. The Awahokomo Stream, a small tributary near the Waitaki Dam, at times has sufficient flow to attract spawning trout into it however the flows usually cease early summer and on most years the hatch is lost. Each year from about May up until October some 600 trout, rainbow and brown, migrate into the Aviemore Spawning Race. While I have observed trout and salmon excavate redds in didymo covered substrate, I guess it depends how fast the redd is covered by the invasive algae as to how much the incubating eggs or hatched juveniles will be affected. Water must percolate through the pockets of ova contained within the redd to provide life giving oxygen and remove waste. After hatching the alevins having absorbed their yolk sacs become “swim up fry” and move up through the gravels to become free swimming. If they can find their way through the gravel of the redd I suspect the didymo should be no problem for them. The newly emerged fry then need to find enough food to exist in the nursery water. There have been researchers look at the productivity of the spawning race in the early 90’s. The race may provide opportunities to find out if didymo is affecting reproduction of trout in affected waters.
If you are heading north to fish the Rakaia River please note that the daily bag limit for trout is 2 not 4 as in the Waitaki River. We have had a call from North Canterbury claiming that Central South Island anglers have been unaware that there is a lesser daily bag in the Rakaia River.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish and Game Officer

Some very welcome rain in the region bumped up flows and halted the steady downward trend in the smaller waters. Fishing appears to be temporarily on hold as the population prepares for Christmas and some holiday time. The week’s weather has been a bit scruffy with overcast conditions with the wind brisk at times from the west and the south. My time management has failed miserably when I lost a day due to unexpected and unscheduled work popping up out of nowhere. Prior to this I did have two mornings on Lake Waitaki where with limited time I fished minor solunar periods and despite the grey days and spots of rain my guest took home several lake limited salmon, brown and rainbow trout. With the tables I was able to pick the best tines to fish, without the tables I could be further behind than I am now. Along with Waitaki Valley fish my guest also took home a “bundle of bunnies” I shot on the Kurow rugby field and through the fence on the neighbours property. The rabbit numbers have now got out of hand and both the neighbour and I have been taking a dozen or so per night without moving more than 500 meters from the house. You can’t see where we’ve been and those that remain are become very suspicious. The clever and elusve indivdual that has been continually digging up my lawn came to a “sticky end”. His time was up. His “sticky end” could have been worse on Saturday when I almost took him out with the “ride on” while racing around the shrubbery cutting what grass was left.

The Otiake River algae sample I sent off last week received official identification, Didymosphenia geminata is alive and well in this small tributary of Waitaki. The sample from the Awakino River was, as suspected, a similar looking native algae Gomphoneis, quite harmless. The question still remains how did didymo get in to the Otaike. Anglers, their boats or vehicles can’t be blamed for this outbreak. The most likely vector may be of the feathered kind.

Salmon fishing has not been good over the past week, the Rangitata peaked at 400 cumecs but is falling rapidly , 150 cumecs at present so looking good for the weekend through to Christmas Day. A salmon was hooked and lost in the Opihi at the State Highway 1 bridge and f any one’s caught a salmon in the Waitaki River they’re keeping it a secret. All other waters are clear and fishable , perhaps a “smidgin” of colour in the Ahuriri River which rose to 60 cumecs but is now down to a respectable 27 cumecs.

Due to time constraints my facts and figures on how much a fishery is worth to a community will have to wait until the new year.

Thanks to the anglers who contacted me after my request for information regarding the lagarosiphon spraying on Lake Benmore, your comments have been helpful and are appreciated. To other correspondents, we value your input and comments throughout the year.

Have a great Christmas enjoy New Year celebrations and until my next report which should be 4th January 2008, tight lines!

Graeme Hughes, Fish and Game Officer

A rainfall of 5mm was obviously not enough to do much for the water shortage affecting small trout fisheries. Snow fed rivers however received norwest rain and the Ohau catchment appeared to get its own deluge which swelled the Hopkins and Dobson Rivers filling Lake Ohau rapidly. Much of the power generation is presently coming from Lake Ohau, the larger Pukaki and Tekapo lake storage being saved as they are presently at low levels. The Rangitata peaked at 250 cumecs and is now flowing at 198 cumecs. With the increased flow and some added colour salmon catches should increase as the levels fall. There has been 24 salmon taken at the mouth in the last 4 weeks and salmon should now be well spread through to the upper reaches. The Ahuriri River received 40 cumecs and there will be some colour however it is dropping and clearing flowing at 27 cumecs. The Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore will be a bit murky. There is a slight drop in the Haka flowing at 1.1 cumecs and the Maerewhenua has steadied at 731 litres per second. The Waitaki River is at 340 cumecs and expected to drop and for the weekend predicted to be in the 250 to 300 cumec area.

For reasons unknown the fishing news has been rather quiet this week. A colleague from Otago fished the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore and during the day, I’m not sure of the hours spent fishing, he an a companion landed 25 trout. He reported that the lagarosiphon “looked a bit flat” and that’s understandable as it was sprayed with a herbicide in a gel form on the 28th of November. This is ongoing to keep this oxygen weed under control. We don’t want the head of the lake to look like Lake Dunstan.
I received a complaint at that time from an angler who believed that there should have been a warning sign at Sailors Cutting. He stated that spraying by helicopter continued around him and that he left after a short time as the experience was not pleasant and that he began to feel unwell due to the close proximity of the operation. The lack of signage is disputed by the contractor and further investigation is underway.
Anglers on the lake on the 28th should contact the writer or the Temuka Fish and Game office if they have any comments regarding the spraying and signage.

Tight lines

Graeme Hughes, Fish and Game Officer

The opening of the upper Ahuriri River created considerable interest in the top section but the lower area, Avon Burn downstream to Longslip Creek was hardly fished. There was no shortage of fish and as expected a good early season catch rate was achieved by anglers on nymph and dry fly. Reports of increased growths of didymo are disappointing.

Elsewhere in the region successful reports indicate an increased number of salmon in the Rangitata and consequently more successful anglers. The number caught is easy to keep track of when the catch rate is low, however with salmon well up river and anglers widely spread it becomes more difficult to provide an accurate assessment.
There is some activity at the Waitaki River mouth as sea run “browns” feed on smelt. Fishing the natural however has been difficult due to the downstream drift of didymo. One angler I spoke with, who has fished the natural “silvery” successfully for many decades, has given up because of his inability to keep line and bait clear of algae.
Continued reports of good fishing filter through, the Opihi River features as one of the better coastal waters and the Tekapo as always provides excellent catch rates despite the increase in the growth and range of didymo.

The Waitaki River was up in the low 300’s on Thursday and that was the afternoon which I chose to bond with my fly rod and dry fly, something I’ve not done since last season. The didymo floating past, dislodged by the increased flow was phenomenal and quite off putting. Although several fish were seen, they were quite obstinate , refusing dries and nymphs. My “off sider” fooled one, a rainbow of medium proportions which stretched the leader but without aerobatics. It was quickly beached and released. Well it was his birthday so he deserved a fish. Although the sun was shining, the easterly was strong and cold. Casting lacked accuracy, I discovered two new holes in my waders, one in each and I have to admit my heart was not really in the job at hand. It was good to boat with the wind on the way home, despite continual evasive action to avoid the jet unit consuming large mats of didymo.

The summer is shaping up to be a dry affair and with no significant rainfall river flows continue to fall. All waters have dropped excepting the Ahuriri, and the Tekapo of course. The Waitaki will be in the 250 to 300 cumec range for the weekend and perhaps a salmon or two may herald the beginning of the salmon migration here.

Solunar periods

I received an inquiry via the Email asking about solunar tables which I wrote about last week. Not all anglers are convinced that they are important, however if you have limited time or had a choice of times to go fishing, in my opinion, if you could fish the times as stipulated in the tables, then it would be foolish not to.

Fishing or hunting times are calculated from positions of the sun and moon hence the name solunar, “sol” meaning sun, “luna” meaning moon. About 60 years ago an American, John Alden Knight, wanted to know why he could cast for many hours without a bite, and then suddenly the fish began to feed and he would catch fish. After a period of time they appeared to stop feeding just as suddenly as he would cease to hook fish. He sensibly thought that if these periods of activity could be predicted it would save countless hours of fruitless casting. Knight’s theory claims that the solunar periods occurred 4 times a day. The 4 periods are designated as “minor” and “major” feeding periods. The “minor” is a shorter period and feeding may last 45 minutes to an hour. The “major” period may last for 1.5 to 2 hours or longer. Knight claims that anglers should not ignore the “minor” as often the best sport of the day may be experienced during this shorter period.

Mickey Finn streamer

Incidentally Knight who was a successful and well known angler produced a now very well known American streamer fly which he named “Mickey Finn”. It has enjoyed great success and has been produced commercially for many decades. Orvis Fly Patterns catalogue describe the materials to produce the Mickey Finn as:
Hook - Mustad 9575 or Mustad 3665A.
Size - 6 to 12.
Thread - Black 6 / 0 waxed.
Tag - Red monochord to secure end of Mylar piping body.
Body - Fine silver Mylar piping.
Wing - Yellow Bucktail over red Bucktail over yellow Bucktail sparsely tied.

Back to the tables. If climatic conditions are poor, perhaps a falling barometer or when air or water temperatures are abnormal or during electrical storms, then solunar tables should not be expected to be accurate.

The solunar tables which apply to hunting times as well as fishing do not guarantee success however they do predict times when fish, gamebirds and game animals are likely to be active, thereby increasing the opportunities for hunters and anglers to be successful.

Cobles Moon theory

Similarly there is Cobles Moon theory. Grady Coble believed that fish strike best fishing on days preceded by “the dark of the moon” and strike least “on the light of the moon”. The theory being that when there is “a dark of the moon” the fish cannot see to feed during the hours of darkness and therefore feed most consistently during the day. Conversely on “the light of the moon” the fish can see to feed at night and as a result because of their nocturnal feeding they are not so active during the day. Sounds sensible however I’m sure we can all remember times where the opposite has occurred.

Theories and tables can be an interesting addition to the outdoors persons’ knowledge however one should not use them as an excuse for not going out. Not venturing out because the predicted activity time for fish falls outside of the time you have planned to be out fishing is a nonsense. You will still catch fish outside these times. The predatory trout is not going to pass up an appetising food item should the opportunity arise.

This “woolly thinking” reminds me of the time when I first used a “fish finder” in my boat. This electronic box was going to catch me more fish than I could ever want, the instructions said so. For the next few weeks I spent more time pushing buttons and looking at the screen than I did concentrating on known fish holding areas and fishing technique. If I didn’t see fish icons waltzing across the screen then I was quite sure I wasn’t going to catch a fish. It took a while but I soon found out that I could catch fish when the screen was a blank and when the screen looked like an aquarium, often nothing would happen. Today I use the device solely for water depth information, and don’t concern myself with fish icons or the lack of them.

Perhaps as one grows older he or she appreciates more, being able to get out and hunt or fish and if times of good harvest coincide with the time you’re in the field or stream, then that’s a bonus. Still, I’ll keep the tables handy, just in case.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish and Game Officer

The weekend provided some opportunity for anglers however there would have been few fish caught on the Sunday with “Norwesters” reaching gale force early in the day. The southerly change arrived in the late evening but too late for most day trippers in the valley.

Ground conditions are dry and water levels in trout streams continue to fall.
Mid week, a brief hail storm and accompanying rain failed to register on the rain gauge however the frost which followed probably annoyed a lot of gardeners. Last night a short rain event delivered a few millimetres which appears to have varied across the region from 5 to about 10mm.

The smaller waters are still providing excellent bags to the fly fisher, mostly rainbow trout and at higher altitudes a good proportion of these still need some spawning recovery time. Reliable salmon are migrating into the Rangitata and I’m reliably informed that there have been a couple caught at the Opihi River. No salmon news for the Waitaki as yet.

Tomorrow is the first Saturday of December so the upper Ahuriri River valley will be a busy place as the season opens. The River is at a very fishable 18 cumecs and should fish well.

I was invited to accompany my Idahoan friends, who are residents of the Haka Valley for 6 months of every year, for a spell of boat fishing. Now Tom’s boat I love. It's not a sleek, long prow, fibreglass speed machine with a racy metal flake paintwork, it is purely and simply a fishing platform, boat shaped of course. I would describe it as a aluminium double ender float boat with modifications. These vessels, pointed at both ends and with considerable lift at the stern and bow are designed to fish from while drifting and rowing rivers. With minimal draught its flat hull will sweep harmlessly over shallows and while negotiating broken water the rise in bow and stern keeps the boat dry and allows progress in either direction while rowing, making it very manoeuvrable, providing the man on the “sticks” knows what he’s doing. This design of boat is not commonly found on New Zealand’s waters but it performs amazingly well. Near the stern is a well in which is mounted a four stroke Mercury outboard motor, easy start, economical and quiet, and an essential addition when boating lakes for getting from “A” to “B”.

What’s so special about this boat? It’s functional. Before launching the oars and rowlocks are fitted, laid along the gunwales with the blades clipped to holders out of the way but instantly available if required. The anchor which has its special place while on the road hangs astern and can be raised or lowered by the boat’s captain without him leaving his seat. Sitting in the captain’s or helmsman’s seat (as an invited guest one could be a helmsman but never a captain) one can start and operate the motor, drop anchor, row, fish and utilise the long handled landing net without leaving his seat. The net has a fish friendly flat synthetic “net” with very little depth. I looked at it thinking this would not envelope the fish as my deep knotted net does however it works well and I haven’t seen a fish lost from it yet, The mid section has 2 padded folding seats and there is a large flat area in the bow at gunwale height from which you can sit or stand to spot fish and cast from.

Dry storage is under the seats. Lifting the centre seats gains access to a fish bin and oodles of storage space. Under and either side of the captains seat is storage, to port one is a large tackle box well stocked with appetising fish catchers. Mounted amidships is a sounder which fits topside and is in view and arms reach of the officer in command. The entire interior is covered in comfortable sound absorbing boat carpet. Another big plus is with hull being flat and with lift at each end one the craft can be pulled right to the waterline and you can board and disembark without getting your feet wet You could wear your slippers if you felt so inclined. Everything about this craft is flat, comfortable and angler friendly.

Tom and Lorraine had not fished the Ahuriri Arm of Benmore and 40 minutes from home the boat was in the water, which demonstrated another one of its many good points, it trailers well, off and on.

A disciple of the solunar calendar Tom had informed me the tables showed a “major” early in the morning and a “minor” after lunch. I’ve written about these before and while just an apprentice when it comes to utilising the solunar times I prefer to be active during the majors rather than the minors as the span of activity for hunting or fishing is longer. However the minor fitted around other activities so on the spur of the moment the decision was made. We’re going!

With still some time to go we trolled from Sailors Cutting to the mouth of the Otamatapaio River. The sun was high, the lake still and visibility was crystal for about 3 metres. Not the most promising conditions for trolling some of Lauri Rapala’s life-like imitations. No fish activity but wonderful boating weather. Across to the Ben Omar side of the lake a shading weeping willow indicated the ideal place to consume roast turkey sandwiches helped down by a rather “moorish” bottle of red. Lunch over, as we approached the Ahuriri River delta the wind which had been quietly rising in velocity got to about the hat jamming stage. There were 2 other boats in the area and as the tables predicted I saw the occupants dealing with fish bouncing around their respective boats. A fat “rainbow” leapt to the surface attached firmly to Tom’s Rapala. After a series of aerobatics it was reverently placed in the fish bin a perfect example of a Benmore “rainbow”. Shortly after a small salmon joined the trout in the bin. At this stage spinning gear was changed for fly rods, intermediate lines and sinuous fur flies. A product from Tom’s fly tying vice they are proven fish catchers and ideal for drifting over shallows too shallow for spinning gear. Motoring up into the wind and drifting and twitching the fur flies in less than metre of water resulted in me landing a long but lean rainbow and the captain’s rig being attacked by a fish unseen. As is its way, the "norwester" increased and all other boats, now three, headed for shelter. The active time period for trout had been as predicted was “right on the button”. With a foaming following “sea” we surfed our way down the lake. Lorraine’s rod bucked wildly and line peeled from the spool. With the arbour becoming visible there was some concern that whatever was on the other end was going to escape towing a sizeable length of monofilament. The advantage of a pointed stern boat was demonstrated as a flick of the lever into reverse and we were punching into the waves with minimal splash. Regaining considerable line the fish leapt into the air and as one we yelled “It’s a salmon!” This speedy “chrome plated” torpedo was one of the biggest and best I’ve seen. Despite the large waves that rolled past, our vessel was unbelievably stable and after a couple of tense moments the fish was successfully scooped from the foaming waves . A picture perfect specimen, perhaps 1.6 kg, not a scale out of place and we agreed that it certainly was the most handsome of all the catch. We’d had a good bag and we stashed rods and surged our way to the cutting.

Spurred on by the sing of the reel and leaping fish I ventured out with 2 visitors for a quick fish on Lake Waitaki yesterday. With solunar tables times tucked away in my memory bank I bravely said after a short time stretching lines with various shallow diving “Rapalas”, to steel themselves as we were about to boat through an FPZ, (fish producing zone). Call it good luck or management within 30 seconds the first fish was on and within an hour and half in a lake which was becoming uncomfortable due to increasing winds and spray dousing the unfortunate sitting up front, we hooked 8 fish landed 4, 2 browns, 1 rainbow and a small salmon. My visitors were enthusiastic about their experience and especially adventurous with the dimensions of those that got away. We might sneak in another trip today which will depend on the weather, and the tables of course.

Solunar tables certainly work; and so do “Rapalas”!

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish and Game Officer

With no rain and warm weather, river flows, not surprisingly, are decreasing excepting for the Ahuriri and the Rangitata which are on the rise, up 10 and 9 cumecs respectively. I guess this is from snow melt along the main divide. Other snow fed rivers of the region will be similarly affected. With the wind now blowing briskly, norwest showers are predicted today and on Saturday we could expect a change in river flows to follow early next week.

Perhaps the temperatures were too high for continual catching of trout throughout the weekend. The sunburned anglers I spoke to had on average at least 2 fish to show for their efforts, but very few could claim to have caught more. From some comments I received there were a lot of trout following and then refusing the lures as the boat or the angler was spotted.

Staff in Temuka tell me that smelt, (silveries) have appeared in number at river mouths and on their arrival at the Orari River the lagoon was described as “being black with them”. This seasonal food source will attract trout however “too much of a good thing” will make foraging trout fussy and often difficult to catch.

Salmon activity has not featured this week. In the valley, while the lakes were churned up by boats and water toys, a result of a long weekend for some and the first taste of summer, the lake fishery did not produce as it has on previous weekends. The Haka and Maerewhenua Rivers are still fishing well.

The arrival of summer weather caught most of us by surprise. A complete change of daily apparel is now required. With high 20’s to low 30’s it takes a few days to adjust.
Adjusting to the climate when fishing is often ignored, however as trout are a cold water species, with the onset of extended warm and dry periods, fish feeding times and locations most often change.

In larger rivers, fishing is less affected and there is nothing better than a sun drenched day to encourage a mayfly hatch. Most tributaries streams could not support the large number of mature fish which arrive there to spawn, and a proportion of these will return to their place of origin soon after ova deposition Low levels brought about by reduced inflows and irrigation demand, will induce some of those that remain to migrate downstream to cooler and safer habitat of a larger river or lake and is common in Waitaki River tributaries. The resident trout population in their reduced habitat become very aware of their “patch” and to catch them one has to be doubly careful.

As a large percentage of lake fishers use boats which today are commonly equipped with “fish finders” if they know what they’re doing fishing can become quite clinical. The lures used will fish at a certain depth when trolled at an appropriate speed and by using a diving plug which will “swim” at a set depth, (the manufacturer usually provides this important information on the pack in which it is sold), by manoeuvring his boat around the shoreline at the contour which matches the working depth of the plug, (slightly deeper will prevent continual collision with weed beds) the chances of intercepting bottom dwelling lake trout are much greater. However, if the weather is too hot, and there will be many experts who will check water temperature, many sounder transducers will automatically record this on screen, trout will move to deeper water and will only be found along lake margins during the darkness hours or at first light in the morning.

Having towed a variety of fish catching devices around several Otago and Canterbury lakes, in my experience as the daylight increases and temperature of lake edge waters increase, the catch rate slows and the fish caught usually, not always , but usually, are smaller.

I have always regarded trolling as a very social occasion, a chance to introduce a novice to fishing, a way to have a “catch up” with friends, or if you’re into boats and boating, cruising, taking in the sights and sounds and catching fish at the same time. You can eat, drink whistle or sing and still catch fish, an interesting and relaxing way to catch trout...

by Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game Officer

Any reports I have heard on trout fishing in the region have all been good, everyone appears to be catching trout. Obviously the accounts are mostly at my end of the region, the Waitaki Valley, however the rivers to the north are also providing “heaps of fish!”

Colleague Hamish Stevens reports that 9 salmon have been caught in the Rangitata River since last week’s report, up to 11kg in weight. He also tells me that the whitebait catch has picked as has his personal success. It can’t be too successful however as he hasn’t offered me as much as a pattie! Sea run “browns” are not reported to be in huge numbers , in fact I’m told they are becoming hard to catch, perhaps they are scoring more whitebait than Hamish.

During a Honorary Rangers training weekend here in Kurow, the attendees were allowed to knock off at 5pm and go fishing. With over 40 rangers in the camp I was rather economical on detail regarding exact locations and favoured methods, however, despite me trying to conserve local fish stocks they soon had fish on the bank from the Waitaki, the Haka and from the hydro lakes. The Waitaki River produced a promising caddis “hatch’ on Saturday evening, and, as is often the way when “visitors” fish the caddis on the Waitaki they lose most of their fish. The tippets they used when last fishing a nymph or dry fly during daylight hours are far too light. Use 8 or 10 lb test or lose fish. There is nothing subdued or gentle when a Waitaki trout slashes at a large caddis swimming sub surface or resting on the surface. I think almost all the catch was returned to the water, so although my surrounds are not depleted of fish, those that remain will be a little wiser.

Incidentally, the rangers on route to Kurow had areas to check. South Canterbury officers checked waters to the north and Otago rangers joined the CSI forces checking waters further south. Just on 200 interviews were recorded, 3 offence notices were issued for fishing without a licence and a couple of notices issued for failing to produce a licence on demand. That’s not too bad!

