North Canterbury Fish & Game News and Reports

A good place to get an update from the experts and those "on the river" as to what is happening around the North Canterbury area >>>

Latest fishing news: January 2012

Fish & Game river report: Phone 03-366 2986 between 1 October and 30 April.

Weekly email report: Register with Fish & Game Canterbury to have a report emailed to you each week between December and March (or see below).

With thanks to Steve Terry of North Canterbury Fish & Game

By all accounts fishing has been reasonably good throughout the region over the last week. Last weekend saw 38 salmon taken at the mouth of the Hurunui River with four or five taken each day since. This is pleasing to hear as reports have been relatively quite until now and it looks like the salmon have finally turned up in reasonable numbers. Reports have been coming in that good numbers of salmon are being caught throughout the Rakaia River, with the lower Rakaia also fishing well for sea-run trout.

Last Sunday saw one Rakaia angler land two salmon in four casts, weighing 20 and 14 pounds, with a number of other anglers reporting limit bags caught and they seem to be in great condition. The surf, gut and estuary have fished consistently well over the last ten days and with a long weekend ahead, good river conditions and a favourable weather forecast, I am sure there will be reports of reasonable numbers taken form all reaches of the river.

The Waimakariri has also seen a few salmon taken each day at both the mouth and at McIntosh’s Rocks and should continue to improve over the next two months as it traditionally does. As usual, we have heard very little from the Waiau River anglers but with reports of salmon in most of the east coast rivers at present and the neighbouring Hurunui being the standout river, I imagine the Waiau will be fishing just as well, if not better.

Salmon anglers wishing to enter the Rakaia River Salmon Fishing Competition, please note that early bird entries close today and entries are starting to fill up, with the final day to enter the 17th February if not before then.

The Groynes Fishing Lakes continue to fish well with releases of salmon every three weeks into each of the ponds right through until April.

With thanks to Emily Arthur of North Canterbury Fish & Game

Fishing conditions have been great over the last week. Reports are in that the Rakaia is fishing well for salmon in the lower reaches between the SH Bridge and the mouth. There have not been that many people out (perhaps everyone has had to go back to work!) but reports have come in that many of those that have been able to dedicate the time have been catching (or at least spotting) salmon coming through daily. The weather and flows look alright for the weekend ahead although some ugly weather is due for Tuesday.

The Waimakariri at the highway bridges continues to fish well for sea run trout. Sea runs have now moved through all the big rivers and there are still more to come. The Waiau has reportedly been a bit quiet.

Lake Ellesmere tributaries continue to fish well, as do the lakes - particularly the smaller ones. Green beetles have been good but this cold snap may have slowed them down. Fly Fishing guide and instructor Chappie Chapman says the hot Nor Westers, while not great to cast into have bought out the cicadas. He recommends using a Carty’s GT dry fly, but cautions that when trout take cicadas they tend to take them very aggressively.

“Anglers tend to set the rod too quickly. With dry fly fishing you want to wait until the fish has turned down, this is especially true for the lakes as the fish have all the time in the world to inspect the fly.” Adding that some anglers will wait to till they have said ‘God save the Queen’ to strike.

Chappie says if you want to have a ball this weekend head to the Waimakariri (upstream of Browns Rock) and nymph upstream with an indicator, looking out for the stable edges (e.g. places with willows or stable boulders). Otherwise head to the lower Waimakariri and fish downstream of the motorway bridges, casting downstream and using a wet fly such as a Parsons Glory, Hope Silvers, Grey Ghost or Silicon Smelt.

Groynes – releases
100 salmon were released into the Groynes lakes on Tuesday, so there should still be plenty around for this weekend.

Otukaikino (South Branch of the Waimakariri)
65,000 yearling salmon were recently released into the Otukaikino Stream. These were donated by Aoraki Salmon and the Isaac Wildlife Trust -many thanks to these two groups for supporting the Waimak fishery.

With thanks to Emily Arthur of North Canterbury Fish & Game

The Rakaia and Waimakariri rivers came up early in the week and then dropped quickly returning them to fishable flows and resulting in salmon being caught. At this stage it does not look like there will be much in the way of rainfall in the mountains until Sunday, so the rivers are likely to remain low and clear over the weekend. Even then it does not look like much rain will eventuate. The Hurunui and Waiau rivers are still high from all the rain that has been falling in the north.

