The Branch, the Leatham and Argyle Pond (Lake Argyle) Fishing

The Branch River and the Leatham River are attractive rivers but with low fish numbers where spinning is more productive than fly fishing. Lake Arglye (also known as Argyle Pond), into which the Branch and Leatham rivers flow, holds more but smaller fish.

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Fish type	Brown trout
Location	40 minutes from Blenheim 40 minutes from St Arnaud.
Situation	The Branch and the Leatham flow into Lake Argyle which holds a number of fish. The Leatham and the Branch are attractive rivers to fish but have an unstable bed that makes for poor trout habitat. Consequently have low fish stock numbers.
Maps	Branch and Leatham River maps: Access map Access map with topography Argyle Pond maps: Access map Access map with topography LINZ topographic maps: 1:50,000 (260 series)
Check conditions	View graphs at the Marlborough District Council website of recent: - Branch river flow - Branch rainfall View MetService weather forecast for Blenheim
F&G pamphlet	Wairau River access pamphlet >>>
Description	Argyle Pond The lake can be fished from the shore or a boat. The canals that are part of this system around Argyle Pond can be fished with either fly or spinner though, due to the type of water, spinning is more popular and so more productive. The canal near the power station at the Lake Argyll outlet has steep banks making it difficult to fish. Below this, towards the Wairau, there are some open and safe areas. Fish numbers and size In Lake Argyle and the canals around the hydro canals, numbers are high with fish mostly in the 1-3lb range. In the river systems that feed into the lake the trout are bigger but fewer. Access Turn off State Highway 63, on to roads that run alongside the canals and lake. See the access map.
The Leatham and Branch River	The Leatham and Branch River which fed into the lake also hold fish but the numbers are not high. Spinning is the most popular method though fly fishing is also effective. Access Turn off State Highway 63, on to the road that runs alongside the lower Branch and the lower Leatham. Access to the upper reaches involves some walking and requires permission: for access to the upper Leatham, seek permission from Mr and Mrs Ryan of Leatham Station for access to the upper Branch please make enquiries to the Department of Conservation, Blemheim (03) 572 9100. See the access map.
Recommended lures	Nymphs: Heavy weighted nymphs such as Gold Bead, Hares Ear or Hare and Copper in sizes around 12 - 14 work best. Dry flies: The faster water of the canals is best suited to a larger bushy fly such as a Royal Wulff, Humpy or Kakahi Queen. Wet flies: Larger flies such as Mrs Simpson, Hamill's Killer or Red Setter work well. Spinners: Bright red and gold Veltics or Mepps can be effective in the lake or associated canals.
Regulations (1)
Applicable to	Argyle Pond and lower hydro canals downstream to its confluence with the Wairau River
Region	Nelson Marlborough >>>
Season	All year
Methods	Fly, spinner and bait
Bag limit	2
Size limit (cm)	No size limit
Regulations (2)
Applicable to:	Branch River
Region	Nelson Marlborough >>>
Season	1 October - 30 April
Methods	Artificial fly, spinner
Bag limit	2 with only one fish exceeding 500mm in length
Size limit	No minimum size
Regulations (3)
Applicable to:	Leatham River
Region	Nelson Marlborough >>>
Season	1 October - 30 April
Methods	Artificial fly, spinner
Bag limit	2 of which only 1 may exceed 500mm
Size limit	No minimum size

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