With a thunder storm and a few showers occurring during the week, some waters received a slight increase in flow however all rivers at this time are clear and fishable. Didymo was located in the Hakataramea River during the weekend. The find is not surprising, the length of time it took to get into the Haka is. The largest tributary of the Waitaki, well fished and with migrations of spawning fish moving in and out during the spawning period it was assumed that it too would become infected. I was almost fooled into thinking that like some spring fed streams didymo would find the water chemistry of the Haka uninhabitable, but unfortunately not'

The Waitaki River viewed from the Waitaki twin bridges is quite a spectacle. I recall last summer suggesting that when next you cross the Waitaki River, take time to admire the water, the stoney bed, the dappled patterns and changing light because it will soon be gone . It has. A thick, brown carpet of didymo is flourishing, great mats of it are floating downstream as with the higher flow in the river (398 cumecs) it is being torn from the substrate. The clean areas of stones that remain are only temporary, and they will be quickly colonised by didymo cells again and so the process will be repeated. At the moment the riverbed looks quite unappealing, we have a thick carpet interspersed with bare patches and where the flow is less, long heavy tendrils which still remain undulate in the current. Even the non fisher people are appalled by the rapid change to the appearance of their river.

On a brighter note, 120,000 chinook salmon have just been released, 80,000 into Lake Benmore and 40,000 into Lake Opuha. The salmon from Sanfords Waitaki Hatchery were gifted to the Central South Island Region and released on the 14th and 15th of this month. The salmon weigh about 6 grams (about 80 mm long) and while they are small and vulnerable to predation the survivors will provide anglers in seasons to come with another species to catch , a fish which is usually much easier to catch compared to trout and a great favourite with the youngsters. Thanks to the hatchery staff who provided their large tanker and their time to transport the salmon, for obtaining the necessary authority to transport and release the fish, and thanks also to Biosecurity New Zealand for promptly processing the requests with regard to the containment of didymo .

I am aware that a proportion of anglers regard lake populations of salmon to be somewhat inferior to trout. They tend to be “boaties” trolling for trout and I guess it is because of the salmon’s size, usually small, and their performance on the end of a line, not so frenetic when compared to a feisty “rainbow”. In Lake Opuha however, salmon released there attained a weight of over 2.5 kg! Now that’s a whole lot of fish and well above the average weight of lake dwelling trout of either species. Chinook salmon appear to be quite gullible when confronted with a moving spin bait or wobbler. This “flaw” in their make up makes them easier to catch and often on a day when the trout may be more fastidious or due to other unknowns not on their feed a Chinook salmon will prevent the angler returning home “fishless”. Salmon appear to be quite gregarious and travel in small groups. This can result in a multiple “hook up” as trolled lures from a boat pass through a school of salmon. Two or three fish attached on one boat will create considerable excitement, even panic, as anglers jostle for position, lines cross, and there are no free hands to assist with a landing net. This is even more spectacular if the wind is up, the lake is rough and the boat is steadily drifting towards an unfriendly looking beach. But at the end of the day, fish landed or not, the experience is the high point of the fishing trip and will be told time and time again.

As a field officer for North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society I spent every opening weekend for 10 years on Lake Coleridge. Here the self perpetuating stock of land locked chinook salmon provide the bulk of the anglers catch. It was a common practice (and a lasting memory of the good old days) to clean the salmon and place them in the many matagouri bushes to dry which in the ever present “nor wester” did not take long. As the day warmed and the wind increased, anglers on foot and in boats returned to the Ryton River campsites their catch placed out to dry. The matagouri bush at your campsite so adorned, advertised your skills and ability as an angler, that prickly bush became a status symbol. On a good weekend the matagouri bushes which surrounded caravans and canvas 9 X 9 tents were festooned with drying salmon. After an early start relaxation was the order of the day, at least until evening when the wind would usually drop away. In tents, caravans or lying amongst the tussock happy anglers admired their catch. With their opened half gallon jars making them even happier, the days events were retold and then told again until many a weary listener lapsed into “the land of nod”.

Canterbury show weekend has seen many visitors in the valley and with a good weather forecast the regions fishery will get quite a shake up. Perhaps the first Waitaki salmon will be landed.

Tight lines.

by Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game Officer

Unlike the October opening weather conditions for the high country opening were in most places ideal and as a result reports indicate an excellent catch rate.

Colleague Hamish Stevens ranged a rather busy Tekapo River where he checked 44 anglers. Although the catch rate was not as high as last year, those who in November 2006 had caught 40 trout for the day this year had only achieved half that total. Still in most peoples’ opinion 20 fish is a good day.

The trout taken were all in great condition and the those kept for the pan were found to be well fed with invertebrate larvae; caddis, free living and cased, and mayflies. Several had consumed significant amounts of the algae didymo. Unfortunately didymo has flourished in the Tekapo with the lower reaches, below the steel bridge being well covered. Above this point the algae is much less with the upper limit of didymo at about the confluence of the Maryburn.

The Ahuriri River running discoloured and at about 32 cumecs at my last report had cleared by Saturday and conditions were described as clear and fishable. An Oamaru team, Ahuriri opening day regulars, parked at the main road bridge as per usual. By 6.30 am one angler had caught his bag limit without moving from the first pool. After an early start he suggested that they head for home, he could back to bed by 7.30! His request was ignored. By mid afternoon most anglers had at least caught the bag limit, the “top gun” amongst one Oamaru group had caught 19. The catch comprised of mainly mature rainbow trout recovering after spawning, not surprisingly, brown trout condition factors were high although the species were not numerous.

The Maerewhenua River was, as usual, popular with anglers and post spawning rainbows, several in each pool, made up the bulk of the catch, however several “bright” maiden fish were also landed. As with most waters, brown trout were keeping their heads down.

On the Hakataramea River  a regular opening day visitor from the Timaru district had what could only be described as phenomenal weekend, he and one other landed 91 trout, 90 rainbows and one brown. Apart from a few caught very high in the catchment they were reported to be “in great nick”, the single brown trout landed described as “perfect”. The water they fished had to be shared with other anglers however despite running into others, by walking a little further they fished areas which had been rested and still picked up this spectacular tally.

Whilst on their bank side wanderings they saw a young fellow fishing ahead of them, casting woefully with a fly rod. As they drew abreast of him they noted that the rod was equipped with a fixed spool spinning reel not your standard fly reel. Now that’s OK. The regulations do not stipulate the type of reel which may be used. Quite how you would successfully use one for fly casting is not known, probably not very well. However their suspicions were further aroused when the angler ‘s line became entangled in a nearby willow and from the line a hook baited with a worm was spotted. Having walked a considerable distance only to find someone “on the spot” is bad enough, to find the angler blatantly bait fishing in “fly fishing only” waters would be most displeasing! The offending angler received some good advice, albeit not very politely, which I’m lead to believe he fully understood and complied with immediately.

The topic of fishing with natural bait will in most venues where anglers congregate create considerable debate. A debate which has continued for decades and will continue to do so for many more. There appears to be only 2 views on the subject. Those who want it banned completely and those who consider it a legitimate method for catching fish. The bait fishers say that statistics confirm that if you want to conserve fish stocks. ban fly fishing because fly fishers account for the most fish.
Natural bait fishers rightly point out that they pay the same price for a fishing licence as everyone else yet they are restricted to a few lakes and a few larger rivers or the lower reaches of some rivers. The fly fisher, who can fish all waters, say “We are not stopping you fishing, we are only restricting the way you fish. You too can fish with a fly rod and fly like anyone else”.

Somewhere in between, spin fishers, who perhaps have progressed from natural bait, join with the bait casters as they too are restricted to other than “Fly fishing only” waters.

Perhaps the greatest criticism of bait fishing is that natural baits such as earth worm are often “inhaled” by the trout and the hook becomes deeply imbedded in the throat or stomach of the fish. In most cases removal of the hook is not possible or damage inflicted during removal results in mortalities after release.

There is no doubt that live natural baits are great fish catchers, the success rate is even greater if the angler actually uses his bait as a fly fisher would present his fly or nymph. With a minimum of weight , perhaps a few split shot, sufficient to lob their bait to either to a fish observed feeding or by casting into a natural feeding lane where the currents deliver food items to the trout.

The most common method however is “still fishing”. A bait is cast into still or slow moving water and anchored to the bottom with a lead sinker. The rod is propped up and any movement of the bait is signalled by activity of the rod tip. The bait is eventually consumed by a passing trout, the fish moves off only to become attached with the hidden hook. The escape attempts are quite obvious through the action of the rod and the line is retrieved. This method results in deep hooking and tissue damage. Catch and release is not an option when “still fishing”.

In 1989, I was boat fishing with two anglers aboard. Towing a variety of spinners and body baits around the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore, 3 hours trolling had not produced a fish.

At about midday, food sounded a good idea and an excuse to cease fishing when there was “nothing doing”. It was suggested that as “boaties” were taking ‘truck loads” of fish from off the mouth of the Ahuriri River on worms we should have brought some with us. Boaties using worm baits in this location had created a number of complaints, not about the number of fish being caught, which was sizeable, but the large number of undersized fish that died after being returned to the water.

The lack of activity and no fish in the bin soon had us kicking over stones and logs along the nearest shore line. With a handful of earth worms aboard I motored out to the river mouth. This would have be a “scientific experiment”. None of us had impaled a worm on a hook for many years , since our children had grown up at least. We had difficulty in locating a suitable bait hook amongst the many tackle boxes we carried on board. After throwing over an anchor, although I had the bacon and egg pie ready, I had not removed the vacuum flask stoppers and there were already 2 fish in the boat! We fished our “lunch hour”, about 120 minutes, and landed 28 trout, brown and rainbow. 7 fish were less than 25 cm and returned to the water with an unknown but doubtful survival rate, brought about by circling Black-backed gulls. The remainder were 1.0 kg up to about 1.8 kg. The lunchtime exercise equated to a catch rate of 4.5 fish per hour, or one fish every 13 minutes. The fish catching ability of the “Garden fly”, despite our lack of practice, had worked very, very well. Prior to this outing I had been sceptical about the accuracy of anglers reports, about the large numbers of fish being removed and the numbers of dead fish reported. From the “lunch hour experiment” it became quite evident that the reports had substance.

“Expert Anglers” using fly usually record the highest catch rate in angler surveys. At that time, the most recent survey of anglers fishing the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore showed that fly casters caught 0.84 fish per hour.

(As a result of angler information, to prevent the high mortalities of released under sized trout and to promote a better sharing of the resource, regulations prohibiting bait fishing from moored vessels was introduced the following season.)

My father, an experienced and successful angler was no purist when it came to fishing techniques and after considering all the variables, water colour, weather, habitat and species, he would use the method which he considered most likely to succeed at that time. If that meant using live bullies, or earth worms, then he had no hesitation in doing so. He believed that fishing a dry fly when fish were bottom feeding, because fishing a dry fly was “the done thing”, to be an utter nonsense. As a youngster I recall many times enviously admiring his catch as it spilled from the water proof liner of his canvas shoulder bag into the washhouse tub, results of the humble earth worm or perhaps a live bully. There is no question in the hands of an experienced operator natural live baits will succeed every time.

The rivers and lakes are all clear and fishable, river flows are gradually receding and all volumes are down compared with last weekend. The Ahururi is down from 32 cumecs to 21, Hakataramea down from 3,6 to 2.4, Maerewhenua 1.1 to 0.92, Kakanui, 1.5 to 1.1, Waitaki should run at a level similar to the last few weekends at about the 200 cumecs. To the north the Opihi has dropped to 7.7 from 9 cumecs and the Rangitata River is down from 112 to 73.3 cumecs.

The Rangitata River has provided the first sea run salmon with 2 taken on the weekend and one earlier in the week. Caught “up river”, a delightfully vague location, the latter two weighed 18 and 19 lbs.

Tight lines.

by Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game Officer

With the first month of the recognised fishing season over, for anglers it could only be described as a shocker! Norwesters have blasted the valley, more rain fell during the first month of spring than the entire winter and fresh snow painted the tops on several occasions. It was cold, (I had to cut another load of wood to keep the log fire burning which is not normal for October). It was wet and it was windy. During the last week however, although the wind continued the temperature has rocketed into the mid 20’s. Only remnants of the last snowfall remain and it does appear as if warmer angler friendly weather has arrived. As a consequence of the conditions most rivers have received several “spring cleans” which is good for the fish but the higher flows will require anglers to work just a tad harder to locate their trout this weekend.

With the high country opening on Saturday 3rd (not the 4th as printed in the South Island Sports Fishing Regulations), many anglers will be looking west with high hopes of sun drenched days, clear water an actively feeding trout. While the weather may hold and fish may be feeding it is doubtful if any angler will see them. Most waters draining the main divide have been affected by the norwest conditions, rain and snow melt. The Ahuriri River is running high at 32 cumecs, discoloured but fishable. While fly fishing may not be the most successful method this weekend, spinning will account for a number of strike happy “rainbows”. The Hopkins and Dobson rivers are even more turbid however all are receding and by the time you get back to work conditions will be about right. The Tekapo flow regime doesn’t change much unless Meridian Energy Ltd releases excess water from Lake Tekapo but I guess an increased flow in the Forks River will be adding a bit more than usual however this should have no effect on water clarity. Two days ago a colleague reported the Tekapo to be “full”. The didymo is bad below the steel bridge but above here growths are reported to be minmal. If you fished the Hakataramea last opening when it was flowing at 2.0 cumecs, expect a bit more water as today it is flowing at 3.6. The Maerewhenua River is 1.1 cumecs whereas last years opening day anglers fished it at 2.4. The Kakanui is way down at 1.5 cumecs

The magic of opening weekend consumes many anglers for days sometimes weeks and the preparation and anticipation is all part of this annual event. Today, the first of October means little due to many lakes being open all year and several rivers having a winter season in their lower reaches. The first Saturday in November however remains the “real” opening. Opening days have brought sportsman together for years. For many it is a family tradition which has continued for several generations. Meeting at a location same time every year, rain hail or shine. The catching of fish is an important part of the tradition but if it doesn’t happen the weekend, it can be longer, is always successful.

An opening day story

As a Christchurch schoolboy and a fanatical angler, opening day was the most important day of the year, well birthdays and Christmas came close. I found school days interfered with my all consuming passion, catching fish. Opening day, as I recall, more often than not, inconveniently fell on a week day. Undeterred and after a very early breakfast of two “Weetbix” soggy in warm milk , on my bike with spokes just a blur, I would head off to the Avon River or the smaller Waiarapa Stream which flowed through the suburbs near the city centre. Fortunately they flowed not too far from Heaton Intermediate school, which was kind of handy.

The regulations stipulated only a single hook could be used in these waters which resulted in casting a feathered lure, usually one from my father’s voluminous leather bound “fly book” which had several felt pages loaded with, colourful creations. Dorothy, Mrs Simpson, Red Shadow and a pattern he had especially tied for him, a “Whoozit”, I remember best. Many other patterns were impaled in the pages of the “book” and when an opportunity arose I would carefully extract and admire the fly tier’s creations, replacing them carefully so as the soft hackles lay true.
Not having advanced to a fly rod my lure was rigged with a barrel lead and cast from my tubular steel spinning rod with “Mitchell Cap” reel. The spool was loaded with “nylon” of a diameter considered by my father to be robust enough to withstand the inevitable almighty yank after a misdirected cast into a willow or the ever present submerged hazard. The two suburban waters were either “wadeable” or were “crossable” due to the many houses with their own private bridges, so getting ones gear back was often feasible. Unfortunately there were several “likely lads” that also fished these same waters. They were not so mild mannered as the writer and because of their tom foolery, the mere sight of a kid with a fishing rod walking along the riverbank had some adjacent home owners bellowing from their well tended gardens, insisting that I “bugger off”. These directions were often reinforced with threats of calling the police. One soon got to know where you could or could not go.

My success rate was abysmal. The brown trout in the Avon River as from about the 2nd of October, became the spookiest fish around. The reason for that being the clear water and the artificial baits used. The trout were not large, perhaps a good one would measure 30 cm, but they were curious and would inspect and follow the lure until they spotted a movement on the bank. The less scrupulous soon worked out that if the fish wouldn’t take the lure then the lure must take the fish. Purposely foul hooking a trout became an acceptable way to take fish back then. Some kids were damned good at it. Any lure or bait attached below a weight had to be on a trace no shorter than “15 inches”. Of course this was far too long to be a successful stroke hauler. The successful, albeit illegal angler, used a barrel lead heavy enough to stay on the bottom, a short trace of about 20cm to which was tied a feathered lure, usually a light coloured pattern such as a Grey Ghost. This enabled the stroke hauler to watch lures progress as it swung downstream towards the target, a trout holding mid stream. At the right moment, with the lead and the lure in the correct position on the far side of the trout, with rod tip held low, a savage, scything swing often had the fish impaled. It was very rapidly, unceremoniously winched ashore. I have to say, after watching it done so often I had to try it. It was more difficult than it looked and admit to once being successful. After inspecting the tear on the unfortunate fish I brought home, a suspicious father threatened using his shoe on my posterior and put paid to any further venture which involved taking fish other than by hooking them fair and square in the mouth!

Not to be out done by nervous trout targeted every weekend by wayward youths fishing Grey Ghosts, taking a leaf from my fathers book, a true Canterbury night fisher I visited the Waiarapa Stream at night. The advantages became clear at once. The fish that hit my lures certainly were not the “little shavers” I was seeing during the daylight hours. Not only were the fish bigger and voracious, there were no grumpy house holders chasing you off. There were disadvantages. Poor light, narrow water ways and lots of trees resulted in a lot of lost gear. Such were my losses on one particular night that amongst my meagre collection of tackle not one single hook lure or spinner remained. What to do? A copper bladed ‘Veltic” spinner remained. I had not changed the treble hook for a single, well who was going to know? At least I was attempting to catch fish fairly, not foul hooking , and after all the single hook regulation was obviously intended to prevent kids stroke hauling You can’t stroke haul at night, you can’t see the fish!. Having convinced myself I was doing nothing wrong I had just started to work the dark waters with my spinner oblivious to the traffic whizzing by, concentrating , ready for the next hit. One vehicle didn’t whiz by . It stopped and at very tall, lean figure emerged and walked towards me. What was I up to? I told him the obvious He then introduced himself. I’m a ranger for the Acclimatisation Society. Why was I fishing in the dark? I told him why. I just knew he thought because it was dark I was up to no good. He asked if I had a fishing licence. I immediately produced it. I could guess what was coming next. He spotted the spinner. I explained my last single hook spinner was somewhere in the tree opposite. In the back of my mind fines for fishing illegally raced back and forth. How much was this going to cost? What was my dad going to say? He suggested that as I had no single hooks left it would be better to go home as I was fishing illegally.

I don’t recall night fishing there or ever fishing the Waiarapa Stream again, full stop. Fanaticism for fishing faded. The inevitable happened, I like many other young male anglers discovered girls, motor cars and bottle stores.

Several years later as a new employee of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society I was introduced to one of the rangers on the staff . a very tall, lean man. I recognised him immediately, the very man who interviewed me on Waiarapa Terrace on the banks of the Waiarapa Stream all those years ago. Was he going to “spill the beans”, the terrible tale of poaching trout at night? Was my new career over before it had even started? Nothing was said. Much, much later, perhaps a year later, I broached the subject, my first brush with the law.

He couldn’t remember the occasion at all! Not a thing! This surprised me immensely. Every little detail was, and still is, crystal clear to me.

Tight Lines.

Latest fishing news: December 2008.
CSI Fish and Game reports on land locked salmon and the Lake Benmore fishery stocking practice

The Press, 20 Jan 2009

The power of nature thundered down the Waitaki River valley yesterday as vast amounts of excess hydro-lake water were released in a bid to flush the river clean.

The flushing flow started by state-owned power company Meridian Energy yesterday morning increased the Waitaki's flow to more than three time its average. By noon, more than 960 cubic metres of water a second (cumecs) was being spilt from Lake Benmore.

Central South Island Fish and Game chief executive Jay Graybill said a strong fresh or flood was needed in the braided river every two years to clear algae, including didymo, and turn over rocks on the riverbed.

Young salmon and trout were out of the gravel and the flood would have taken many out to sea, he said. Read more...

Otago Daily Times, 17 Jan 2009

Lake Benmore is the second most-fished lake in New Zealand behind Lake Taupo. David Bruce looks at its phenomenal growth in popularity with anglers... Read more

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

My few days off passed rapidly and although I secretly stowed a fly vest and a couple of cased travel rods in the boot of the family saloon they never emerged until we arrived back at home base. Although I passed some clear rivers and big lakes while visiting in the far south there was very little time for casting a line. My most lasting memories of this short break was a visit to Milford Sound, a place I had never visited before and a place I have yet to see. On our arrival, due to the torrential rain I could barely make out the jetty with a number of what could have been tourist type ferries tied to it , the topography and the famous Mitre Peak remain unsighted.

I experienced a “first” while in Southland. I drove a borrowed, “nippy”, red convertible sports car, hood down of course, to the famous land ends signpost at Bluff. The little racer turned a few heads however the significance of the wind blowing through ones hair was lost due to the fact I don’t have a lot anymore, and having the heater on “full noise” to combat the chill blowing in from Foveaux Strait seemed a bit odd. All a bit disappointing really. I decided this would have been much more fun in the 70’s or perhaps even the 80’s. As usual I digress.

During the holiday period there will have been many many days where many many boaties never got their hulls wet. Strong norwesters have been constant! In these conditions there were many fishing days lost.

Boat fishing seminars

Otago Fish and Game joined by Central South Island held two boat fishing seminars last week, one in Cromwell and the second at Omarama. Over 100 anglers arrived at the Cromwell venue a day which was hot and windy. The Omarama seminar date coincided with one of the few days where the sun was up and the wind was down and we suspect that many who had intended to attend went fishing. You can’t blame them for that. About 40 were up early many of them catching fish before attending. The seminars covered subjects such as the most successful lures and how to use them, best trolling practices, harling and jigging instruction , information on best fishing areas and attendees were also shown the results of sonar (fish finding) surveys of several South Island lakes. The seminar culminated with the presentation of several prizes, the recipients registration numbers having been drawn from a hat, there were also several Fish & Game branded “give always” to all who attended. As the main presenter I believe the 2 days were very worth while, for both Fish and Game and the anglers who attended and it will be held again for sure probably 2011 but who knows we could hold them again next year.