On the Waimakariri anglers are reporting good numbers of sea run trout around the motorway bridges. The Ellesmere rivers, such as the Selwyn, Harts Creek and the L2 continue to fish well (at night with live bullies as bait or streamers). Anglers on the Ashley below the gorge have reported good numbers of reasonable sized fish. As the Ashley River drops they may be forced further up river, although a southerly predicted for Sunday or Monday could restore flows in this river. In the High Country anglers are getting stuck in with dry flies – cicadas and green beetles in particular. Keep an eye out for a lull in the gale nor-westers.

Groynes Fishing
The last week of the school holidays is upon us, so why not take the kids out to the Groynes lakes to give them a chance to catch one of the salmon that Fish & Game have released. 100 salmon went in yesterday and another 100 will be going in on Tuesday.

Remote High Country Lake Fishing
We recently had a report from an angler at Lake Lillian who caught a few trout at this remote lake (spin fishing with a green and yellow Tasmanian devil). This prompted me to think about the other remote lake fishing locations there are in our region for those anglers that want to get away from it all.

Lake Lillian is on Glenthorne Station and can be accessed most of the way by vehicle. Ring Glenthorne Station first on (03) 318 5818, and then stop to get key at Lower Glenthorne Station (formerly Ryton Station) which is on the Harper Road. This key is to the upper Harper River valley. Drive up the valley and then turn left up the Avoca River until you reach Lillian Stream which flows past the accommodation facilities. Walk up the Lillian Stream for 15 minutes to reach the lake.

Little Lake Ida is a small lake in the Coleridge area stocked every two years with Rainbow Trout. To reach this lake you must walk to Lake Ida (signposted on the Harper Road) and walk to the top of the lake and then over a shingle fan.

Lake Guyon is another remote lake located in the Upper Waiau catchment. It reportedly has good numbers of fish at the moment. From Hanmer drive up the Clarence River and then cross over Maling Pass (make sure you have good clearance on your 4WD). Once you reach the Waiau River walk down the true left until you reach the track to Lake Guyon. There is a small DOC hut here.

Lake Mason and Little Lake Mason are up the south branch of the Hurunui. You can get there via a private road off the Lake Sumner Road across Lake Taylor Station (03 314 4344). This costs around $80 a vehicle. You can also walk across the hill to the lakes on a track that starts from Home Bay on Lake Sumner, although at the moment there is a bit of a walk to get to Home Bay as well. In addition to trout, Lake Mason has a small population of land locked salmon.

Lake Letitia is up the Waimak just north of the Poulter River. It is stocked annually with Rainbow Trout by Fish & Game. There is a public road that leads to the lake. Follow the Mount White Road past the homestead to the lake.

Conditions for fishing in the upper reaches of the rivers and the high country lakes have been excellent since the start of the new year. There has not been much wind and the rivers are flowing low and clear. Malcolm Bell of the Complete Angler has heard reports of lots of fish being caught in the upper reaches of the Waimakiriri (below the gorge) and in the Hurunui River (above Sisters Stream). Lake Coleridge has been fishing very well with reports in of locals catching a dozen salmon a day at the Harper end of the lake. Lake Lyndon has also reportedly been fishing very well.

This is a great time of the year to get into dry fly fishing with trout starting to look upwards for food. Warmth triggers aquatic insects to change into their adult terrestrial form, and, in the words of Malcolm Bell "there is nothing like the jaws of a trout engulfing a dry fly." Something to look forward to is the arrival of the Manuka beetle in the trouts' diet. The next three weeks is likely to see the start of the prime time for beetles. A good tip is to fish the lakes when there is a slight breeze that blows the beetles over the water.

The Groynes Lakes have been popular over the summer holidays and Fish & Game have kept it well stocked, putting in another 220 salmon on Tuesday to keep the kids happy.

The big rivers continue to deliver the salmon and sea runs to holiday makers in the lower reaches, although not in big numbers. Due to the rivers flowing low and clear the most successful fishing has been the first hour of daylight and last thing before sun goes down. The exception being the Waiau which is still a moderate flow.