Lake and river reports

It is now common knowledge that snow melt and rain have filled the hydro lake to maximum levels and spilling of water over and through the valley’s hydro dams has begun. The Tekapo received 100 cumecs for 2 days which will have provided a well overdue “spring clean. The lower river has been subjected to spill from the Lake Pukaki spillway for several days.

The Waitaki River is high flowing at 600 cumecs and predicted to flow at 950 cumecs on Monday. The high and discoloured flows in the lower river, caused by silt and island erosion will not be of advantage to salmon anglers however the high flows will open a new mouth negated the long haul to its present location approximately 3km north of the Waitaki Fishing village on the north bank or 4.5km from the south bank car park. To date I know of only one salmon being caught in the lower river, however there has been some good catches of sea run brown trout at the mouth proper. Didymo should take a fair pounding in these high flows which will improve fishing conditions when lower flows resume.

The Hakataramea River has remained fishable and although beginning to suffer is still above a cumec flowing at 1.2. The Maerewhenua is down to 500 litres per second.

I have received 2 reports this week on the upper and mid reaches of the Ahuriri River. No fish! And this from a guide who can see fish better than a black shag. There appears to be no obvious reason for and I would be interested to hear any news on recent fishing results from this river.

The Rangitata River has been producing salmon after a series of high flows. Colleague Fish and Game Officer Hamish Stevens on his first 2 days of annual leave has had some success. On a clearing river on Wednesday and Thursday of this week he took a bag limit each morning. He informs me he also lost a couple and released 2 smaller fish. The river is still falling, at 70 cumecs and crystal clear the catch rate will slow. With salmon fever cured he’s now on his way south to terrorise the brown trout of Otago.
Fishing conditions may not be that great for the weekend with high flows locally and rain expected.

Tight lines.

Lake Benmore the official top spot

27 December 2008

If you plan to fish in the central South Island these holidays, be aware that you are in the premiere fisheries in New Zealand....a national angler survey has identified that the central South Island had 250,820 angler days during the 2007/08 season...

"...Lake Benmore [is] the most fished lake in any of the Fish and Game regions and second only to Lake Taupo in angler numbers, but in the South Island, of the lakes tested, it's easily the most productive fishery."...

Two scenarios two different results perhaps?
27 December 2008

The flushing flow through the Opuha and Opihi River systems last weekend is said to have dislodged the aggressive invasion of didymo in the lower Opuha River, and carried the offensive mats to sea. There endeth the first scenario.

At the Tekapo River, didymo has caused a number of anglers to vacate the fishery in favour of lake fishing, or moving to less effected water.

With this week's newspaper report that Meridian Energy is likely to release a flushing flow down the Tekapo River, comes the realisation that didymo mats could end up in the Haldon Arm of Lake Benmore....

Hamish Stevens, CSI Fish and Game Officer

Salmon fishing has been rather slow in the Rangitata but it may not be due to lack of fish. The Rangitata has run high for over a month now, not dropping below 100 cumecs which is considered by many as the optimum flow for salmon fishing. Despite the lack of fishing windows some Rangitata anglers have done well upriver, with one lucky angler landing 5 fish so far. Surf fishing has been rather unproductive with the total number of fish landed on the south side for the season only just in double figures. Rough seas and high river flows have been the major obstacle but if the anglers upriver are any indication there are fish going through. Another fresh on Tuesday saw the river rise to 230 cumecs making the river unfishable for spin anglers until sometime next week, if we don’t get any more rain! However once the river drops to below 100 cumecs fishing should be good with salmon well distributed throughout the river.

Coastal rivers such as the Opihi, Tengawai and Pareora all received a much needed fresh earlier in the week. The upper Opihi in particular was suffering from didymo growths which hopefully will have been dislodged by the higher flows and both the Pareora and Tengawai were dangerously low before the rain. Provided the rain predicted for Friday/Saturday is not too serious these rivers should be in good condition for angling on the weekend.

Lake Tekapo has filled and is the highest I have ever seen it. Despite this the flows going through the spillway have not yet reached the river and instead have been taken back into the canal immediately below the township. The Tekapo River needs a good fresh as didymo growths this year have made angling difficult so we are keeping our fingers crossed for some more significant Nor West rain to fill the lakes even more. However the fish are still there for the determined angler to catch, try dry fly fishing to avoid the didymo problem.

Boat fishing seminar

Boaties who are in the McKenzie country during the holiday period are invited to a boat fishing seminar to be held in the Omarama Hall car park on Saturday the 10th of January starting at 10am. The two hour seminar will cover everything from selecting the right fishing gear to how to deal with your catch once it’s in the bag. Local Fish and Game Officer and Waitaki Lakes fishing expert Graeme Hughes has been hooked as the guest speaker and will talk about the latest and most effective fishing techniques to use. So if you’re a boatie and after some top fishing tips get along and check this event out.

Merry Christmas and may your lines be tight in the New Year.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

Welcome rains arrived and here in the desert of North Otago, we received a very welcome 18 mm last night , through to the early hours. Coastal areas will have recorded more however we are geographically situated in the dry space between rain from the west coast and rain from the east or south. A fitting name for Kurow would be “Elsewhere’. When all others are enjoying rain the Met office will always end up by saying “…. but fine (or dry) elsewhere”.

The smaller rivers have responded with Waitaki Valley waters on the rise, Ahuriri discoloured and rising at 30 cumecs, Hakataramea River, clear , rising at 1.4cumecs, Maerewhenua River, clear and up to 1.1, Waihao up to 700 litres per second. The Waitaki has been flowing close to 300 cumecs most of the week and at 250 today, it is predicted there won’t be much change, i.e. perhaps between 250 to 300 cumecs.
The Rangitata River although receding has been unfishable all week, so no salmon have been caught. Dropping and at 140 cumecs it looks doubtful for the weekend again. The Opihi is flowing at 6.5 cumecs at SH 1 bridge.

The Valley roads are becoming increasingly busy with the usual array of fully laden trailers, caravans and boats heading west. Boat traffic is increasing on the hydro lakes although not all are anglers, some are hardy water toy enthusiasts with skis and other towed vehicles braving the early summer temperatures.

Personally, fishing has been successful but not spectacular. It is the time of year I have a visitor who enjoys getting out and catching fish, something she does twice a year. We troll or drift in a boat and while fishing and eating pre-Christmas treats catch up on families, friends and important events. Lake Waitaki is the December choice, Lake Ohau in February, and on this trip, Tuesday and Wednesday morning, although trout featured in the bag, salmon were most prevalent landing 2 to every trout. If you count the escapees 3 to 1 provides a more accurate picture. The salmon are survivors from last year releases into Lake Benmore, they aren’t huge but like peas in a pod are all about 300 to 350 in length. Great fun for the new anglers or for those who, like my guest, seldom fish at all.

A 2 hour stint on Lake Waitaki produced this bag of salmon and trout mid week.
Despite the wind and rain, last night, in pursuit of a largish trout “ordered” for an event early in the new week I motored out to my favourite beat on Lake Waitaki. I only had one lure with me, tied to my line from my day out with my guest, all my boat fishing boxes sat where I had unloaded them. Well if I lose it I’ll just call it a night and return home. With a large rainbow envisaged the first take followed by a nodding rod tip indicated a salmon , as was the second and the third. I netted the number three and although they are wonderful fish catchers the jointed Rapala with its two sets of hooks are difficult to disengage from a bouncing salmon which you want to return to the water. This is doubly difficult as those who have caught these chromium plated “bullets” will attest, the lure is often fully engulfed, such is the enthusiasm of the chinook’s strike. With very little forethought I grabbed the lure at about the same time as the salmon gave a flip, and as often happens you feel the sharp points of a hook or two. Not this time, as I went to take the point out of my finger I noted with some disappointment the hook was fully imbedded, to bend, in the large pad, next to the palm, of my left forefinger. What to do? The boat is bouncing with wind and waves, the mid hook is attached to my hand and a rather lively salmon is also attached to my hand by the second set of hooks. I can’t get the fish off, it’s hooked well down I only have one hand operable. Obviously the fish is going to die, and quickly. Every bounce and flip accentuated the close contact I had with this fish! I’m thinking this is going to hurt as I give it healthy smack on the snout. It did. The situation is now changed slightly in my favour, any pain experienced will be caused by me and not a lively fish which in a few short seconds had pulled the hook into my flesh as far as it would go. The wind by this time had me almost on the rocks. With my good hand I start the motor and head for deeper water. The rain sweeps in heavier by the minute and the light is almost gone. Next, to get the weight of the fish off my finger which is now bleeding profusely. With the blade of my knife I poke around in the not overly large mouth of the salmon trying to cut out the hooks, each prod of the knife registering in the pain department of the brain. The fish eventually falls to the deck. I cut the line and consider my next move. No pliers on board, they’re in one of my tackle boxes sitting on the office floor where I left them. Back to the ramp, I’m so much more comfortable now!

On arrival I consider the options. Return home and find a medical professional, or, push the hook round and out and snip off point and barb as I had read about in various fishing books, or, have a go at pulling it out in the opposite direction of entry. Pushing the hook right through was not an option I dwelt on for long, anyway the hook was pointing in the wrong direction. The “doc” will probably do what I’m going to do, albeit in more sterile environment. I rattle around in the Toyota tool box and find a pair of side cutters. My Scottish ancestry came to the fore. Do you really need to cut the hook off a lure you paid almost $20.00 for? My welsh ancestry considered the very real possibility of impaling the affected hand with the remaining hooks during the removal act that was about to follow. Common sense prevailed. The hook was cut carefully so as to leave enough shank protruding for the pliers to hold onto. Now for the part I was not looking forward to. You only want to do this once, no failed attempts, make sure the pliers don’t slip of the hook. With several hundred kg’s of pressure on the handles of the long nosed pliers, and as I recall, eyes tightly shut, a hearty yell, a hefty “heave ho” and it was done. After a flush with a saline solution from the first aid kit and a “band aid” I was back on the water after the elusive trout. The “band aid” lasted all of 3 minutes but the quest continued. Another salmon boated, and removed very carefully, but to no avail.

I returned home thinking that in future I should have a bit more respect for hooks and be prepared. Don’t venture out without all the necessary gear. Removal of hooks is something one should be prepared for and although medical expertise is the best, often it’s not readily available.

Tight lines

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

A strong norwester and an accompanying deluge has affected the snow fed rivers and in the region the Ahuriri River bounced up to 110 cumecs and although it is on the way down it won't be fishable for this weekend and lake fishers will find the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore will be also affected.

The Rangitata River rapidly reached 750 cumecs, however it too is on the way down but there will be no fishing here this weekend.

All other rivers continue to fall in level, the Hakataramea having now dropped below the 1 cumec level. The Maerewhenua is at 700 litres per second and little change in the Waihao where at McCullochs Bridge it is flowing at 350 litres per second. The Opihi River is now down to 5 cumecs at the State Highway 1 bridge. The Waitaki River which has been flowing at round about the 300 cumec mark is not expected to change much this weekend due to the high flows of the Hopkins and Dobson Rivers filling Lake Ohau. Predictions are the flow will be at about 300 plus or minus 30 or 40 cumecs.
The salmon catch is reported to be 7 for the week in the lower Rangitata nothing reported from the Waitaki as yet.

Some excellent trout have been taken locally fishing the evening caddis “hatch” in the upper Waitaki River however dry fly fishing during the day in the Hakataramea River requires extreme caution in the existing flows if the angler is to be successful. Long leaders and pin accurate casting is essential, often you only get one cast and it has to be “right on the button”. The Maerewhenua River is reported to be still holding good numbers of fish and at times, even mid week, there are parties of anglers bumping into one another, some of these being guides and clients.

The upper Ahuriri River opens tomorrow, the first Saturday of December, but the norwester has ruined any chance of fishing here until early next week at least. All waters sourced from the Main Divide will be affected as will any receiving waters into which they flow.

A benefit of high flows in most of our rivers is it gives didymo a good beating and tends to keep it at a “manageable” length for anglers. It is noticeable that in the Waitaki areas of dense didymo have been lifting off the substrate over the last month and this has been accelerated by higher river flows. During my time involved with the didymo experiments near Otiake on the Waitaki River I have been able to ask many questions of probably the world’s most knowledgeable expert on didymo Professor Max Bothwell. He tells me that good healthy didymo is brown in colour and most anglers will note that the Waitaki River didymo is very pale, beginning as rust or tan colour but as it grows the pigmentation pales. While we know that didymo prefers nutrient free water it must have some nutrients to survive. Max tells me that in the Waitaki River the didymo is stripping the available nutrients from the water and it is losing its ability to survive hence the appearance of clear areas and the phenomena of large rolling “sheep skins” drifting off downstream.

I asked Max “Whats the best we can expect for the Waitaki?” Of course he couldn’t tell me but he did suggest that if the didymo here behaves similarly to didymo in some waters of the northern hemisphere, we could expect to have it for perhaps 6 to 8 years and then it will disappear. But he warns after 2 or 3 years it will return. Not the most wonderful of prospects but better than a future of continual colonisation. I have heard that a biological control in the form of a fungus is being investigated and undoubtedly there are many other “cures” I haven’t heard about. I don’t believe pouring large volumes of toxic chemicals into any river is the answer.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

An over view of the fishery at this time does not present a rosy picture. Mid and coastal waters are at low flows while high country waters are in flood, a result of a norwest deluge. Ona more positive side, just prior to the rains over the main divide and before the Rangitata River reached a flood flow of 1100 cumecs about 12 salmon were caught in the surf and lower river. The river is on the way down but I’m guessing from the rate of fall it may not be fishable until later on Sunday more likely Monday, when everyone goes back to work. Although too early to for the Waitaki River, early salmon runs always provide anticipation to those who annually pursue this prestigious species.

The Ahuriri River has also suffered and climbed to 110 cumecs and although dropping quickly it is likely to be discoloured for the weekend. The Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore will be carrying silt for several days a result of the high inflows. The smaller rivers not affected by norwest rain continue to drop in level due to irrigation abstraction and lack of rain. Irrigation restrictions already apply to most catchments of the CSI region.

Seasonal Foods for Trout

Although it is only November, and still reasonably early in a fishing season, there is a variety of seasonal foods available for trout at this time. In low country waters and at river mouths the annual migration of whitebait, silveries and elvers provide a smorgasbord of seafood for predatory trout.

In mid and upper river catchments trout miss out on the large concentrations of the annual migrants, however, excepting for smelt which remain in the lower reaches of most of the regions rivers, eels and whitebait species are still an available and important food source for trout. Terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates although smaller food items fill the shortfall and coastal trout usually miss out on many of these. Already cicadas are chirping during the heat of the day and I’m thinking that although it’s not yet a cicada chorus, just a few keen soloists tuning up for the big event, their summer song is a bit earlier this year. This is probably an omen of future weather patterns, although the meteorological people predict a more changeable and wetter summer and not the El Nino weather patterns of last summer which provided mostly hot dry conditions. The cicada is a large and plentiful food source for trout. Those who have fished the artificial or watched the demise of down stream drifting naturals being “monstered” by large trout would agree that it is a time where trout appear to lose caution, charging from the depths with gay abandon at any floating object which might resemble an unfortunate cicada.

If a keen gardener you will be aware that those pesky brown beetles are blundering about in your garden, searching out your best rose buds, newly emerged leaves and other delectable food items they enjoy. The drone of cruising beetles some evenings is quite amazing and although unseen in the night sky there must be an awful lot of them up there to be making such a din.

Happily they are the food of trout also and much like the cicada their “splash downs” are awaited eagerly by trout. When on beetles they become super selective and take nothing else, perhaps it’s because the beetle’s availability is of short duration. Your fly box should have a good supply of brown beetles for this time of the year and if you are a regular visitor to the high country you will always have a few cubicles in your fly box bristling with deer hair cicada patterns.

Terrestrial species aside, and not forgetting the importance of the many species of mayfly, there is no doubt in my mind that the caddis fly, or caddis fly families are the most important trout food on my river and of course on many others. The Trichoptera (caddisflies) is a large order represented in New Zealand by 15 families containing 45 genera and over 140 described species, plus others that are known and not yet described, but that was over 20 years ago so perhaps there are a few more described now. The caddis fly provides the trout with several dining opportunities; in the larval stage, cased or free living, when it pupates and swims to the surface, on the surface while it scuttles to the shoreline and when it returns to lay eggs, either on the water or when it crawls or swims underwater to deposit eggs on the substrate. They come in all sizes however locally it is the larger species, the green free living caddis, and the net building caddis which provides the greatest interest to fish and the angler. Unlike the mayfly hatch which is usually a day time event, the caddis “hatch” occurs mainly in the evening and at night. Nocturnal activity by the pupating insect and the resultant fish activity can continue well into the early hours and I have on occasion stayed until 2.00 am in the morning, unable to go home because of the constant rising of brown and rainbow trout. The later the hour the bigger the splash, the bigger the splash the bigger the fish. It’s a strong willed man who rod in hand can vacate a riverbank when all about him fish are noisily leaping and slashing at myriads of caddis. Sadly ones spouse will never understand your predicament.

How many caddis can a trout eat? The size of a fishes stomach is relative to the age of the fish. A small fish about 700 grams can cram in more than you would think. The nocturnal feeding of the fish pictured ceased at about 10.00pm when it was “euthanized for science”. Without being too exact over the count, after careful separation of the stomach contents, about 324 pupating caddis flies had been consumed before the fish made a serious mistake.

A small Waitaki brown trout approx 700 gm hooked while feasting on pupating caddis. Its evening feasting of over 300 caddis and the artificial which was its “undoing”.

During this productive time of the year one should be prepared for the varied diet of trout. Your location and the time of year will give you an indication of the trout’s diet and what to tie on to be successful.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

A week of changeable weather, hot, cold, thunder, lightening, hail rain and of course the prevalent “norwester”. Opportunities for an evening fish have been limited if looking for a pleasant end to the day. The weekend which preceded it was excellent however, at least until the wind reached gale force mid Sunday afternoon.

Although Saturday was brilliant, Sunday was an exceptional day as I was able to fish for 2 hours (which ended up closer to 4) in the upper reaches of the Waitaki River. During the middle of the day I witnessed almost a mass reproduction effort by caddis. Everywhere large brown caddis were dapping the surface in quick “touch and go” manoeuvres depositing their eggs. Trout appear to enjoy intercepting these quick moving insects and their attempts are signalled by a splashy and very obvious eruption from the depths. The trout’s timing must be spot on to connect with these sought after food items and I’m guessing many of their attempts are unsuccessful. The effort and split second timing required to catch a meal must consume a lot of energy and only the most energetic, hyperactive individuals enjoy this reckless and conspicuous food gathering exercise. The joyous “wallop” of trout taking caddis is a sight to see.

The haphazard slashing of the surface indicated that the trout indulging in catching egg laying caddis were actively hunting for them and moving constantly. This type of feeding ruled out any attempt to target a particular lie of a feeding trout. Despite the logistics of locating small moving targets in big water, and not physically able to emulate the action of the egg laying fly, I tied on a tent wing caddis imitation. With necessary “mends” up and downstream, I concentrated on obtaining the longest drag free drift that I could, hopefully indicating to any trout that my artificial was a spent and exhausted adult. After many, many casts the inevitable happened. The moment I lost concentration due to some minute distraction was the exact moment a fish quietly plucked my fly from the surface. Unaware of any action I looked back to where I expected the feathered imitation to be. It wasn’t there! I lifted after some hesitation. Too late I thought, but a strong pull indicated I was wrong. However the River Gods suitably chastised me for breaking the rules, and the fish and I were separated by a blood knot which failed half a meter from the tippet. To be completely transparent I should mention here that my fishing companion had hooked, landed and released two trout, one of each species, by this time. After such a lengthy duration without making contact and then to lose one through lack of application, or perhaps because I was being out fished, I was vocally castigating my abilities as an angler until another violent splashy rise within casting distance had me tying on another floating caddis. We moved further upstream and I noted the large cobbles and boulders along the shallows showing early signs of didymo colonisation. While we know this is inevitable, it is still disappointing to see. Five minutes before leaving I did catch a 3 lb “brown” cruising beneath various accumulated flotsam in a quiet piece of water. One cast, one lift “Bingo”. It was so easy and made the preceding hours of searching almost worth it. Had my “off-sider” not landed a further 2 fish prior to this and one immediately after I’m sure it would have been. To his credit he never mentioned his 5 to my 1, and had the situation been reversed I’m sure I would have showed similar good taste. Yeah right! I just know he’s saving it up for an appropriate time, place and a suitable audience.

Salmon releases

Due to the generosity of Sanfords and the great people at the Waitaki Hatchery at Ikiwai, anglers of the region will benefit from several releases of Chinook salmon into Lake Benmore and Lake Opuha. 24,000 have been released into Lake Benmore and 20,000 released into Lake Opuha.

While not all will survive, anglers will take their share and other lake inhabitants will also enjoy salmon as a change in diet. Disorientated for a short while after release from the transporter, the fish tend to mill about providing any nearby predator with ample opportunities for an easy meal.

At Lake Benmore, a trout of unknown dimensions was observed creating large bow waves as it charged amongst the unsuspecting salmon. A Crested Grebe must have got quite a surprise as it quietly paddled by, running slap bang into several hundred salmon smolts. I’m guessing both fish and bird dined well that afternoon.

Past releases have resulted in salmon being landed weighing up to 1.8 kg. Salmon provide excellent sport, often schooling which results in multiple “hook ups” when trolling. They are usually easy to catch and are a welcome addition to the anglers bag. Many find their way into the downstream lakes Aviemore and Waitaki proving that a proportion can negotiate the turbines and survive.

Weekend conditions

While we can’t predict the catch rate, and the weather forecast is looking a bit scruffy, all waters of the region will be fishable for the coming weekend. All but the snow fed rivers have been on a slow but steady decline, a good rain event is required to slow the downward trend. The Ahuriri River shot up to 50 cumecs or thereabouts, earlier in the week but has now dropped back to 21 cumecs. The Rangitata similarly increased to 250 but is dropping and presently at about 89 cumecs and with a touch of colour it should make fishing in the lower reaches that much better. The Hakataramea is at 1.4, Maerewhenua at .82, Lower Waihao .46, Kakanui .4, and the Opihi is flowing at 13.5 cumecs. With 250 in the Waitaki today for the weekend it is expected to be in a the range of 200 to 300 cumecs.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

With some warmer and wind free days there have been some ideal conditions for fishing. It is pleasing to say that it is a time of plenty and there are reports of fish being landed from all waters.

I have observed some excellent mayfly hatches on the Hakataramea River and while at the Waitaki Dam I’ve found that the lights there have attracted many hundreds of large flying caddis which means there should be some evening / night caddis fishing on the upper reaches of the Waitaki River about now. Coincidentally at about the time I was tapping out this report, I received a phone call from a fellow “caddis fisher” who reported that three Australian anglers had fished the river in the vicinity of the Old Slip Road and they were very excited.“Yeah mate, heaps of feesh rising”. We should take a look.

The evening started badly, my collection of Waitaki Sedges consisted of one solitary fly. And not a very good one at that. With only a few minutes to go before my ride there was no time to tie up a couple. I scratched around and found two caddis “emergers” that I had tied using soft partridge feathers instead of fur, (my emerging caddis pattern is a fur fly or more correctly a “flymph” tied with a pinch of hare’s fur). These experimental “hackle flies” had never been tried! They would have to do. I grabbed gear as the scrunching gravel announced he’d arrived and a few minutes later, above the river, putting gear together I discovered that my carry bag containing all the fly reels was still sitting back in Kurow. After some bad language my friend said to take his rod and reel which was all set up. I thankfully accepted but was told off for grizzling about the reel being the wrong way round. I always use fly reels with the handle on the right, that’s how I was taught. Doesn’t everyone?

We waded into the water about 8.30 pm. Not a rise heard or seen but a few caddis were fluttering across the surface. As the light faded we expected the rise to begin, caddis were becoming numerous in the air not so many on the water. Still no surface action from any trout. It was pleasant, mild, nice water and just swinging on a fly pole was a good feeling. Fishing the “flymph” my style is rather simple, perhaps even lazy. Wait for a rise downstream but within casting distance. As soon as the fish breaks the surface quickly drop your flies 2 or 3 metres upstream so as they swing subsurface, in an arc just above the position of the feeding trout. The “flymphs” are not dressed but on a dry line they “swim” in the surface water emulating, I assume, pupating caddis on their struggle to either fly from the water or swim / crawl to the shoreline. No drag free drift to worry about, just down and across I always use two, one on a 3 inch dropper about 2.5 feet above the tail fly, my theory is you double your chances in poor light.
With no fish showing I began “blind fishing”, casting to the invisible line between the fast and the slow water. Within a dozen casts, a solid hit and fish of unknown dimensions slashed the surface and streaked off into the big water, about 250 cumecs. The backing rapidly appeared. Struggling to remember the drag and the handle were on opposite sides on my borrowed gear, the fish “made a lot of ground”. Eventually I released a small “rainbow” which rewarded me with a face full of cold water as I dropped him back from whence he came. Well hooked on the dropper fly, the less bulky of the two unproven patterns, I moved a couple of paces downstream pleased that the creation had worked, (of course I knew it would!)

Fishing the “flymph” on the Waitaki River in the evening glow, I have difficulty removing the hook firmly imbedded in the jaw of a small “rainbow”.

After a few minutes another hit and after a long duration, and withstanding some unkind comments about the time taken to “net the thing” ( by someone who had yet to hook a fish) A brown trout was landed taken on the more bulky tail fly. A lean specimen, the fish showed a good turn of speed once it realised it was free. So both “flymphs” work on both species. I returned to about the same spot, hard to tell now as it was quite dark and still not a rise seen or heard. Again fishing ‘blind’ to the invisible line, a hard pull and a noisy sloshing on the surface began another lengthy tussle in big water. A “brown” of much better proportions was safely netted.

With the my time piece showing 9.30pm a cold blast from a southerly front bounced up the river and very quickly we agreed that there was now no chance of a rise so a coffee in the comforts of home was a popular option. As we trudged up the steep track my fishing mate claimed he did get one in the fast water above me, “About 6 or 7” he said. I was taken aback as I hadn’t heard or seen a thing. “Inches that is, not pounds” he said with a laugh.

So no rise last night, it’s drizzling and cold tonight, perhaps next week.

All waters of the region are clear and fishable excepting the Rangitata River which is receding and clearing after a norwester early in the week. It is expected to still have some colour by Saturday. Without rain the smaller streams are on a slow and steady decline, the best time to fish them is now so make a date.

A call on opening day from an irate land owner whose sheep were allowed to wander on a main highway prompts me to remind anglers, and it is assumed it was an angler, to ensure that all gates are securely chained after closing them. I know, it’s one of those unnecessary messages that has become necessary. Thanks.

Tight lines.

The opening weekend of the High Country fishing season was remarkably similar to last years opening with "norwesters" and a southerly change. Strong winds from two directions and showers made Saturday something of an ordeal however Sunday was greatly improved.

In the Ahuriri River I spoke with an angler who, with his mates go to the same place every year and fish the same places every year, fair weather or foul, and it’s good to get annual comparisons from them. The morning was described as “hard fishing”, no reference to the weather but to the cooperation from the fish. However when the southerly change arrived fishing improved. As is the norm some of the post spawning “rainbows” were lean, “browns” were good and maiden “rainbows” excellent. Didymo was present but so far “was not a problem” Other observations included an increase in lupin with the removal of the willows out from Omarama and the absence of fish holding pools since the willows have been removed. Some stretches are described as faster runs and where stalking a pool and picking off the residents was a preferred method of fishing, blind fishing the faster water is now more of a necessity than a preference. A slight discolouration in flow made seeing fish more difficult but probably assisted the catch rate. Since opening weekend the water has cleared however having spent two days in the headwaters on other duties I can report that the wind although gusty dropped away and the rain although light has been persistent.

At about 6.30am on Wednesday snow began to fall temperatures crashed. In a very short time the vista had changed dramatically. The freezing slowed the rising river however despite being equipped for inclement weather we did not expect a dollop of the white stuff. Which just shows that being a good boy scout, (always remember the scouting motto “Be prepared”) can save the day and perhaps your life.

Despite crossing the river in many places, (and remembering the upper river does not open until the first Saturday in December) although there appeared to be some good holding water no trout were observed above Canyon Creek.

The slow release snow melt has not affected the Ahuriri River and it is presently running at about 20 cumecs and is clear and fishable.

An Otago colleague “trespassed” into the Central South Island region and visited the Maerewhenua River. Not having fished it before he relayed to me how impressed he was with the scenery, the water and the abundance of trout. Despite being only two days after the opening weekend and also meeting other anglers on the river he and his fishing mates all had a good day catching rainbow trout.

The Hakataramea River was a very busy place especially in the upper reaches. A landowner believed it is the most angler traffic seen during the last 5 or 6 years. Sunday was the pick of the days and on the lower river I saw several trout on my riverbank inspections, all actively feeding with one or two taking food off the top. The desire to race home and grab a rod was dismissed on two or three occasions. The anglers I spoke with all reported seeing good numbers of fish and all but one had caught several. The fishless angler, reasonably new to fly fishing had seen and cast to several fish but hadn’t made a connection. He had enjoyed seeing fish but just hooking one could have made a good day out a great one. We discussed techniques and fly patterns and he left determined to get back and try again. He will catch one on his next trip, I’m sure of that.

The weekend weather is looking more “angler friendly” however there is no sign of settled weather in the week ahead. Saturday looks as if it could be the day to aim for if you can’t wangle a whole weekend away. All rivers are clear and fishable and already there is a rumour that the first salmon has been caught, in the Rangitata.

Graeme Hughes

by Peter Shutt

Keep didymo in mind when casting in the high country

Tomorrow is the start of the high country fishing season, and anglers are expected to flock to the prime fishing spots. You might be very impressed with the flows and lake levels across the hinterland...Read on

Opuha Water wins resource management award

Opuha Water Limited won the Supreme Award at the Canterbury Resource Management Award ceremony in Christchurch last Wednesday...Read on

Opihi River provides good fish at Master's Games

The South Island Master's Games in October were held at Timaru and included fishing. For 10 competitors the Opihi River provided some good fish...Read on

Big turnout at Take a Kid Fishing Day

Some 7500 children and parents attended the recent annual Take a Kid Fishing Day at The Groynes, at Christchurch, and several South Canterbury children were amongst the crowd casting lines to the several thousand fish in the four large ponds...Read on

Don't forget Lake Coleridge

by Peter Shutt

It's been a winter of great fishing success at inland lakes and specifically so at lakes Benmore and Coleridge.

We tend to forget about Lake Coleridge, believing it is a modified water that appears featureless in summer and attracts mountain storms in winter, but on a good day, or more particularly on a good night, the results can be spectacular.

On a recent trip by members of the Canterbury Anglers Club, the rainbow trout pictured fell to a lumo fly cast by Paul Stikkelman. He was fishing in an interclub competition and although it was the largest fish caught, the catch was just an hour or so outside the official competition period.

But that's fishing. Paul released the fish to fight another day.

Only a handful of South Canterbury anglers test this water, but one should remember there are several smaller lakes and tarns near Coleridge that fish well throughout summer, and the scenery is rather attractive. Overnight camping means anglers can fish the evening rise and early morning when trout are generally seen cruising the edgewater in lakes and tarns.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

It’s ANZAC day and while we remember those that never made it home, I wonder how many of those brave souls like you and me were just “ordinary blokes” who enjoyed the simple pleasures of catching a trout. I also wonder what they would think about the trout and salmon fishery of today.

This is the last report for the season and a long weekend as well.

Conditions remain as they were last week, no rain no change. Possibly the driest autumn in my time here and rivers at their lowest when in fact they should be increasing in flow. Spawning salmon and trout encouraged by this influence should be migrating into these valuable spawning and nursery waters, but locally they’re not. If not a record drought, and it’s not, where’s the water gone? Why am I looking at severely depleted flows and in several no flow at all? When you ask this question you will be told “Oh they are often this low” or “Historically these streams have always dried”. No one disputes low flows or occasional dry sections but this low and this dry for so long? I don’t think so.

Anglers will already be out and about so nothing printed here will be of great assistance. I was talked into heading out for some night fishing on Wednesday. The Norwester had dropped away and according to my mate he had already began his lake fishing near river mouths at this time last year and his diary entry claimed he had caught 18 on his first outing. I hadn’t spent much time with him this season however I do remember I did accompany him on a similar nocturnal outing last year when I completely ruined his average of 8 per night. He managed to land 2. I on the other hand couldn’t keep fish from leaping onto my line after hooking and landing a fish on my first cast. Each time I landed or lost a fish I do recall his comments which were repeated throughout the evening.” You’re a bloody Jonah Hughes!”

Time heals and as his invited guest I enjoyed a yarn and the drive as the outside air temperature climbed from 9 degrees to 11, which was an unexpected bonus. Togged up for the cold and wearing chest waders we had worked up quite a lather by the time we reached the river mouth. It was 8.45pm ,the almost full moon was climbing above the ridgelines which I thought at the time wouldn’t help the cause. I had tied on a small “lumo” Doll Fly on a short dropper, and on the point a size #6 black Rabbit Lure which has always been a good provider. Not at all ostentatious, black rabbit pelt wing, black body with a silver rib and a sparse tag or tail of a dyed red feather. The first cast was a shocker as I discovered that in the dark I had put the wrong reel and line on probably a 5/6 when it should have been a 7/8. When you’re pushing two wet lures through the air you need some weight. The second cast was better and I hooked a lively fish which cavorted across the surface in a series of evenly spaced leaps. There was a comment form my companion a few meters away which was not complimentary, and after some determined runs I beached a brown trout of about 3.5 lbs in its prime, “heavy in the shoulder and firm of flesh”. On the black lure of course. A few minutes later I managed another a little smaller, on the rabbit lure, I missed two “takes” then hooked and lost another after a long and spirited run. Fish were leaping steadily around us ducks were feeding and scaup were diving, it was very pleasant. The contacts with fish ceased after about 90 minutes casting perhaps due to the moon then at its zenith and with those familiar accusations of being a Jonah from one who had not landed a fish we tromped back to the vehicle. I bet he’s searching for a black feathered lure already. I wonder if I get invited back.

The Waitaki will be at about 300 cumecs for today and may drop back a little during the weekend. The Ahuriri River is at a remarkable low of 8 cumecs, the Hakataramea and Maerewhenua Rivers still dropping are each at 500 litres per second and the Waihao River is down to 40 cumecs and the Opihi at the SH 1 is running at 6.6 cumecs.

Thanks for the many contacts, comments and compliments from anglers far and wide throughout the season, its good to know that the fisheries of the region are in good hands. Hands and minds that will keep us, the fisheries managers “on the case”. We can’t do it alone. Until next season.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

River conditions

Although the temperature has crashed and sunshine is scarce no significant rain has fallen and river conditions remain as in previous weeks, low and clear. The news paper report which stated the Waitaki River weekend flows will closely mirror those of the previous weekend are incorrect and the source of the erroneous information unknown. Today it is flowing at just above 300 cumecs and expected to rise but should not exceed 420 cumecs over the next 2 days.

The Hakataramea and Maerewhenua Rivers are hovering at about 600 litres per second and the Ahuriri River at just under 9 cumecs. To the north the Opihi is running at 8 cumecs and the Rangitata River at a low 50 cumecs.

Didymo could be on the way out

Didymo has been detected in the lower Otematata River which is probably not surprising located in the same catchment as other infected waters. It is noticeable however that in the Waitaki River along with the Haka and the Maerewhenua Rivers didymo appears to be dying off in places. I had an interesting email from a friend who is a local fishing guide who passed on the following observations.

“During the past few weeks I have managed to get out and about on the river and have seen some surprising 'things' regarding that damn didymo. I know I have mentioned some time ago that I believed that the didymo appeared to be dying with some areas of river bed now completely clear, just typical river bottom as one would expect prior to this invasion.

Last Saturday afternoon, I had the opportunity to go for a flick down the river and the biggest (one of the biggest) changes I noticed was the fact that the area just below the old Haka mouth (where the stop bank is), used to be well covered (understatement) in didymo. The length of the didymo seemed to be 'quite long' but was hard to actually determine due to the depth of water. However, on this recent outing, the same area has changed quite dramatically in my opinion. There are of course obvious patches in this area covered with didymo (alive or dead?) but generally, there has been a massive 'clean out'.

Further down the river in one area, I came across a patch of what I would describe as 'budding didymo', small dark areas where it usually first becomes noticeable when alive and doing well. When in this stage, I have the opinion that it was bloody hard to remove from the rocks. Again, here was a difference. This apparently 'budding didymo' which would normally be hard to remove, just scraped away with ease with a wipe of my boot.

I state this VERY cautiously but I am almost convinced that this crap is 'on the way out'. Of course, there are plenty of areas where the stuff is still quite obvious but again, it all seems to be disappearing, dying and certainly not increasing.

Water temperatures have been 'warm' but I have not done any actual temperature readings/recordings but I do wonder, would the water temperature over recent months, have played a part in the reduction (my opinion) of the didymo ?”.

Any bad news for didymo is good news to me and only time will tell. While it is early days yet there are plans to study, in depth, no pun intended, a spring fed groundwater stream which didymo has failed to colonise. It will be very interesting. With Pukaki water colouring the upper lakes, which should filter down through the valley, didymo in the Waitaki River could be in for a rough winter. As didymo prefers maximum light the glacial sediment in the water may reduce sunlight penetration and didymo does not enjoy a shaded substrate. Glacial till in the Waitaki River was always an annual event however over the last few years the river has remained clear throughout the winter. While I have not worked out why this occurs, it could be ice and snow conditions on the main divide, climatic or power generation, or a mix of these; if it it’s bad for didymo then long may it last.

With a cold southerly blast expected tonight and snow to down 600 meters amsl the weekend should be cool but clear inland once the front has moved on.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

With very little to report and only one 3 day weekend left on the fishing calendar, Anzac Day weekend, I guess many have put their gear away until the spring arrives later in the year. Of course there are those hardy souls who have the enthusiasm (and the insulated waders) to persist throughout the winter. To coin an old phrase winter fishing leaves me cold, and I’m not referring to water and air temperature, but quite probably a result of my piscatorial upbringing. My father insisted that the winter was a time for the trout, (he was never a chaser of “quinnats” unless they were Lake Coleridge land locked variety, and that it was also a time for anglers to attend to the many chores that were neglected during the summer season. Whatever they may have been.

I have been talked into the odd foray on a still winters eve but it is always great to arrive home, walk indoors to be enveloped by warmth and ambience of the glowing log fire. Winter nights are dead quiet, all the fluffy animals are keeping warm somewhere and the bird life are all perched with heads under wings waiting out the cold and the darkness. There’s not a lot happening in the dark, in the middle of winter, in many degrees below zero.

Not that I’m scared of the dark or the cold, I probably have the best cold weather garments you can buy. I work in the cold, I hunt in the cold, I have often fished in the cold, however I expect cold when I hunt, and if a there’s work to be done you just work in the cold, but fishing, I don’t think so.

I will always remember my last unwilling fishing adventure, a night spent winter fishing. My bride wishing to make our Japanese guest’s stay a memorable one asked him, and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, if he would like to go fishing one evening as “Graeme would love to take you out to catch a fish”. It was the middle of June for Pete’s sake! Junji was very excited about the proposed fishing trip. We had no days to do it, he was at the Kurow Area School, every day his schedule was tight, which only left the evenings. Evenings turn to night very quickly here in June. Still reeling in disbelief at the suggestion of night fishing in the middle of the winter, the next day after work I hastily readied the “runabout” and fuelled the outboard tank. I didn’t want to go. A licence was filled out and gear stashed aboard. As soon as Junji arrived from school after a quick “bite” we were off to Lake Aviemore, Why Aviemore? Lake Waitaki wasn’t open to winter fishing then and it was the closest water to home. I wanted this escapade to be over and done with as quickly as possible. Junji kept turning round to peer out the rear window to look at the boat being towed behind. This obviously amused him as he would look at me with a large grin. I wasn’t sure if it was actually towing a boat at speed behind a motor vehicle or the anticipation of a boat ride which created his enjoyment, but our language difficulties prevented me asking and I didn’t want to be there any way so I was not in a very communicative mood. It was just on dark when we idled out of Parsons Rock boat ramp and the temperature was plunging, it was going to be another “humdinger” of a frost, just like every other night of the week. I tied on a couple of Rapalas and Junji in his woollen gloves was having considerable difficulty in detaching two sticky sharp trebles from one of his gloves. While he apologised and removed the hooks from the left glove the hooks promptly became imbedded in the right glove. More apologies. Freed from hooks his first cast disappeared somewhere in the dark but was eventually found hooked to the interior of the boat “Sorry sorry”. Finally fishing, inevitably weed fouled his gear and on removing the offending plants the hooks became firmly affixed in his fluffy woollen gloves once more. While he apologised profusely I removed the hooks with difficulty, as it was now very dark. I didn’t want to be there. It was several degrees below zero and any water dripped or splashed immediately turned to ice. Junji’s casts were shockers. Again with many apologies the line would cross mine and the tangle of two lines would occur. This was not going well. “If he says sorry once more…..!” After an age, an ice age, we reached the mouth of the Otematata River where I hoped we would catch a fish. Big, small, didn’t matter. Lets just catch a fish and go home. On retrieving his Rapala to check and clear any foreign matter, you guessed it, those fluffy gloves were hooked again. I’m a patient man but there is a limit “Lose the gloves Junji!”

My rod bent as a fish, species and dimensions unknown, briefly made contact with my lure. Bugger! And on the wrong rod! We circled around the river mouth, the cold starting to affect Junji as I could see him start to shiver, despite being rugged up in some of my cold weather gear. Perhaps its too cold for him, he may want to go home? No he said he was quite comfortable. Yeah right! We completed another orbit and to help pass the time I tried to dream up a system of getting heat from the motor up front for the comfort of the operator. After a lengthy duration, about another 30 cold minutes, which seemed more like 60, whoopee, a fish attached itself to Junji’s line. “Please God don’t let this fish get away”. After a short and uneventful tussle I thankfully netted the unfortunate trout, the whole half kilo of it, and gave it the obligatory smack with the priest. A camera magically appeared from somewhere within my guest’s many layers of clothing and I kid you not, lying on the icy floor of the boat, that fish was cooked to a medium rare with camera flash, there were so many pictures taken of it. Now we can go home I thought! “You really want to fish some more?” Despite his uncontrollable shivering he suggested that we should fish some more. We trolled back toward the ramp for another cold half hour but not another fish indicated an interest. As we motored quietly past the truck and trailer I lied. I claimed that at 10.00 pm the lady of the house would be worried about us not being home. That did the trick and mercifully he agreed we should not concern my wife and that we should proceed back to the ramp. I think that experience finished me for winter fishing. When the ice builds up in the rod rings, the pinkies are painfully cold, and your heads full of “how to keep warm” ideas, that’s not fishing, that’s an ordeal!
If you’re fishing this weekend all waters are clear and fishable but you can expect some frosts if you’re into early morning outings. Fishing lake inflows should be rewarding as the spawning periods draws closer.

On a sunny day in the tussock country, fishing a cicada imitation should provide results as there are still a few chirping on those warmer afternoons, however cicada days are almost over.

Any known salmon spawning activity in the Waitaki River should be investigated and fished with a “Glow bug”, the irresistible salmon egg imitation. When salmon numbers were high in the Hakataramea River the glow bug was unbeatable for taking trout especially rainbow trout. As the salmon season is now closed any salmon hooked must be released unharmed.

Flows in the Waitaki River will be reduced this weekend during low flow trials which involves NIWA fisheries scientists. Today the river should be at 300 to 350 cumecs, Saturday,250 cumecs between 0800 and 1600 hours and down to 140 cumecs on Sunday between 0800 and 1600 hours. Normal generation flows on will resume on Monday. Until it rains all other waters are at a low flow.

And yes the deer hunting was very successful however I noticed the hills are a little higher and the slopes a little steeper this year.

Tight lines

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

Low temperatures, falling leaves, the close of the salmon season and bellowing Red stags signal that summer has passed and the fishing season for many winds down. Hunters begin to think seriously of the coming waterfowl season however the extremely dry conditions will have an effect on them and their quarry as it has for anglers. The drought conditions have returned and the smaller fisheries are in very poor condition. The Hakataramea River has dried over the same areas as earlier in the year. Any salmon migration here will be on hold unless a significant rain event occurs.

In 1985, very similar conditions in the Haka saw a dry mid section of 7 kilometres coinciding with the annual Chinook salmon run. I recall building a barrier trap below the State Highway 83 bridge near the Hakataramea village, and then employing the neighbours tractor and blade to divert water through it by “scratching” a channel in the river gravels. Obviously there were many salmon in the river that year as the ‘85 annual report reminds me that the trap “fished” for 31 days and in that time captured 451 salmon and an unrecorded number of brown trout. 359 of the total salmon catch was transported by our fish tanker upstream of the dry area and released at Rocky Point. 24 were transported to the Awakino River a tributary of the Waitaki River between Kurow and the Waitaki Dam, and the remainder, 68 were released above the fish trap. Because the salmon were usually large and our tanker was built primarily for much smaller species, we could only carry about 10 or 12 a trip, requiring about 40 salmon transportation journeys which we dubbed “Operation Oncorynchus”.

In future years spawning salmon counts revealed redds excavated throughout the river from the confluence with the Waitaki River up to about the most upstream bridge located near “The Hays” and “Hakataramea Downs” on the opposite side, an overall distance in excess of 38 kilometres. Acclimatisation Society reports written by my predecessor, prior to me taking over the position here in 1976, indicate that salmon spawning was mainly confined to the lower Haka River from the Waitaki River to Wrights Crossing a distance of about 13 kilometres. It appears that “Operation Oncorhynchus” increased the length of spawning migration, increased the costs of the annual counts but decreased the superimposition of redds in the lower river.
Yesterday (3.4.08) assisted by Fish and Game Officer Hamish Stevens I walked (stumbled and staggered) through the network of small spring fed streams associated with Stockyard Stream near the confluence of the Hopkins River with the Dobson River. Hidden amongst the shoulder high Red Tussock and associated swamps, the gravels of the streams and seeps are now incubating the spawning effort of over 1103 Sockeye salmon. I guess the peak of the run occurred about 10 days ago. A large number of dead fish in the streams, many areas of disturbed substrate, redds, but fewer fish on or near the spawning beds indicates to me that many more “Sockeyes” had spawned and drifted off downstream. The total count of dead and live fish could only be a conservative count, however it is exciting to find these fish in this location, and as far as we know, perhaps the first big run here for at least 20 years. Long may they prosper.

With salmon off the menu, end of season trout fishing waters are all clear and fishable however this may be only temporary in high country waters due to a strong norwest influence across the South Island.

Presently the Ahuriri is a low 9.0 cumecs, the Haka at 0.5, the Maerewhenua at 0.6, Opihi 8.0 and the Rangitata at 50.0 cumecs. The Waitaki River at 400 cumecs will not change too much over the weekend due to low lake levels in the south, a situation which the heavy rain warning should soon rectify.

With “the roar” at full volume and a long weekend planned in the high tussock tops, a traditional hunting event, angling will not feature for me, and I suspect a number of anglers this weekend. Be careful out there!

Tight lines and straight shooting.

Hamish Stevens, Fish & Game

Salmon season draws to a close

The Easter break saw a large influx of anglers to all the major salmon rivers in the region. The Waitaki River was the place to be and at times had over 200 anglers lining the gut. Fish were being caught fairly regularly with one angler observing 8 fish being played at once. The Waitaki salmon run is traditionally later and would be worth fishing this weekend. Flows around 400 cumecs have been experienced over the last few days but it is expected to drop to between 300-350 cumecs for the weekend. The Rangitata and Opihi Rivers have still been producing salmon but upriver fishermen have been finding hooking fish difficult. The Rangitata is low and clear meaning that salmon have everything in their favour and fishing is best first thing or late in the evening. It looks like we will get some Nor West rain early in the weekend so salmon anglers will be hoping that the river drops quickly so they can have another go before the season finishes on the 31st of March.

Trout fishing has been slow with feeding fish hard to find however if one is on the go odds are that it will take your offering. A recent trip to a local stream showed just how hard the fishing can be with only 4 feeding trout out of the 20 spotted. Often I take my young Labrador on fishing trips and have never had a problem however this trip I had a friend along with his 15 month old GSP. Well Labrador plus GSP equals one broken rod! As my friend was tying a small beadhead on the two dogs came roaring past taking four feet off the tip. Needless to say the language was fairly colourful and the dogs soon had their tails between their legs. As a kind gesture I returned home and loaned my old rod so as he could continue the day. Returning to the stream the dogs jumped out of the truck as though nothing had happened and continued playing. On pulling the loaned rod out I noticed that the tip was broken and found chewed remnants on the floor. Moral of the story don’t take two young dogs out fishing!

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

I expect with the long weekend ahead the salmonid populations will take a beating, none more so than the fish in the Waitaki River. Chinook salmon will be the most sought after species with only 11 days remaining of the shortened season.

Information from a popular weigh in site (Glenavy Hotel) indicates that the seasons catch will exceed the number taken last year.

One trout angler commented that already lake Brown trout are beginning to colour up and targeting river mouths produced some good results for him and his fishing companions this week.

A walk down Larch Stream today (19.3.08), brought back memories of the 70’s and early 80’s. I counted 5730 Sockeye salmon in this small stream which is only 3km in length and remember now why I prefer to fly it, the Huxley swamp has not got any easier to walk through. Surprisingly there is little size difference between these fish and the Lake Benmore fish which makes me think that a large proportion of the run are not Lake Ohau inhabitants, perhaps these fish are Lake Ruataniwha residents, or, Lake Ohau has become more enriched and now provides increased plankton, sufficient to support the current salmon population. Perhaps not but there is considerable change in landscape over the last 20 years, I’m just guessing of course. Huxley Gorge and Glen Lyon Station managers have seen “hundreds” of “sockeyes” in two other spring fed tributaries further upstream. What ever the reason for the resurgence it is great to see!

Reports from the Ahuriri River indicate that although the fish are there they are “hard work”. Possibly due to the high temperatures, most are not interested in anything cast to them. It is unusual to find a fish actively feeding, if you do, then there’s a good chance you will hook it. Perhaps the inactive fish are nocturnal feeders? One angler fishing the Ahuriri River reported the biggest eel he’s seen since he was a schoolboy. The eel of his youth weighed 20lb but this one was much bigger. While electro fishing in the lower Ahuriri River a large eel succumbed to the electrode. Fish of this size are ancient and may be older than you and I. Female Longfinned eels migrate to see to spawn at 24 to 47 years of age and large fish such as the Ahuriri specimens may be slow maturing older fish.

There is a perception amongst many that the only good eel is a dead one. I take a different view, as do many others, they have a place in fishery, predation is a fact of life. A study on a small North Island trout fishery showed that when all the eels were removed the trout population increased but the fish size decreased. No predation, more fish, too many fish for the stream to support, a stunted population remained, of minimal interest to anglers I would think. We know they are very good at keeping the rivers “rubbish” free being capable scavengers. I respect their longevity, I am impressed by their tenacity of life and their life cycle is quite astounding. The New Zealand Longfinned eel is one of the largest of the freshwater eels. There are instances of “longfins” attaining a length of almost 2 metres and weighing more than 50 kg. Now that’s an eel! Fish this size demand respect. I have found eels can be very inquisitive , often when drift diving , looking for trout amongst willow roots or in deep holes an eel will suddenly appear. However it will retreat just as fast when it discovers the disturbance is not a food item. Still, there are many who have a fear of any eel, large or small, and when drift diving it can be quite humorous, for me, when a diver known for his revulsion of eels comes face to face with one. A terrified scream confined to the diameter of a snorkel is indescribable unless you have heard the “bugle” of a bull Wapiti in full rut.

As a young field officer I recall my senior officer at that time who had a fear of eels and any eel he saw usually ended up dead. He would go to great lengths to catch and kill any eel he saw. It was quite a phobia. I’ve seen people like that with spiders. One day he told me why he had such a dislike and fear of the species. As a schoolboy he was “tickling” trout from the undercut banks of a small stream, well you can guess the rest. A “largish” eel grabbed his hand.. Eels have many fine sharp teeth along their jaws and in the roof of the mouth. The mouth is large and the jaws are powerful. In his effort to extract his hand he wrenched it away but in doing so tore the flesh “to the bone” on his young fingers. The fingers became infected and I was told he came close to losing the entire hand. Well perhaps he has good reason to dislike eels however the eel was not a “man eater” and only grabbed the hand as it moved along feeling for a trout either as a possible food item or perhaps in a defensive strike. Yep he sure hated eels.

When annoyed they will retaliate just like your dog or cat might. While walking around Lake Pearson many years ago, a sizeable eel, perhaps 3 or 4 kg, was observed in half meter of water, motionless amongst the aquatic plants. One of our party, who disliked eels immensely, attempted to give it a good poke with tip of his split cane fly rod. A bad decision. In a flash the eel, supposedly sleeping, had the rod tip between its jaws. A swirl and a cloud of suspended silt and it was gone, but so was a considerable amount of varnish from off the mans prized and immaculate English fishing pole.
Electric fishing machines are particularly hard on eels especially long ones. My attempts to keep the Ahuriri eel alive in an oxygenated tank failed and after 2 days it died. I weighed it, it was an impressive 29lbs (13.1kg).

On school camps and during stream studies I have always made a point of educating school children about eels. And while most scream and run when I produce an eel from the fish tanker, by the end of the class they are all, well 99% of them, stroking and handling the fish marvelling at the smooth and velvet skin and usually surprised that the fish is not trying to tear them apart. Their teachers and parents are never so keen and very few of the mothers or fathers will touch them. I wonder where the kids get their fear of eels? The eels do get stressed and will bite but if handled carefully they can remain docile for an amazing length of time. When they become agitated and active however it’s time to return them to the stream and use another specimen from the tanker.

All rivers and lakes are clear and fishable, albeit at a lesser flow than at this time last week. Salmon anglers can expect flows in the Waitaki to be in the 250 to 300 cumec range. If heading north to the Rangitata, it is flowing at a low 55 cumecs. The Ahuriri 11cumecs, Hakataramea River .72, Maerewhenua River .83, Opihi River 7.5 cumecs.
On a flight to count Canada geese I flew along and over several rivers and lakes.

What was noticeable was the lack of anglers and on the lakes, anglers and boats. The few river anglers I did see appeared to be guides with clients fishing the Tekapo and the Ahuriri Rivers. A calm before the storm. From about this Thursday to next Tuesday the situation will be quite different.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

Salmon fishing news dominates with increased runs and angler success throughout the Central South Island Region. This year the fish are larger and in exceptional condition, however a later run of small fish in the 4 to 5 kg range is now appearing in the anglers’ bag.

Inland, an aerial count of Sockeye salmon spawning waters on the 13th March, financed by Meridian Energy, showed salmon spawning in the Lower Ohau, Tekapo, and Twizel Rivers. In the enhanced Ohau tributary, now cleared a further kilometre upstream by Environment Canterbury, numbers are significantly increased.

Didymo growth in the Ohau River has not deterred the “sockeyes” and they have cleared hundreds of square metres of river bed during redd excavation. Brown trout although still in low numbers have increased in the lower Ohau River. In the surveyed lower Tekapo River, brown trout were quite numerous. The lower Twizel River holds some good trout, however there is considerable distance between fish.

Sockeye Salmon Counts, 13.3.08

As a cost saving, Twizel and Tekapo counts were significantly shortened.
The manager of Glen Lyon Station located on the lower Dobson River near its confluence with Lake Ohau reports that in one of the Dobson River’s spring fed tributaries near Stoney Stream, large numbers of small fish have appeared and they are thought to be Sockeye Salmon. Larch Stream, a historical “sockeye” spawning stream on the opposite side of the Dobson River will be checked on foot by the writer in the next few days. The Glen Lyon manager , Nigel Freeman has indicated he will check Stockyard Stream for spawning salmon while working there next week. This water was last used by spawning salmon in the1970’s.

The drying norwesters are having their effect and river flows are down accordingly. The Waitaki River has been lower and the increased catch rate can be attributed to the improved fishing conditions and access.

After last weeks reminiscence of fishing close to home I received correspondence from angler who also spent time at Lake Bryndwr. Apparently bread or cheese successfully caught the goldfish in the lake, I wonder what happened to the poor goldfish, and did they end up in the frypan? I’d like to tell my brother who never got to eat his.

On the southern side of the main lake there were several smaller, shallower ponds and a larger deep one. I recall building a raft which equipped with sail and paddles came to an ignominious end in the disused pit as the combined weight of the crew overcame the buoyancy of the scrap timber and other materials employed in its construction.

While “mucking around doing stuff” in the small ponds we caught a large and ferocious looking dragon-fly larvae. Someone decided that this could be good bait for trout. The unfortunate insect was kept in a jar of water for a trial. The larvae was carefully hooked through the top of the thorax and suspended from a plastic bubble on a short trace. I thought the impaled insect with its legs constantly moving would be irresistible to a cruising trout . I was right!, To ensure the new bait would stay attached the bubble and trace were gently lobbed, not cast onto the lake. The float stabbed downwards and out of sight. A Brown trout was guided into my landing net; not many kids had a landing net. My father arrived home from an anglers club auction with it and he gave to me. A folding “Y” shaped frame with the leading edge formed by a heavy leather thong. A rather long, well varnished “Greenheart” handle incorporated a reversible tang at the butt end which I guess was for poking into the river bank while waiting for a fish. If one looked carefully, you could read the engraving around the alloy fitting, “Made by Hardy Bros Ltd England”. While it meant little to me then, today it would be of considerable value. I wonder what became of it?

The new bait had promise but we would need to find a lot more “ugly bugs”. The smaller safer ponds became a most valuable resource. We discovered, by accident I suspect, if we disturbed the substrate of the pond, “shuffling” through the stones with a stout stick, the dragon-fly larvae would emerge and jet propelled, vacate the area of disturbance. Catching these in your bare hands was not easy but with small nets made from mothers discarded nylon stockings we soon had it down to a fine art. One would “shuffle” the other would catch.

I could not guess at how many trout we took with the suspended dragon-fly rig. Catch and release was never a consideration in the 60’s. Suffice to say we did our bit to successfully annihilate both Brown and Rainbow trout populations of Lake Bryndwr.

Despite all rivers and lakes being clear and fishable the weekend ahead is usually a quiet one with many anglers preparing for the last long weekend of the recognised fishing season, Easter weekend. The Waitaki River should remain in the 250 to 300 cumec range and with the salmon fishing rapidly coming to an end there will be some urgency to land a salmon before the end of the month. The season for salmon ends midnight on Monday 31st March.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

A good rain fell in most places but as is often the case, where it was most needed nothing happened. The flow of the Hakataramea lifted a mere 200 litres per second and is now showing a downward trendrunning at 1.2 cumecs. There are still some fish available, my last report midweek from an area mid river was that they were all small, both brown and rainbow, with the heaviest specimen weighing in at about 500 gm. This is not normal, perhaps the angler was fishing in the nursery. The Maerewhenua River too received a flush of 26 cumecs but dropped rapidly to 1.6. The Ahuriri River produced a good fresh rising to just under 60 cumecs. On the way down it is now at 17 and will be clear and fishable by the weekend. These minor floods are so important now that didymo has a firm hold on a large percentage of our trout streams. Controlled rivers such as the lower Ohau, Tekapo and Waitaki Rivers suit didymo and in these waters it thrives well. The high flows in the Waitaki are dropping back and while the 400 plus cumecs disadvantaged anglers it has given the didymo a beating. The flow over the last few days has been down in the low 300’s. Today and for the weekend it is predicted to remain in the mid 300 cumec range.

An inspection on Wednesday of the enhanced tributary of the lower Ohau with engineers from Environment Canterbury showed Sockeye salmon still immigrating out of the Ohau River. Ecan staff were impressed with the results of their good work in stream clearance. The stream is a hive of activity with redds being excavated and feisty salmon battling it out for suitors and prime redd sites. Completed redds are well protected by one of the parent fish and woe betide any intruder that ventures too close. My guess is there are more salmon in the tributary stream than there were last year however in the Lower Ohau there appears to be a lower number. On the 9th of March last year I counted 7400 sockeye in the Lower Ohau. This year the aerial count is scheduled for about the 13th, weather permitting.

In the Waitaki River, their bigger cousins, Chinooks, have yet to make headline news. While rumours abound about an increase in catch rate, now that the North Island is getting its act together and flows have lowered by 100 cumecs, or thereabouts, the catch rate in the Waitaki River should pick up, providing the fish are there to be caught.

Tight lines

by Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game.

High river flows in the Waitaki River continue and while this is having a beneficial effect on didymo it is disadvantageous to salmon anglers as many of the known “salmon holes” are inaccessible at 400 cumecs. Despite the flow there is still a steady catch rate although numbers are not high. On average however, the salmon appear to be larger than in the last few seasons with high 20, low 30 “pounders” being weighed in at local camps and at the Glenavy Hotel. The proprietors have been weighing and keeping records of salmon catches for as long as I can remember. As many Waitaki anglers know, “the Glenavy” is a well known gathering place for salmon fishers. It’s also a great place to find out what’s happening and where, a place to reflect on salmon fishing days over a cold one and admire the collection of salmon mounts, some of the Waitaki’s largest, which adorn the walls of the bar.

Sockeye salmon were first observed in the enhanced lower Ohau River tributary on the 27th of February last year. On the 25th of February this year, last Monday, I walked the lower sections of the stream saw no fish but by pure chance observed the first 4 Sockeye enter the spawning stream, 3 males and a single female. They were soon followed by 2 more and I suppose if I had had the time I could have sat there all day and watched the spawning migration in progress. Local Ecan engineer Ray Newman called to say that the spawning ground was filling with salmon but a dam board set in place to assist accurate measurement of flows was causing a bottle neck. Despite the centre of the board having a large slot sawn in it to assist upstream migration the “Sockeyes” are ignoring the most obvious route and attempting to migrate up either side where there is the least over-topping of the weir. The board has been lifted temporarily.

The lower Ohau River is a disgusting sight choked with didymo where last year there was none. However at this stage it is not thought to be too much of a problem as last year the sockeye excavated redds through growths of didymo. How the didymo affects water movement through the gravels of the redd is not known. Nor is it known if the minuscule food items sockeye fry require is affected by the didymo infestation. The situation would make an interesting project for a budding fisheries scientist.

I have travelled past 3 of the valley lakes on 3 occasions this week and despite the excellent weather there has been minimal trout fishing activity, almost nil. Weekends are much busier, however as a wet few days is predicted, there could be a “safe” weekend ahead for trout.

All rivers are on a steady downward trend, the Rangitata River has been high and discoloured due to norwest conditions and at present is flowing at about 78 cumecs down from 250 earlier in the week, the Opihi River is down from 10 cumecs to 3.6 , Ahuriri River from 28 down to14 cumecs, Haka down from 1.5 to .9, Maerewhenua down from 2.1 to 1.1 and the Kakanui down from 1.5 to .65 cumecs. The Waitaki River is expected to remain high in the range of 350 to 425 cumecs for the weekend.

Tight lines.

by Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game

Another very warm week most of which I spent at one of my favourite locations, Lake Ohau. The days were clear and calm until the arrival of the afternoon CPB, (Canterbury Plains Breeze). I’m unsure as to why it’s called a Canterbury phenomenon as it crosses the boundary into Otago on a regular basis, nor why it’s called a “breeze” The air movement could better be described as rather brisk wind. Boat fishing becomes hard work and there is always a struggle to keep the vessel on course and trolling in fish catching depths, especially along the extremely convoluted shoreline at the head of the lake. If the fish aren’t cooperating however, the rough conditions provide a perfect excuse to head for shore, retire to camp and discuss the mornings results, or lack of them, and what we will do when the wind drops. What better way to do this than with drinks and “nibbles”? Some of fishing experiences had by the occupants of the two boats we use on our annual family get- together become legend others are totally untrue. It is not important if one crew catches more or bigger fish, it’s not a competition, (yeah right), however it is always good fun and a great way to “catch-up” with family members domiciled in distant parts of the island.

Lake Ohau and its tributaries provides many opportunities for anglers if you strike the weather right, this is not always possible due to the prevalent “Norwesters” which only blow strong to gale force. As I said it’s a family get together which rules out me sneaking off with a fly rod somewhere, and Tuesday and Wednesday mornings were ideal for polaroiding the lake edge. From an elevated position in my boat I saw many trout cruising the rippled sands of the lake bed as we idled on by. The Dobson River mouth and shoreline on both sides for a considerable distance is clean, firm sand and any trout moving are quite easy to see.

The lake was not over generous with its offerings on this trip, four rods on four outings, mornings and evenings, caught about 16 fish and lost about 4 or 5, it‘s not a competition so who’s counting. (We got 4 more than they did!)

The catch was mostly “browns” usually the catch is predominately “rainbows”. Condition factors of the “browns” and smaller Rainbow trout were high but 2 larger “rainbows” were marginally leaner. The fish were not weighed but my "guestimate" is the smallest at 500 gm up to 1500 gm. Of course the ones that got away were monstrous.

What did we catch them on? I have to admit that I buy a couple of new lures prior to this annual event. Every year. This years creation which I paid too much for is called a “Poltergeist”, it comes with two diving bibs, the short one will take your lure to 3 metres, the long bib “dives to an amazing 8 metres whilst maintaining a tight shuffling action”. Well that’s what’s printed on the box. (Changing the bib is tricky as there are no instructions , but after 3 or 4 minutes I discovered how. The secret is having a very small screw driver handy to push a key from a keyway which locks it in place). While my sounder didn’t quite agree with makers claims, of course the “Hummingbird” could be at fault, after some testing and many collisions with the substrate the Australian gear was replaced with the old “tried and true”. In an attempt to find the magic colour combination. I tied many clinch knots during our fishing periods however at the risk of giving away family secrets, green and green and gold did the trick. I’ve said it before, those Rapalas can catch fish!

The low point of the trip was while scaling a fish on semi submerged herbage along the lake edge I became the victim of a “being”, which I guess was rather small but with a king size punch. Having seen the occasional bee floating along I guessed I had been stung by a bee. I had a knife in my hand and immediately scraped clean the highly sensitive area of my fourth finger. Now I haven’t come in contact with the sharp end of a honey bee since my school days but I do remember mother applying the “blue bag” from off the twin concrete tubs in the wash house and that’s about all. Within minutes and after unsuccessfully trying to gain some sympathy, ( “Do you realise that by letting the bee sting you, you have deprived it of life?” was all I got), the stinging had subsided and I guessed the cold water in which I was cleaning the catch was doing a good job. By the time camp was reached the affected area had turned a brilliant scarlet and the finger a little larger than I remember it. An hour or two later the colouration was spreading around the fingernail and up the finger. With a “concerned” brother talking of amputation before the infection reached my elbow, we all agreed that this affliction was not caused by an insect of the nectar collecting kind. On closer examination, double puncture marks indicated it may have been something with 8 legs. All anglers would have seen some impressive spiders on, in and around water when fishing. So I’m now thinking these “harmless” spiders which I have handled with ease in the past I will now leave well alone. The species may well be wrongly accused, but I am unaware of any other creature capable of inflicting such an injury. I resorted to some bush surgery with a sterilized needle the colour remains and a very annoying itch has begun. A good sign I hope.

Having been out of circulation for most of the week information on salmon fishing has been limited excepting that in the lower Waitaki River the catch rate has been slow. “Scuttlebutt” indicates that a couple of fish lost were huge. One fish observed by several anglers, after a lengthy battle, was about to be tailed up the beach when the hook “fell out”. This salmon was rumoured to be in the high 30’s (pounds) and may have been a 40 pounder!

Despite a rosy dawn this morning, “Red sky in the morning , etc, etc”, the Met’ office forecasts fine and settled weather to remain for a few days yet and all waters are clear and fishable. The last rain event was of great benefit and the Haka and Maerewhenua Rivers are still flowing above 1.5 cumecs. The Ahuriri River is low and clear at 11 cumecs and an Omarama angler informs me that while the fish are easy to find they are not feeding and refuse anything cast to them. The Waitaki River at 419 cumecs will remain at flows close to this during the weekend.

Tight lines.

by Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game.
Changeable weather conditions and cooling of air temperatures has been refreshing. Mondays deluge accompanied by a noisy electrical storm was of short duration but low flows steadied in affected areas. With a good rain of 12.0 mm at Kurow overnight , the Hakataramea and Maerewhenua Rivers are on the increase. The Haka is still rising and at present is at 2.3 cumecs, the Maerewhenua peaked briefly at close to 40 but is receding and now at 11.0 cumecs. The Ahuriri River is rising and with the rain still falling in the high country (6.30 am on 15.2.08) my guess is it will exceed the present flow of 14.5cumecs. Temuka staff report that South Canterbury rivers to the north are rising and that they may be discoloured for the whole weekend. With the Rangitata River at 125 cumecs and rising it is expected to be similarly affected. The weekend’s weather looks a bit scruffy and from my office window I can see a generous dump of snow on the St Mary Range. The southerly wind will have a bite to it.

There have been higher flows in the Waitaki River again this week, up to 460 cumecs, and from all reports this is having an effect on didymo with minimal fouling of fishing gear. There are 407 cumecs trundling down at this time, however it is predicted the flows will be in the 300 to 350 cumec area during the weekend.

Salmon have been seen and hooked in the upper stretches of the Waitaki River indicating there has been some movement from the lower river and that any likely “salmon hole” could be productive through the remainder of the season.
With February “galloping along”, if anyone wanted to target pre spawning Sockeye salmon, now would be the time to do some exploratory fishing in the Haldon Arm of Lake Benmore concentrating on the water around Ohau “C” and across to the confluence of the Tekapo and Ohau Rivers. Trolling trout lures has worked in the past, I suspect smaller than larger patterns would work best. According to last years diary, Sockeye salmon were migrating up the Ohau river and unnamed tributary on the 27th February. From the numbers I saw and the distance they had travelled my guess is they had been on migration for several days. If their timetable is the same as in 2007, next week will be about the right time to catch schooling “Sockeyes”.

I spent almost a day on the Haldon Arm of Lake Benmore in a 6 metre boat crammed with batteries two computers, several boxes filled with cables and fittings plus a large and interesting apparatus covered in switches and dials. All this paraphernalia was connected to two cables which led to a large transducer submerged half a meter below the surface attached to a starboard gunwale fitting. The apparatus belonged to NIWA and Stefan from Quebec Canada was the very knowledgeable operator, Bill Jarvie from Fish and Game Southland supplied and skippered the vessel. The object of the exercise was to collect data from the sonar which was operated while the boat was steered on a predetermined course . The course was a zig-zag route from shore out to 30 metres and then turn and return to shore and then back out to 30 meters and we did this for most of the day. Now at planing speed this could have been fun but at a steady 1100 rpm on the big “Merc's” tacho', about 5 knots I guess, this became rather tedious. The screen showed fish of all sizes from miniscule dots to banana shapes indicating large fish however without a fishing pole on board and after some 20 kilometres it became rather tedious. No stops were permitted and speed had to be constant. It was obvious however that the bulk of the fish population was located at the very top of the lake and that the further one travelled towards Benmore Dam fewer fish showed on the screen. That of course was the most visible and obvious results, however much of the information was locked up in the on board computer and would not be available until deciphered back at NIWA headquarters. The object of the exercise, as I understand it, is to find a reliable method of assessing fish populations in lakes. The first lake surveyed was Lake Coleridge, then Lake Benmore, Hawea and then I assume waters further south. The following day the survey was to be carried out on the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore and closer to home I was interested to see how the two arms compared from a fish population perspective. Unfortunately there were more important things to do than spend a day cruising on the lake enjoying sun and scenery. How do you get these good jobs? However I called Bill, who at the time was spending a second day on Lake Hawea stating they were having difficulty finding fish. I asked how the fish numbers in the Ahuriri Arm compared. They were impressed with the Haldon Arm numbers so the Ahuriri Arm would have them in raptures.
Not so. Haldon Arm was by far the most prolific producer. I was surprised. I started thinking about it. The Ahuriri Arm is not deep, especially where most of the fish are taken, perhaps a large hull at full displacement in these depths dispersed fish outside the transducer’s arc and therefore less sonar contacts were made. It will be interesting to read the full report at the end of the mission, the information collected will show at what depth most fish were located and there may be some truth in my shallow water thinking.

While discussing my fish finding day with angling and hunting friend Tom who had telephoned to see if I would go fishing with him, he asked if there was anything he should know. I noticed, as did Bill and Stefan, that wherever we located a drowned tree on the screen, remnants of pre hydro days, without fail there was always a large fish in close proximity. Although we were in a different arm of the lake to where Tom was heading I passed on the information. That evening I received a call from Tom saying he had picked up two trees on his fish finder and had spent just a little more effort casting around them to be rewarded with a good fish from each. Science, sonar and skill equals fish!

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game Officer

With a public holiday midweek and glorious weather, it was inevitable some trout in the region would be caught. The slowing of the trout catch rate in the valley’s lakes appears to have been reversed, possibly due to the loss of many holiday makers or the cooler spell with rain, probably a combination of both. I have received some good reports especially from Lake Benmore. I was informed of an angler who set out to catch a 2 to 3 pounder to put in his smoker. The angler went home without his fish simply because he couldn’t catch one small enough! Now that’s a fisherman’s story with a twist. Apparently all the fish he landed were 5’s and 6’s, far too big for the stainless steel “hot smoker” every angler seems to own.

No salmon were caught in the Waitaki River on Waitangi Day, or none that we’ve heard of, however last Sunday there was some excitement with 6 salmon landed in the lower river and on Tuesday there were 8. That’s almost a run! Perhaps not, but as one angler reminded me, this is what happened last year, with no big catches beginning until the last week in February. Salmon then became more numerous as the season progressed with the best week being the last week of the season. The season for salmon is again a shortened one, it closes on the last day of March, so there is some trepidation amongst anglers that the runs may come too late.

In the Rangitata River the last few days have been quiet, however Mark Webb from our Temuka office tells me about 30 were landed earlier in the week.

I enjoy angler’s stories and hearing how an ordinary day can take a “U” turn and become an extraordinary day. I was talking to an acquaintance and friend of many years Richard Hill a very keen and successful angler despite being confined to a wheel chair. When ever I stop at the Oamaru sports store where Richard works he most often relates his exploits or his observations while fishing the Waitaki lakes. I think that you and I, as fully mobile anglers may never experience or ever think twice about some of Richards knotty little problems.

I don’t doubt that many of us in the process of landing a fish have had the trout race between our legs. You step over the line and the fish is able to run free. Simple. Not for Richard. What do you do when fishing from lake side shallows and the fish you are about to net races between the wheels? The wheels you’re sitting on!
From talking with Richard I get the impression that in the waters that he fishes he gets to know the local trout population very well and to him they are all different individuals. He probably spends more time in one spot than you and I and is able to do this. He has intimate knowledge of which fish cruises where and has probably caught and released a good number of them.

Anyway Richard, his usual chirpy self when I called last week said “I caught my trophy fish on the weekend” “How big?” I asked, naturally. “10.8lb on my digital scales”. I was taken a bit by surprise. "Lake Benmore?” I asked but thinking hydro canal. “Yep, they put me in a kayak” “What did you catch him on, spin or fly?” I inquired but thinking worm. “Nymph” he replied’ “Brown or rainbow?” “Brown”. “A fish that size would tow you a round a bit”. He laughed “I was anchored but we did a few revolutions” I immediately pictured Richard and kayak doing steady turns on the anchor rope, like the hand of a stop watch, it would have been quite an experience. Richard releases his fish but I guessed this was going to be a “wall hanger”. “Did you get some pics?” I was keen to see the monster “Bit of a sad story there, batteries were flat”

So here was Richard, a fish of a lifetime at his feet , no camera to record the event, what do you do? “I let it go” Richard said nonchalantly. I was surprised. I’m not so sure I would have had it been me. Where’s the proof, who’d believe me? “I’m not worried” said Richard when I mentioned the all important photograph. “ I know I caught him”.

A lot of people, including me, would find that easy to say but might struggle making the decision, a decision that needs to made reasonably quickly. The more I thought about Richard’s trophy fish, the better I thought of Richard and in fact it’s quite extraordinary how his big moment in trout fishing made me, and I suspect others I have told the story to, think a bit more about catch and release and having the courage to return the “big one” back to the water. I suppose you have to be in that situation to know exactly what you would do at that crucial moment. Congratulations Richard, a great achievement landing a double figure trophy fish, an even greater feat, letting it go. (Richard informs me his camera batteries are now fully charged).

With salmon appearing in the Waitaki River at last, those heading out there will find the river flowing in the 300 to 400 cumec range, the South Island doing its bit to keep the North supplied with electricity. The good thing about the higher flows we have been experiencing is the didymo is being pruned back and I’m told salmon fishing is almost didymo free.

The smaller rivers are getting smaller however the Hakataramea River is holding at about 650 litres per second. The Ahuriri River has dropped a further 2 cumecs flowing now at 11 cumecs. To the north the Rangitata is at 58 cumecs and the Opihi at about 5 cumecs.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game Officer

The hot weather continues and the recent rain as beneficial as it was to some has undone much of the fish salvage work completed in previous weeks. Although there was not sufficient rain to fill the Hakataramea River there was enough to raise the level in isolated pools so as to reconnect several of them. Those pools which had been netted and electro fished of their stranded residents have now been repopulated as fingerlings and smolts drift downstream from those deeper pools still safe and populated with fish. As the levels fall they will all require fish salvage once again.

Salmon news centres on the Rangitata River catches however on Sunday I received a call from an Oamaru angler Trevor Hill, who I’m constantly calling to find out what’s happening in the Waitaki. Trevor caught two salmon from his boat within several minutes in the lower Waitaki River. They are the first to be on the board at the Glenavy Hotel . If I remember correctly, they weighed 20 and 22 pounds.

I thought this would attract some anglers however while flying the region on the annual shelduck and Black Swan trend counts yesterday I did not see anyone fishing the lower river. There were two parties fishing on the Ahuriri River, 3 boats on Lake Tekapo and one on Lake Alexandrina. Not a lot of angling effort for the many trout waters I over flew.

The Waitaki River trout population appears to be in good health still. After a mid week excursion by an angling friend he reported sighting many good trout, all rising. He couldn’t establish what they were taking but a small parachute “Adams” fooled the fish he could get a line to. The catch rate was not good but just seeing them “on the top” was a great experience. He did say that while boating the river the bottom turned an unusual grey colour. He thought “not another kind of weed!” He stopped to check out one of these areas only to find he was looking at a clean gravel bed. Large areas with not a strand of didymo to be seen. Very unusual but probably nothing to get too excited about.

River flows continue to recede and all waters are lower than at this time last week. The Haka is now down to .630, Maerewhenua at .558, the Waihao .240 and the Kakanui at .319, Opihi 3.5cumecs. In the high country the Ahuriri River is flowing at a low 12.8 cumecs and the Rangitata at 61.0cumecs. The Waitaki has been up in the low 400’s but should be around 300 cumecs for the weekend. Anglers who intend being in the lower Tekapo River area should be aware that there will be a recreational release of water down the Pukaki River, ( for the kayak and canoe enthusiasts) beginning at 5.00am on Sunday 3rd February with 35 cumecs until 3.00pm in the afternoon when flows will have increased to 140 cumecs.

Finally, it’s farewell to Richard Fitzpatrick from Otago Fish and Game Region, Richard and I converse on most Thursdays regarding fishing in our respective regions, we swap information for our Friday reports and generally keep in touch with what’s happening around the two regions. This is Richard’s last week working for Fish and Game. His resignation will be quite an inconvenience for Otago as his knowledge and skills will be difficult to replace. Richard tells me that the cicada season is in full swing in Otago’s tussock country and that the Logan Burn Dam is fishing particularly well. The lower Clutha River is still full of cooperative trout and he said this was an extraordinary event. My Otago information will now be sadly lacking. Thanks for all your help.

Good luck and tight lines Richard!

Graeme Hughes, Fish &Game Officer

The region received a welcome rain and although it was heavy in places, where it was needed most, there is little evidence of a change in river flows. The Ahuriri River peaked at 54 cumecs, up 36 cumecs and the Maerewhenua rose from 700 litres per second to 1.4cumecs. The Hakataramea River remains at a low flow, 800 litres per second at the time of writing this report.

With most holiday makers back at work there are still many camped along riverbanks and lake shorelines. During the last week I have had reports of mixed fishing success, however it does appear that on the lakes at least, there has been a slowing of the catch rate. This is probably not surprising when you consider the exposure the trout population has had during the recognised holiday period. The disturbance factor is greatly increased, boats of all types jet, prop and paddle power. Hours of high speed orbits by towed water toys, and of course an increase in the fishing effort. I visited a spot with rod in hand knowing that there were always fish visible and where there is minimal fishing pressure. I became suspicious when I put three good fish down without making any obvious mistakes. The wrong choice of nymph or fly will often be “perused and refused” but to streak for escape cover at the sight of an imitation was not what I expected. My suspicions were further aroused when I noticed tracks through the parched grasses and the empty bottles and food wrappers that the inconsiderate visitors could not carry home. These fish were well educated and their memory is obviously way beyond that of the common goldfish. I’ll give them a couple of weeks and try again, by then they may be more forgiving should I choose the wrong pattern again.

The netting and electro fishing in the Hakataramea River continues however large numbers of fingerlings remain in some pools which although not connected to any surface flow are still too deep to effectively work but at risk from predation and drying. Work will continue until there is a significant rain event.

The Brown beetle flight is over, caddis numbers have dwindled , however cicadas have just started their chirping chorus providing high country trout with a new diet. It is a time of big food items for fish and big opportunities for fisherpersons. The delicate presentation required for fishing a mayfly imitation can be completely disregarded when the cicadas are flying. In fact the “splat” of a large deer hair cicada pattern on the surface is much like a dinner gong to trout which have “switched on” to this annual feasting. The “takes” are usually eruptions, often from some depth, with much splash and noise. There is nothing tidy about a trout’s feeding habits when cicadas are on the menu. Cicada fishing is poor training for a novice fly fisher as you can break several golden rules of fly casting and still catch your fish. If you miss-time the lift and fail to hook a rising trout, you can put the fly back immediately and it will be taken again, and again, but after about the third time even the most uneducated trout will probably guess that something is not quite right.

Salmon in the Rangitata River are still providing exciting times for the angler.
The season started well at the Rangitata with good catches of spring run fish in November/December and has continued on into January with both the number and size of fish surprising anglers. Fish weighing up to 13.6kg or 30 pound have been confirmed with reports of larger fish landed as well. Anglers have also commented on the excellent condition these fish seem to be in suggesting that conditions and food supply have been favourable at sea for the past three years. Around 380 salmon have been landed at the mouth with last week yielding 44 fish for one day! Mouth anglers have not been the only ones to have increased catch rates with river fishermen regularly taking limit bags as well. Salmon are well spread throughout the river now, allowing anglers who prefer quieter waters to fish away from the crowds. It has been about seven years since we have seen a run of fish like this and with just over two months to the end of the season it is likely that a few more will be added to the tally. Salmon have also been taken in the Orari, Opihi and Ashburton Rivers but in much lesser numbers.

It has taken a while but the local scuttlebutt has it that “a few” salmon have been taken in the lower Waitaki River. Details are as usual sketchy however with the information soon to become common knowledge it can be expected that the angling effort on the river will increase and with more gear in the water there should be more fish landed.

Trout fishing in the Waitaki River is still productive however the catch rate is much greater for jet boat owners who can move about exploring the many possibilities available. A recent report from an experienced Waitaki angler suggests that spinning is successful providing you are able to withstand the annoyance of didymo. Casting a nymph is much less work and on average provides a better catch rate.
Conditions for the weekend ahead are favourable, the cooler weather is a welcome and refreshing respite from those grass crackling, parched days recently endured. Most waters clear and fishable. The Ahuriri River is receding after reaching 70 cumecs and is presently flowing at 20 cumecs . It was quite murky during the week so I would expect it to be fishable but with a “smidgen” of colour. All other trout waters are fishable. If the target is salmon this weekend the Waitaki is clear and expected to be running at about 300 cumecs. The Rangitata River peaked at about 330 cumecs, is receding and yesterday it was at 125 cumecs, today down to 82.9 and clearing. Local opinion suggests it should be clear enough for fishing on Saturday, definitely by Sunday.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish and Game Officer

The week has been warm and windy. Not good fishing conditions. A brief shower mid week of about 2mm was refreshing but that was about it. Today, Friday, light rain is falling but this is expected to clear during the day. An Otago colleague told me that it “belted down” in Dunedin and rivers of the Otago Fish & Game region were beginning to rise. If you’re heading south for some trout fishing you should check with the OFG office for river conditions. From my conversation with him the Clutha River is currently fishing very well.

All smaller trout fisheries of the CSI region are under stress with fish salvage from drying streams underway. The Hakataramea River is dry for about 2 km and several thousand fish, mainly juveniles, have been moved downstream to permanent water. Unfortunately as often happens in the wild, a disaster for one species is a wind fall for another. It is “a time of plenty” for a large number of white-faced herons. Several bands of these efficient fishers, 28 in one flock, is taking advantage of the situation and I suspect eating more small fish than I can catch by electro fishing.

It is during these time of low flows one can actually see how productive small trout streams can be. Under any overhanging bank eels are numerous, and large trout, all “browns” up to 3.0 kg, seek cover. In the main channel where water is reduced to about shin deep the water moves with fingerlings in their thousands. Without being too accurate the catch so far consists of about 80% brown trout, 10% rainbow and 10% chinook salmon. Common and Upland bullies are everywhere in the shallows and at the head of the pools where water trickles through the cobbles, Common River Galaxids seek out what little flow there is.

While the Waitaki River has failed to give up its salmon in the Rangitata River the catch rate has been quite astounding and it is being said that it’s the best salmon catch since the year 2000.

On two separate days Rangitata anglers took 44 and 30 salmon. The total catch this year at the mouth has exceeded 200 with the south side being the most productive.
It would not be a Hughes report if I did not mention didymo. But this is good news, sort of. I was wrong! But on this occasion it was good to be wrong. The sample of algae I collected from the Aviemore Spawning Race was Gomphoneis not Didymosphenia geminata. Although it was in its early stages and was mixed up with filamentous algae it sure looked like didymo to me. I put 2 and 2 together and got 5! With the long hot sunny days the didymo look alike had flourished and this bloom of brown algae coupled with the knowledge that didymo already exists in tributaries of lakes upstream, I assumed incorrectly that at last and inevitably the horrible stuff had made it through Lake Benmore and Lake Aviemore finding suitable substrate to cling to in the gravelled spawning race.

The Waitaki River has been running higher this week due to several “outages” requiring more production from local hydro dams. In the high 300 up to 400 cumecs this has increased the amount of didymo drifting downstream. Anglers claim that fishing in the lower river is frustrating if the river runs above 300 cumecs.

Other news about didymo it is reported to be dying off in the Maerewhenua River. Below Wrights Crossing in the Hakataramea River I have observed the same. The didymo while only in its early stages here, is dying off and easily dislodged from the stones with ones hand. Anyway this is interesting stuff and I have passed on the information to ECAN as I believe someone with knowledge should be looking into these unusual but very welcome occurrences.

Excepting for the Ahuriri River which has risen 5 cumecs to 18.0cumecs, flows for the weekend will remain low with all volumes down slightly from last week. The Waitaki River presently at 251 cumecs should run between 200 and 300cumecs. The Rangitata River which I suspect will be a busy place is recorded at 82 cumecs and clearing nicely for the weekend salmon angler.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish and Game Officer

The new year has provided the hot dry weather much sought after by many holiday makers camping in the region, the down side being trout streams are dangerously low and fish salvage is imminent in several unless there is a significant rain event.
Since my last report on the 21st December there has been a steady decline in flows: the Ahuriri River, 28 down to 13.3 cumecs, Maerewhenua from1.1 to .75, Hakataramea from 1.9 to .87, Rangitata, from a flood flow of 400 cumecs now at 82.7 and the Opihi, 11.5 down to 4.1.
Understandably, fishing in low, clear waters is hard work and can be quite frustrating. Not forgetting that an increase in angler visits, holiday makers, has every trout on “red alert”. Long leaders, light tippets and pin point accurate casting are required. Presentation is everything as fish will bolt for cover if anything heavier than a thistle seed settles on the surface.
Although I have been out of the district recent fishing history in the valley indicates that the Waitaki Lakes and the Waitaki River, despite didymo, have been providing trout consistently over the last 3 weeks, but salmon have been late to appear. Whereas the Rangitata is in full swing with 111 fish weighed in over the last 10 days, only 2 salmon have been reported, taken at the Waitaki mouth on the south side. An acquaintance saw a salmon below Kurow but seeing one is not quite the same.
There are still a few sea run “browns” being caught and I saw a brace of silver beauties taken on natural smelt on Wednesday with a combined weight of about 7 kg.
Arriving at the Aviemore Spawning Race on Wednesday to begin some bank side maintenance I immediately saw the unmistakeable rusty brown colouration on some areas of gravel. I retrieved several stones covered in didymo and sent a sample of to Ecan to have it officially identified. I last visited the race in October and at that time everything looked normal. The race is the only permanent water where Lake Waitaki trout can spawn. The Awahokomo Stream, a small tributary near the Waitaki Dam, at times has sufficient flow to attract spawning trout into it however the flows usually cease early summer and on most years the hatch is lost. Each year from about May up until October some 600 trout, rainbow and brown, migrate into the Aviemore Spawning Race. While I have observed trout and salmon excavate redds in didymo covered substrate, I guess it depends how fast the redd is covered by the invasive algae as to how much the incubating eggs or hatched juveniles will be affected. Water must percolate through the pockets of ova contained within the redd to provide life giving oxygen and remove waste. After hatching the alevins having absorbed their yolk sacs become “swim up fry” and move up through the gravels to become free swimming. If they can find their way through the gravel of the redd I suspect the didymo should be no problem for them. The newly emerged fry then need to find enough food to exist in the nursery water. There have been researchers look at the productivity of the spawning race in the early 90’s. The race may provide opportunities to find out if didymo is affecting reproduction of trout in affected waters.
If you are heading north to fish the Rakaia River please note that the daily bag limit for trout is 2 not 4 as in the Waitaki River. We have had a call from North Canterbury claiming that Central South Island anglers have been unaware that there is a lesser daily bag in the Rakaia River.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish and Game Officer

Some very welcome rain in the region bumped up flows and halted the steady downward trend in the smaller waters. Fishing appears to be temporarily on hold as the population prepares for Christmas and some holiday time. The week’s weather has been a bit scruffy with overcast conditions with the wind brisk at times from the west and the south. My time management has failed miserably when I lost a day due to unexpected and unscheduled work popping up out of nowhere. Prior to this I did have two mornings on Lake Waitaki where with limited time I fished minor solunar periods and despite the grey days and spots of rain my guest took home several lake limited salmon, brown and rainbow trout. With the tables I was able to pick the best tines to fish, without the tables I could be further behind than I am now. Along with Waitaki Valley fish my guest also took home a “bundle of bunnies” I shot on the Kurow rugby field and through the fence on the neighbours property. The rabbit numbers have now got out of hand and both the neighbour and I have been taking a dozen or so per night without moving more than 500 meters from the house. You can’t see where we’ve been and those that remain are become very suspicious. The clever and elusve indivdual that has been continually digging up my lawn came to a “sticky end”. His time was up. His “sticky end” could have been worse on Saturday when I almost took him out with the “ride on” while racing around the shrubbery cutting what grass was left.

The Otiake River algae sample I sent off last week received official identification, Didymosphenia geminata is alive and well in this small tributary of Waitaki. The sample from the Awakino River was, as suspected, a similar looking native algae Gomphoneis, quite harmless. The question still remains how did didymo get in to the Otaike. Anglers, their boats or vehicles can’t be blamed for this outbreak. The most likely vector may be of the feathered kind.

Salmon fishing has not been good over the past week, the Rangitata peaked at 400 cumecs but is falling rapidly , 150 cumecs at present so looking good for the weekend through to Christmas Day. A salmon was hooked and lost in the Opihi at the State Highway 1 bridge and f any one’s caught a salmon in the Waitaki River they’re keeping it a secret. All other waters are clear and fishable , perhaps a “smidgin” of colour in the Ahuriri River which rose to 60 cumecs but is now down to a respectable 27 cumecs.

Due to time constraints my facts and figures on how much a fishery is worth to a community will have to wait until the new year.

Thanks to the anglers who contacted me after my request for information regarding the lagarosiphon spraying on Lake Benmore, your comments have been helpful and are appreciated. To other correspondents, we value your input and comments throughout the year.

Have a great Christmas enjoy New Year celebrations and until my next report which should be 4th January 2008, tight lines!

Graeme Hughes, Fish and Game Officer

A rainfall of 5mm was obviously not enough to do much for the water shortage affecting small trout fisheries. Snow fed rivers however received norwest rain and the Ohau catchment appeared to get its own deluge which swelled the Hopkins and Dobson Rivers filling Lake Ohau rapidly. Much of the power generation is presently coming from Lake Ohau, the larger Pukaki and Tekapo lake storage being saved as they are presently at low levels. The Rangitata peaked at 250 cumecs and is now flowing at 198 cumecs. With the increased flow and some added colour salmon catches should increase as the levels fall. There has been 24 salmon taken at the mouth in the last 4 weeks and salmon should now be well spread through to the upper reaches. The Ahuriri River received 40 cumecs and there will be some colour however it is dropping and clearing flowing at 27 cumecs. The Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore will be a bit murky. There is a slight drop in the Haka flowing at 1.1 cumecs and the Maerewhenua has steadied at 731 litres per second. The Waitaki River is at 340 cumecs and expected to drop and for the weekend predicted to be in the 250 to 300 cumec area.

For reasons unknown the fishing news has been rather quiet this week. A colleague from Otago fished the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore and during the day, I’m not sure of the hours spent fishing, he an a companion landed 25 trout. He reported that the lagarosiphon “looked a bit flat” and that’s understandable as it was sprayed with a herbicide in a gel form on the 28th of November. This is ongoing to keep this oxygen weed under control. We don’t want the head of the lake to look like Lake Dunstan.
I received a complaint at that time from an angler who believed that there should have been a warning sign at Sailors Cutting. He stated that spraying by helicopter continued around him and that he left after a short time as the experience was not pleasant and that he began to feel unwell due to the close proximity of the operation. The lack of signage is disputed by the contractor and further investigation is underway.
Anglers on the lake on the 28th should contact the writer or the Temuka Fish and Game office if they have any comments regarding the spraying and signage.

Tight lines

Graeme Hughes, Fish and Game Officer

The opening of the upper Ahuriri River created considerable interest in the top section but the lower area, Avon Burn downstream to Longslip Creek was hardly fished. There was no shortage of fish and as expected a good early season catch rate was achieved by anglers on nymph and dry fly. Reports of increased growths of didymo are disappointing.

Elsewhere in the region successful reports indicate an increased number of salmon in the Rangitata and consequently more successful anglers. The number caught is easy to keep track of when the catch rate is low, however with salmon well up river and anglers widely spread it becomes more difficult to provide an accurate assessment.
There is some activity at the Waitaki River mouth as sea run “browns” feed on smelt. Fishing the natural however has been difficult due to the downstream drift of didymo. One angler I spoke with, who has fished the natural “silvery” successfully for many decades, has given up because of his inability to keep line and bait clear of algae.
Continued reports of good fishing filter through, the Opihi River features as one of the better coastal waters and the Tekapo as always provides excellent catch rates despite the increase in the growth and range of didymo.

The Waitaki River was up in the low 300’s on Thursday and that was the afternoon which I chose to bond with my fly rod and dry fly, something I’ve not done since last season. The didymo floating past, dislodged by the increased flow was phenomenal and quite off putting. Although several fish were seen, they were quite obstinate , refusing dries and nymphs. My “off sider” fooled one, a rainbow of medium proportions which stretched the leader but without aerobatics. It was quickly beached and released. Well it was his birthday so he deserved a fish. Although the sun was shining, the easterly was strong and cold. Casting lacked accuracy, I discovered two new holes in my waders, one in each and I have to admit my heart was not really in the job at hand. It was good to boat with the wind on the way home, despite continual evasive action to avoid the jet unit consuming large mats of didymo.

The summer is shaping up to be a dry affair and with no significant rainfall river flows continue to fall. All waters have dropped excepting the Ahuriri, and the Tekapo of course. The Waitaki will be in the 250 to 300 cumec range for the weekend and perhaps a salmon or two may herald the beginning of the salmon migration here.

Solunar periods

I received an inquiry via the Email asking about solunar tables which I wrote about last week. Not all anglers are convinced that they are important, however if you have limited time or had a choice of times to go fishing, in my opinion, if you could fish the times as stipulated in the tables, then it would be foolish not to.

Fishing or hunting times are calculated from positions of the sun and moon hence the name solunar, “sol” meaning sun, “luna” meaning moon. About 60 years ago an American, John Alden Knight, wanted to know why he could cast for many hours without a bite, and then suddenly the fish began to feed and he would catch fish. After a period of time they appeared to stop feeding just as suddenly as he would cease to hook fish. He sensibly thought that if these periods of activity could be predicted it would save countless hours of fruitless casting. Knight’s theory claims that the solunar periods occurred 4 times a day. The 4 periods are designated as “minor” and “major” feeding periods. The “minor” is a shorter period and feeding may last 45 minutes to an hour. The “major” period may last for 1.5 to 2 hours or longer. Knight claims that anglers should not ignore the “minor” as often the best sport of the day may be experienced during this shorter period.

Mickey Finn streamer

Incidentally Knight who was a successful and well known angler produced a now very well known American streamer fly which he named “Mickey Finn”. It has enjoyed great success and has been produced commercially for many decades. Orvis Fly Patterns catalogue describe the materials to produce the Mickey Finn as:
Hook - Mustad 9575 or Mustad 3665A.
Size - 6 to 12.
Thread - Black 6 / 0 waxed.
Tag - Red monochord to secure end of Mylar piping body.
Body - Fine silver Mylar piping.
Wing - Yellow Bucktail over red Bucktail over yellow Bucktail sparsely tied.

Back to the tables. If climatic conditions are poor, perhaps a falling barometer or when air or water temperatures are abnormal or during electrical storms, then solunar tables should not be expected to be accurate.

The solunar tables which apply to hunting times as well as fishing do not guarantee success however they do predict times when fish, gamebirds and game animals are likely to be active, thereby increasing the opportunities for hunters and anglers to be successful.

Cobles Moon theory

Similarly there is Cobles Moon theory. Grady Coble believed that fish strike best fishing on days preceded by “the dark of the moon” and strike least “on the light of the moon”. The theory being that when there is “a dark of the moon” the fish cannot see to feed during the hours of darkness and therefore feed most consistently during the day. Conversely on “the light of the moon” the fish can see to feed at night and as a result because of their nocturnal feeding they are not so active during the day. Sounds sensible however I’m sure we can all remember times where the opposite has occurred.

Theories and tables can be an interesting addition to the outdoors persons’ knowledge however one should not use them as an excuse for not going out. Not venturing out because the predicted activity time for fish falls outside of the time you have planned to be out fishing is a nonsense. You will still catch fish outside these times. The predatory trout is not going to pass up an appetising food item should the opportunity arise.

This “woolly thinking” reminds me of the time when I first used a “fish finder” in my boat. This electronic box was going to catch me more fish than I could ever want, the instructions said so. For the next few weeks I spent more time pushing buttons and looking at the screen than I did concentrating on known fish holding areas and fishing technique. If I didn’t see fish icons waltzing across the screen then I was quite sure I wasn’t going to catch a fish. It took a while but I soon found out that I could catch fish when the screen was a blank and when the screen looked like an aquarium, often nothing would happen. Today I use the device solely for water depth information, and don’t concern myself with fish icons or the lack of them.

Perhaps as one grows older he or she appreciates more, being able to get out and hunt or fish and if times of good harvest coincide with the time you’re in the field or stream, then that’s a bonus. Still, I’ll keep the tables handy, just in case.

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish and Game Officer

The weekend provided some opportunity for anglers however there would have been few fish caught on the Sunday with “Norwesters” reaching gale force early in the day. The southerly change arrived in the late evening but too late for most day trippers in the valley.

Ground conditions are dry and water levels in trout streams continue to fall.
Mid week, a brief hail storm and accompanying rain failed to register on the rain gauge however the frost which followed probably annoyed a lot of gardeners. Last night a short rain event delivered a few millimetres which appears to have varied across the region from 5 to about 10mm.

The smaller waters are still providing excellent bags to the fly fisher, mostly rainbow trout and at higher altitudes a good proportion of these still need some spawning recovery time. Reliable salmon are migrating into the Rangitata and I’m reliably informed that there have been a couple caught at the Opihi River. No salmon news for the Waitaki as yet.

Tomorrow is the first Saturday of December so the upper Ahuriri River valley will be a busy place as the season opens. The River is at a very fishable 18 cumecs and should fish well.

I was invited to accompany my Idahoan friends, who are residents of the Haka Valley for 6 months of every year, for a spell of boat fishing. Now Tom’s boat I love. It's not a sleek, long prow, fibreglass speed machine with a racy metal flake paintwork, it is purely and simply a fishing platform, boat shaped of course. I would describe it as a aluminium double ender float boat with modifications. These vessels, pointed at both ends and with considerable lift at the stern and bow are designed to fish from while drifting and rowing rivers. With minimal draught its flat hull will sweep harmlessly over shallows and while negotiating broken water the rise in bow and stern keeps the boat dry and allows progress in either direction while rowing, making it very manoeuvrable, providing the man on the “sticks” knows what he’s doing. This design of boat is not commonly found on New Zealand’s waters but it performs amazingly well. Near the stern is a well in which is mounted a four stroke Mercury outboard motor, easy start, economical and quiet, and an essential addition when boating lakes for getting from “A” to “B”.

What’s so special about this boat? It’s functional. Before launching the oars and rowlocks are fitted, laid along the gunwales with the blades clipped to holders out of the way but instantly available if required. The anchor which has its special place while on the road hangs astern and can be raised or lowered by the boat’s captain without him leaving his seat. Sitting in the captain’s or helmsman’s seat (as an invited guest one could be a helmsman but never a captain) one can start and operate the motor, drop anchor, row, fish and utilise the long handled landing net without leaving his seat. The net has a fish friendly flat synthetic “net” with very little depth. I looked at it thinking this would not envelope the fish as my deep knotted net does however it works well and I haven’t seen a fish lost from it yet, The mid section has 2 padded folding seats and there is a large flat area in the bow at gunwale height from which you can sit or stand to spot fish and cast from.

Dry storage is under the seats. Lifting the centre seats gains access to a fish bin and oodles of storage space. Under and either side of the captains seat is storage, to port one is a large tackle box well stocked with appetising fish catchers. Mounted amidships is a sounder which fits topside and is in view and arms reach of the officer in command. The entire interior is covered in comfortable sound absorbing boat carpet. Another big plus is with hull being flat and with lift at each end one the craft can be pulled right to the waterline and you can board and disembark without getting your feet wet You could wear your slippers if you felt so inclined. Everything about this craft is flat, comfortable and angler friendly.

Tom and Lorraine had not fished the Ahuriri Arm of Benmore and 40 minutes from home the boat was in the water, which demonstrated another one of its many good points, it trailers well, off and on.

A disciple of the solunar calendar Tom had informed me the tables showed a “major” early in the morning and a “minor” after lunch. I’ve written about these before and while just an apprentice when it comes to utilising the solunar times I prefer to be active during the majors rather than the minors as the span of activity for hunting or fishing is longer. However the minor fitted around other activities so on the spur of the moment the decision was made. We’re going!

With still some time to go we trolled from Sailors Cutting to the mouth of the Otamatapaio River. The sun was high, the lake still and visibility was crystal for about 3 metres. Not the most promising conditions for trolling some of Lauri Rapala’s life-like imitations. No fish activity but wonderful boating weather. Across to the Ben Omar side of the lake a shading weeping willow indicated the ideal place to consume roast turkey sandwiches helped down by a rather “moorish” bottle of red. Lunch over, as we approached the Ahuriri River delta the wind which had been quietly rising in velocity got to about the hat jamming stage. There were 2 other boats in the area and as the tables predicted I saw the occupants dealing with fish bouncing around their respective boats. A fat “rainbow” leapt to the surface attached firmly to Tom’s Rapala. After a series of aerobatics it was reverently placed in the fish bin a perfect example of a Benmore “rainbow”. Shortly after a small salmon joined the trout in the bin. At this stage spinning gear was changed for fly rods, intermediate lines and sinuous fur flies. A product from Tom’s fly tying vice they are proven fish catchers and ideal for drifting over shallows too shallow for spinning gear. Motoring up into the wind and drifting and twitching the fur flies in less than metre of water resulted in me landing a long but lean rainbow and the captain’s rig being attacked by a fish unseen. As is its way, the "norwester" increased and all other boats, now three, headed for shelter. The active time period for trout had been as predicted was “right on the button”. With a foaming following “sea” we surfed our way down the lake. Lorraine’s rod bucked wildly and line peeled from the spool. With the arbour becoming visible there was some concern that whatever was on the other end was going to escape towing a sizeable length of monofilament. The advantage of a pointed stern boat was demonstrated as a flick of the lever into reverse and we were punching into the waves with minimal splash. Regaining considerable line the fish leapt into the air and as one we yelled “It’s a salmon!” This speedy “chrome plated” torpedo was one of the biggest and best I’ve seen. Despite the large waves that rolled past, our vessel was unbelievably stable and after a couple of tense moments the fish was successfully scooped from the foaming waves . A picture perfect specimen, perhaps 1.6 kg, not a scale out of place and we agreed that it certainly was the most handsome of all the catch. We’d had a good bag and we stashed rods and surged our way to the cutting.

Spurred on by the sing of the reel and leaping fish I ventured out with 2 visitors for a quick fish on Lake Waitaki yesterday. With solunar tables times tucked away in my memory bank I bravely said after a short time stretching lines with various shallow diving “Rapalas”, to steel themselves as we were about to boat through an FPZ, (fish producing zone). Call it good luck or management within 30 seconds the first fish was on and within an hour and half in a lake which was becoming uncomfortable due to increasing winds and spray dousing the unfortunate sitting up front, we hooked 8 fish landed 4, 2 browns, 1 rainbow and a small salmon. My visitors were enthusiastic about their experience and especially adventurous with the dimensions of those that got away. We might sneak in another trip today which will depend on the weather, and the tables of course.

Solunar tables certainly work; and so do “Rapalas”!

Tight lines.

Graeme Hughes, Fish and Game Officer

With no rain and warm weather, river flows, not surprisingly, are decreasing excepting for the Ahuriri and the Rangitata which are on the rise, up 10 and 9 cumecs respectively. I guess this is from snow melt along the main divide. Other snow fed rivers of the region will be similarly affected. With the wind now blowing briskly, norwest showers are predicted today and on Saturday we could expect a change in river flows to follow early next week.

Perhaps the temperatures were too high for continual catching of trout throughout the weekend. The sunburned anglers I spoke to had on average at least 2 fish to show for their efforts, but very few could claim to have caught more. From some comments I received there were a lot of trout following and then refusing the lures as the boat or the angler was spotted.

Staff in Temuka tell me that smelt, (silveries) have appeared in number at river mouths and on their arrival at the Orari River the lagoon was described as “being black with them”. This seasonal food source will attract trout however “too much of a good thing” will make foraging trout fussy and often difficult to catch.

Salmon activity has not featured this week. In the valley, while the lakes were churned up by boats and water toys, a result of a long weekend for some and the first taste of summer, the lake fishery did not produce as it has on previous weekends. The Haka and Maerewhenua Rivers are still fishing well.

The arrival of summer weather caught most of us by surprise. A complete change of daily apparel is now required. With high 20’s to low 30’s it takes a few days to adjust.
Adjusting to the climate when fishing is often ignored, however as trout are a cold water species, with the onset of extended warm and dry periods, fish feeding times and locations most often change.

In larger rivers, fishing is less affected and there is nothing better than a sun drenched day to encourage a mayfly hatch. Most tributaries streams could not support the large number of mature fish which arrive there to spawn, and a proportion of these will return to their place of origin soon after ova deposition Low levels brought about by reduced inflows and irrigation demand, will induce some of those that remain to migrate downstream to cooler and safer habitat of a larger river or lake and is common in Waitaki River tributaries. The resident trout population in their reduced habitat become very aware of their “patch” and to catch them one has to be doubly careful.

As a large percentage of lake fishers use boats which today are commonly equipped with “fish finders” if they know what they’re doing fishing can become quite clinical. The lures used will fish at a certain depth when trolled at an appropriate speed and by using a diving plug which will “swim” at a set depth, (the manufacturer usually provides this important information on the pack in which it is sold), by manoeuvring his boat around the shoreline at the contour which matches the working depth of the plug, (slightly deeper will prevent continual collision with weed beds) the chances of intercepting bottom dwelling lake trout are much greater. However, if the weather is too hot, and there will be many experts who will check water temperature, many sounder transducers will automatically record this on screen, trout will move to deeper water and will only be found along lake margins during the darkness hours or at first light in the morning.

Having towed a variety of fish catching devices around several Otago and Canterbury lakes, in my experience as the daylight increases and temperature of lake edge waters increase, the catch rate slows and the fish caught usually, not always , but usually, are smaller.

I have always regarded trolling as a very social occasion, a chance to introduce a novice to fishing, a way to have a “catch up” with friends, or if you’re into boats and boating, cruising, taking in the sights and sounds and catching fish at the same time. You can eat, drink whistle or sing and still catch fish, an interesting and relaxing way to catch trout...

by Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game Officer

Any reports I have heard on trout fishing in the region have all been good, everyone appears to be catching trout. Obviously the accounts are mostly at my end of the region, the Waitaki Valley, however the rivers to the north are also providing “heaps of fish!”

Colleague Hamish Stevens reports that 9 salmon have been caught in the Rangitata River since last week’s report, up to 11kg in weight. He also tells me that the whitebait catch has picked as has his personal success. It can’t be too successful however as he hasn’t offered me as much as a pattie! Sea run “browns” are not reported to be in huge numbers , in fact I’m told they are becoming hard to catch, perhaps they are scoring more whitebait than Hamish.

During a Honorary Rangers training weekend here in Kurow, the attendees were allowed to knock off at 5pm and go fishing. With over 40 rangers in the camp I was rather economical on detail regarding exact locations and favoured methods, however, despite me trying to conserve local fish stocks they soon had fish on the bank from the Waitaki, the Haka and from the hydro lakes. The Waitaki River produced a promising caddis “hatch’ on Saturday evening, and, as is often the way when “visitors” fish the caddis on the Waitaki they lose most of their fish. The tippets they used when last fishing a nymph or dry fly during daylight hours are far too light. Use 8 or 10 lb test or lose fish. There is nothing subdued or gentle when a Waitaki trout slashes at a large caddis swimming sub surface or resting on the surface. I think almost all the catch was returned to the water, so although my surrounds are not depleted of fish, those that remain will be a little wiser.

Incidentally, the rangers on route to Kurow had areas to check. South Canterbury officers checked waters to the north and Otago rangers joined the CSI forces checking waters further south. Just on 200 interviews were recorded, 3 offence notices were issued for fishing without a licence and a couple of notices issued for failing to produce a licence on demand. That’s not too bad!

With a thunder storm and a few showers occurring during the week, some waters received a slight increase in flow however all rivers at this time are clear and fishable. Didymo was located in the Hakataramea River during the weekend. The find is not surprising, the length of time it took to get into the Haka is. The largest tributary of the Waitaki, well fished and with migrations of spawning fish moving in and out during the spawning period it was assumed that it too would become infected. I was almost fooled into thinking that like some spring fed streams didymo would find the water chemistry of the Haka uninhabitable, but unfortunately not'

The Waitaki River viewed from the Waitaki twin bridges is quite a spectacle. I recall last summer suggesting that when next you cross the Waitaki River, take time to admire the water, the stoney bed, the dappled patterns and changing light because it will soon be gone . It has. A thick, brown carpet of didymo is flourishing, great mats of it are floating downstream as with the higher flow in the river (398 cumecs) it is being torn from the substrate. The clean areas of stones that remain are only temporary, and they will be quickly colonised by didymo cells again and so the process will be repeated. At the moment the riverbed looks quite unappealing, we have a thick carpet interspersed with bare patches and where the flow is less, long heavy tendrils which still remain undulate in the current. Even the non fisher people are appalled by the rapid change to the appearance of their river.

On a brighter note, 120,000 chinook salmon have just been released, 80,000 into Lake Benmore and 40,000 into Lake Opuha. The salmon from Sanfords Waitaki Hatchery were gifted to the Central South Island Region and released on the 14th and 15th of this month. The salmon weigh about 6 grams (about 80 mm long) and while they are small and vulnerable to predation the survivors will provide anglers in seasons to come with another species to catch , a fish which is usually much easier to catch compared to trout and a great favourite with the youngsters. Thanks to the hatchery staff who provided their large tanker and their time to transport the salmon, for obtaining the necessary authority to transport and release the fish, and thanks also to Biosecurity New Zealand for promptly processing the requests with regard to the containment of didymo .

I am aware that a proportion of anglers regard lake populations of salmon to be somewhat inferior to trout. They tend to be “boaties” trolling for trout and I guess it is because of the salmon’s size, usually small, and their performance on the end of a line, not so frenetic when compared to a feisty “rainbow”. In Lake Opuha however, salmon released there attained a weight of over 2.5 kg! Now that’s a whole lot of fish and well above the average weight of lake dwelling trout of either species. Chinook salmon appear to be quite gullible when confronted with a moving spin bait or wobbler. This “flaw” in their make up makes them easier to catch and often on a day when the trout may be more fastidious or due to other unknowns not on their feed a Chinook salmon will prevent the angler returning home “fishless”. Salmon appear to be quite gregarious and travel in small groups. This can result in a multiple “hook up” as trolled lures from a boat pass through a school of salmon. Two or three fish attached on one boat will create considerable excitement, even panic, as anglers jostle for position, lines cross, and there are no free hands to assist with a landing net. This is even more spectacular if the wind is up, the lake is rough and the boat is steadily drifting towards an unfriendly looking beach. But at the end of the day, fish landed or not, the experience is the high point of the fishing trip and will be told time and time again.

As a field officer for North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society I spent every opening weekend for 10 years on Lake Coleridge. Here the self perpetuating stock of land locked chinook salmon provide the bulk of the anglers catch. It was a common practice (and a lasting memory of the good old days) to clean the salmon and place them in the many matagouri bushes to dry which in the ever present “nor wester” did not take long. As the day warmed and the wind increased, anglers on foot and in boats returned to the Ryton River campsites their catch placed out to dry. The matagouri bush at your campsite so adorned, advertised your skills and ability as an angler, that prickly bush became a status symbol. On a good weekend the matagouri bushes which surrounded caravans and canvas 9 X 9 tents were festooned with drying salmon. After an early start relaxation was the order of the day, at least until evening when the wind would usually drop away. In tents, caravans or lying amongst the tussock happy anglers admired their catch. With their opened half gallon jars making them even happier, the days events were retold and then told again until many a weary listener lapsed into “the land of nod”.

Canterbury show weekend has seen many visitors in the valley and with a good weather forecast the regions fishery will get quite a shake up. Perhaps the first Waitaki salmon will be landed.

Tight lines.

by Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game Officer

Unlike the October opening weather conditions for the high country opening were in most places ideal and as a result reports indicate an excellent catch rate.

Colleague Hamish Stevens ranged a rather busy Tekapo River where he checked 44 anglers. Although the catch rate was not as high as last year, those who in November 2006 had caught 40 trout for the day this year had only achieved half that total. Still in most peoples’ opinion 20 fish is a good day.

The trout taken were all in great condition and the those kept for the pan were found to be well fed with invertebrate larvae; caddis, free living and cased, and mayflies. Several had consumed significant amounts of the algae didymo. Unfortunately didymo has flourished in the Tekapo with the lower reaches, below the steel bridge being well covered. Above this point the algae is much less with the upper limit of didymo at about the confluence of the Maryburn.

The Ahuriri River running discoloured and at about 32 cumecs at my last report had cleared by Saturday and conditions were described as clear and fishable. An Oamaru team, Ahuriri opening day regulars, parked at the main road bridge as per usual. By 6.30 am one angler had caught his bag limit without moving from the first pool. After an early start he suggested that they head for home, he could back to bed by 7.30! His request was ignored. By mid afternoon most anglers had at least caught the bag limit, the “top gun” amongst one Oamaru group had caught 19. The catch comprised of mainly mature rainbow trout recovering after spawning, not surprisingly, brown trout condition factors were high although the species were not numerous.

The Maerewhenua River was, as usual, popular with anglers and post spawning rainbows, several in each pool, made up the bulk of the catch, however several “bright” maiden fish were also landed. As with most waters, brown trout were keeping their heads down.

On the Hakataramea River  a regular opening day visitor from the Timaru district had what could only be described as phenomenal weekend, he and one other landed 91 trout, 90 rainbows and one brown. Apart from a few caught very high in the catchment they were reported to be “in great nick”, the single brown trout landed described as “perfect”. The water they fished had to be shared with other anglers however despite running into others, by walking a little further they fished areas which had been rested and still picked up this spectacular tally.

Whilst on their bank side wanderings they saw a young fellow fishing ahead of them, casting woefully with a fly rod. As they drew abreast of him they noted that the rod was equipped with a fixed spool spinning reel not your standard fly reel. Now that’s OK. The regulations do not stipulate the type of reel which may be used. Quite how you would successfully use one for fly casting is not known, probably not very well. However their suspicions were further aroused when the angler ‘s line became entangled in a nearby willow and from the line a hook baited with a worm was spotted. Having walked a considerable distance only to find someone “on the spot” is bad enough, to find the angler blatantly bait fishing in “fly fishing only” waters would be most displeasing! The offending angler received some good advice, albeit not very politely, which I’m lead to believe he fully understood and complied with immediately.

The topic of fishing with natural bait will in most venues where anglers congregate create considerable debate. A debate which has continued for decades and will continue to do so for many more. There appears to be only 2 views on the subject. Those who want it banned completely and those who consider it a legitimate method for catching fish. The bait fishers say that statistics confirm that if you want to conserve fish stocks. ban fly fishing because fly fishers account for the most fish.
Natural bait fishers rightly point out that they pay the same price for a fishing licence as everyone else yet they are restricted to a few lakes and a few larger rivers or the lower reaches of some rivers. The fly fisher, who can fish all waters, say “We are not stopping you fishing, we are only restricting the way you fish. You too can fish with a fly rod and fly like anyone else”.

Somewhere in between, spin fishers, who perhaps have progressed from natural bait, join with the bait casters as they too are restricted to other than “Fly fishing only” waters.

Perhaps the greatest criticism of bait fishing is that natural baits such as earth worm are often “inhaled” by the trout and the hook becomes deeply imbedded in the throat or stomach of the fish. In most cases removal of the hook is not possible or damage inflicted during removal results in mortalities after release.

There is no doubt that live natural baits are great fish catchers, the success rate is even greater if the angler actually uses his bait as a fly fisher would present his fly or nymph. With a minimum of weight , perhaps a few split shot, sufficient to lob their bait to either to a fish observed feeding or by casting into a natural feeding lane where the currents deliver food items to the trout.

The most common method however is “still fishing”. A bait is cast into still or slow moving water and anchored to the bottom with a lead sinker. The rod is propped up and any movement of the bait is signalled by activity of the rod tip. The bait is eventually consumed by a passing trout, the fish moves off only to become attached with the hidden hook. The escape attempts are quite obvious through the action of the rod and the line is retrieved. This method results in deep hooking and tissue damage. Catch and release is not an option when “still fishing”.

In 1989, I was boat fishing with two anglers aboard. Towing a variety of spinners and body baits around the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore, 3 hours trolling had not produced a fish.

At about midday, food sounded a good idea and an excuse to cease fishing when there was “nothing doing”. It was suggested that as “boaties” were taking ‘truck loads” of fish from off the mouth of the Ahuriri River on worms we should have brought some with us. Boaties using worm baits in this location had created a number of complaints, not about the number of fish being caught, which was sizeable, but the large number of undersized fish that died after being returned to the water.

The lack of activity and no fish in the bin soon had us kicking over stones and logs along the nearest shore line. With a handful of earth worms aboard I motored out to the river mouth. This would have be a “scientific experiment”. None of us had impaled a worm on a hook for many years , since our children had grown up at least. We had difficulty in locating a suitable bait hook amongst the many tackle boxes we carried on board. After throwing over an anchor, although I had the bacon and egg pie ready, I had not removed the vacuum flask stoppers and there were already 2 fish in the boat! We fished our “lunch hour”, about 120 minutes, and landed 28 trout, brown and rainbow. 7 fish were less than 25 cm and returned to the water with an unknown but doubtful survival rate, brought about by circling Black-backed gulls. The remainder were 1.0 kg up to about 1.8 kg. The lunchtime exercise equated to a catch rate of 4.5 fish per hour, or one fish every 13 minutes. The fish catching ability of the “Garden fly”, despite our lack of practice, had worked very, very well. Prior to this outing I had been sceptical about the accuracy of anglers reports, about the large numbers of fish being removed and the numbers of dead fish reported. From the “lunch hour experiment” it became quite evident that the reports had substance.

“Expert Anglers” using fly usually record the highest catch rate in angler surveys. At that time, the most recent survey of anglers fishing the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore showed that fly casters caught 0.84 fish per hour.

(As a result of angler information, to prevent the high mortalities of released under sized trout and to promote a better sharing of the resource, regulations prohibiting bait fishing from moored vessels was introduced the following season.)

My father, an experienced and successful angler was no purist when it came to fishing techniques and after considering all the variables, water colour, weather, habitat and species, he would use the method which he considered most likely to succeed at that time. If that meant using live bullies, or earth worms, then he had no hesitation in doing so. He believed that fishing a dry fly when fish were bottom feeding, because fishing a dry fly was “the done thing”, to be an utter nonsense. As a youngster I recall many times enviously admiring his catch as it spilled from the water proof liner of his canvas shoulder bag into the washhouse tub, results of the humble earth worm or perhaps a live bully. There is no question in the hands of an experienced operator natural live baits will succeed every time.

The rivers and lakes are all clear and fishable, river flows are gradually receding and all volumes are down compared with last weekend. The Ahururi is down from 32 cumecs to 21, Hakataramea down from 3,6 to 2.4, Maerewhenua 1.1 to 0.92, Kakanui, 1.5 to 1.1, Waitaki should run at a level similar to the last few weekends at about the 200 cumecs. To the north the Opihi has dropped to 7.7 from 9 cumecs and the Rangitata River is down from 112 to 73.3 cumecs.

The Rangitata River has provided the first sea run salmon with 2 taken on the weekend and one earlier in the week. Caught “up river”, a delightfully vague location, the latter two weighed 18 and 19 lbs.

Tight lines.

by Graeme Hughes, Fish & Game Officer

With the first month of the recognised fishing season over, for anglers it could only be described as a shocker! Norwesters have blasted the valley, more rain fell during the first month of spring than the entire winter and fresh snow painted the tops on several occasions. It was cold, (I had to cut another load of wood to keep the log fire burning which is not normal for October). It was wet and it was windy. During the last week however, although the wind continued the temperature has rocketed into the mid 20’s. Only remnants of the last snowfall remain and it does appear as if warmer angler friendly weather has arrived. As a consequence of the conditions most rivers have received several “spring cleans” which is good for the fish but the higher flows will require anglers to work just a tad harder to locate their trout this weekend.

With the high country opening on Saturday 3rd (not the 4th as printed in the South Island Sports Fishing Regulations), many anglers will be looking west with high hopes of sun drenched days, clear water an actively feeding trout. While the weather may hold and fish may be feeding it is doubtful if any angler will see them. Most waters draining the main divide have been affected by the norwest conditions, rain and snow melt. The Ahuriri River is running high at 32 cumecs, discoloured but fishable. While fly fishing may not be the most successful method this weekend, spinning will account for a number of strike happy “rainbows”. The Hopkins and Dobson rivers are even more turbid however all are receding and by the time you get back to work conditions will be about right. The Tekapo flow regime doesn’t change much unless Meridian Energy Ltd releases excess water from Lake Tekapo but I guess an increased flow in the Forks River will be adding a bit more than usual however this should have no effect on water clarity. Two days ago a colleague reported the Tekapo to be “full”. The didymo is bad below the steel bridge but above here growths are reported to be minmal. If you fished the Hakataramea last opening when it was flowing at 2.0 cumecs, expect a bit more water as today it is flowing at 3.6. The Maerewhenua River is 1.1 cumecs whereas last years opening day anglers fished it at 2.4. The Kakanui is way down at 1.5 cumecs

The magic of opening weekend consumes many anglers for days sometimes weeks and the preparation and anticipation is all part of this annual event. Today, the first of October means little due to many lakes being open all year and several rivers having a winter season in their lower reaches. The first Saturday in November however remains the “real” opening. Opening days have brought sportsman together for years. For many it is a family tradition which has continued for several generations. Meeting at a location same time every year, rain hail or shine. The catching of fish is an important part of the tradition but if it doesn’t happen the weekend, it can be longer, is always successful.

An opening day story

As a Christchurch schoolboy and a fanatical angler, opening day was the most important day of the year, well birthdays and Christmas came close. I found school days interfered with my all consuming passion, catching fish. Opening day, as I recall, more often than not, inconveniently fell on a week day. Undeterred and after a very early breakfast of two “Weetbix” soggy in warm milk , on my bike with spokes just a blur, I would head off to the Avon River or the smaller Waiarapa Stream which flowed through the suburbs near the city centre. Fortunately they flowed not too far from Heaton Intermediate school, which was kind of handy.

The regulations stipulated only a single hook could be used in these waters which resulted in casting a feathered lure, usually one from my father’s voluminous leather bound “fly book” which had several felt pages loaded with, colourful creations. Dorothy, Mrs Simpson, Red Shadow and a pattern he had especially tied for him, a “Whoozit”, I remember best. Many other patterns were impaled in the pages of the “book” and when an opportunity arose I would carefully extract and admire the fly tier’s creations, replacing them carefully so as the soft hackles lay true.
Not having advanced to a fly rod my lure was rigged with a barrel lead and cast from my tubular steel spinning rod with “Mitchell Cap” reel. The spool was loaded with “nylon” of a diameter considered by my father to be robust enough to withstand the inevitable almighty yank after a misdirected cast into a willow or the ever present submerged hazard. The two suburban waters were either “wadeable” or were “crossable” due to the many houses with their own private bridges, so getting ones gear back was often feasible. Unfortunately there were several “likely lads” that also fished these same waters. They were not so mild mannered as the writer and because of their tom foolery, the mere sight of a kid with a fishing rod walking along the riverbank had some adjacent home owners bellowing from their well tended gardens, insisting that I “bugger off”. These directions were often reinforced with threats of calling the police. One soon got to know where you could or could not go.

My success rate was abysmal. The brown trout in the Avon River as from about the 2nd of October, became the spookiest fish around. The reason for that being the clear water and the artificial baits used. The trout were not large, perhaps a good one would measure 30 cm, but they were curious and would inspect and follow the lure until they spotted a movement on the bank. The less scrupulous soon worked out that if the fish wouldn’t take the lure then the lure must take the fish. Purposely foul hooking a trout became an acceptable way to take fish back then. Some kids were damned good at it. Any lure or bait attached below a weight had to be on a trace no shorter than “15 inches”. Of course this was far too long to be a successful stroke hauler. The successful, albeit illegal angler, used a barrel lead heavy enough to stay on the bottom, a short trace of about 20cm to which was tied a feathered lure, usually a light coloured pattern such as a Grey Ghost. This enabled the stroke hauler to watch lures progress as it swung downstream towards the target, a trout holding mid stream. At the right moment, with the lead and the lure in the correct position on the far side of the trout, with rod tip held low, a savage, scything swing often had the fish impaled. It was very rapidly, unceremoniously winched ashore. I have to say, after watching it done so often I had to try it. It was more difficult than it looked and admit to once being successful. After inspecting the tear on the unfortunate fish I brought home, a suspicious father threatened using his shoe on my posterior and put paid to any further venture which involved taking fish other than by hooking them fair and square in the mouth!

Not to be out done by nervous trout targeted every weekend by wayward youths fishing Grey Ghosts, taking a leaf from my fathers book, a true Canterbury night fisher I visited the Waiarapa Stream at night. The advantages became clear at once. The fish that hit my lures certainly were not the “little shavers” I was seeing during the daylight hours. Not only were the fish bigger and voracious, there were no grumpy house holders chasing you off. There were disadvantages. Poor light, narrow water ways and lots of trees resulted in a lot of lost gear. Such were my losses on one particular night that amongst my meagre collection of tackle not one single hook lure or spinner remained. What to do? A copper bladed ‘Veltic” spinner remained. I had not changed the treble hook for a single, well who was going to know? At least I was attempting to catch fish fairly, not foul hooking , and after all the single hook regulation was obviously intended to prevent kids stroke hauling You can’t stroke haul at night, you can’t see the fish!. Having convinced myself I was doing nothing wrong I had just started to work the dark waters with my spinner oblivious to the traffic whizzing by, concentrating , ready for the next hit. One vehicle didn’t whiz by . It stopped and at very tall, lean figure emerged and walked towards me. What was I up to? I told him the obvious He then introduced himself. I’m a ranger for the Acclimatisation Society. Why was I fishing in the dark? I told him why. I just knew he thought because it was dark I was up to no good. He asked if I had a fishing licence. I immediately produced it. I could guess what was coming next. He spotted the spinner. I explained my last single hook spinner was somewhere in the tree opposite. In the back of my mind fines for fishing illegally raced back and forth. How much was this going to cost? What was my dad going to say? He suggested that as I had no single hooks left it would be better to go home as I was fishing illegally.

I don’t recall night fishing there or ever fishing the Waiarapa Stream again, full stop. Fanaticism for fishing faded. The inevitable happened, I like many other young male anglers discovered girls, motor cars and bottle stores.

Several years later as a new employee of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society I was introduced to one of the rangers on the staff . a very tall, lean man. I recognised him immediately, the very man who interviewed me on Waiarapa Terrace on the banks of the Waiarapa Stream all those years ago. Was he going to “spill the beans”, the terrible tale of poaching trout at night? Was my new career over before it had even started? Nothing was said. Much, much later, perhaps a year later, I broached the subject, my first brush with the law.

He couldn’t remember the occasion at all! Not a thing! This surprised me immensely. Every little detail was, and still is, crystal clear to me.

Tight Lines.

The Timaru Herald, Friday, 26 October 2007

For 10-year-old Alisdair Eddie of Temuka, fishing is a family adventure. His grandfather is a gamekeeper on a Scottish estate, and catching fish is catching on for Alisdair, who this week landed two trout, the largest of which was 2.5lbs...Read more

The Timaru Herald, Friday, 26 October 2007

Labour Weekend was not ideal for anglers, with high winds making casting impossible on small streams. Didymo killed much of the angling experience for those who ventured to the Waitaki River, and windblown silt and sand on exposed waters meant reels had to be stripped and regreased.

In the main we must await settled weather or the opening of the high country lakes on November 3 to enjoy better sport.

Interest in Lake Benmore will no doubt increase when the full story about a Dunedin 16 year-old is revealed. I ran into his uncle in Dunedin yesterday and understand the young angler literally forced his family to take him to Lake Benmore. They hardly got out of the caravan as the winds raged, but the young angler went spin fishing morning and night. At about midnight he prepared to give up but had a last cast. His 20 pound brown trout on six pound line provided an exhausting fight, and his relatives now expect to be hounded to take him fishing every weekend.

For others, the shallows along the south-west edge of Lake Waitaki have been as productive as anywhere to date.

While the wind continues, lakes offer the best chance for trout anglers. The wind disturbs the water surface and fish cruising close to shore are less likely to see anglers and be spooked.