Trevor from Hamill's Christchurch believes the best prospects for the weekend could be fishing the surf if it remains fishable and the rivers stay low and clear. There is certainly plenty of Kahawai to go round and the salmon should be starting to pool up in anticipation of a fresh. There is some rain predicted for the next few days although it may not be enough to bring the rivers up.

Happy new year from Fish & Game

Father Christmas has delivered some great fishing conditions recently, and the first good salmon run of the season to boot.

On Wednesday morning 11 salmon were caught at the beach south of the Rakaia River mouth, a couple were also taken from boats at the mouth and a couple from the gut. Kevin from Hamills Christchurch reported that heaps of Kahawai are being caught at the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers.

The Waimakiriri has been fishing well for sea runs, however it has become very clear recently so anglers have been heading out first thing in the morning and last thing at night to fish. Some southerly rain is forecast for today (Friday) and this may add a little to the Waimak flows and the rivers north of there, particularly the Waiau River. The Rakaia does not look like it will get any rain out of this weather system.

The weather is supposed to clear this evening making for a good weekend of fishing. The high country is likely to only receive light winds over the weekend.

Over the last few days Fish & Game have released another 280 x 2 lb salmon into the Groynes Fishing Lakes. Fish & Game have committed to ensure these lakes will have salmon present throughout the summer months, with releases of similar numbers of salmon planned every three weeks until March. As with most fishing, the best opportunity to target these salmon will be early morning and late evening, and a suspended worm mid water seems to be a very successful method to catch these fish.

Dirty rivers have seen another week pass with very little activity on the salmon fishing front in North Canterbury’s rivers. Over the last week there has been the odd salmon seen in the Waimakariri River but nothing caught and very little seen elsewhere, however this recent period of freshes should have enticed salmon into the rivers. With river conditions just coming right anglers should make the most of this opportunity over the weekend before the next fresh arrives.

The salmon rivers are also an ideal colour for sea-run trout fishing, which usually produces best results late evening and into the night, with good reports coming from the Waimakariri River between the two bridges. For anglers wanting to target something different, Kawhai have recently shown up along the coast in a number of river mouths, notably the Hurunui and these provide great sport on light gear.

There are a few other options for Canterbury anglers wanting to get out for a fish. North of Christchurch, the Hurunui and Waiau Rivers have a good flow at present with recent freshes giving these rivers a good cleanout and a small veltec spinner should work well. Closer to Christchurch the Ellesmere tributaries continue to fish well, with the Selwyn River and Harts Creek producing a number of double figure trout this season. These rivers are also best fished at night.

In the high country, lakes Lyndon, Pearson and Grassmere would be worth a fish using either green or brown beetle imitation in the evenings. Lake Coleridge is also still producing fish for trolling anglers, especially early morning. Good luck over the festive season.

There are people among us that say that they love the sound that rain makes on a corrugated iron roof. Obviously they are not fishermen! In Canterbury right now, this has been the constant sound for the past 24 hours, and unfortunately it doesn’t look like it is going to ease up any time soon.

Needless to say, all the main East coast rivers are unfishable, and are most likely to remain in that state for the weekend and into early next week. We are not talking huge flows here, with the Rakaia for example, now flowing at 441 m3/s; down from 800+ m3/s in the early hours of yesterday. It is worth noting however that it does seem to me that there is much silt in the beds of our “salmon rivers”, and it doesn’t take much of a lift in the flow to make them unfishable.

We have received reports of occasional salmon being caught at the lower Rakaia and Rangitata mouth, with very odd ones at the rivers to the north. This is to be expected as it is nearly Christmas after all. In the old days, when I was a lad growing up at Lake Coleridge, it was not uncommon for salmon to be caught out from the power station tailrace before Christmas.

Speaking of those halcyon days of my youth at Lake Coleridge, reminds me of an old and very canny angler who lived in the village, and was seemingly always in pursuit of the large trout in the tailrace, or salmon in the adjacent Rakaia river. I recall that Dad was particularly successful at catching salmon with a large size silver D.A.M. Effzett spoon that he had acquired. His success was obviously not lost on our canny friend, who would come to our house and ask if he could borrow the prized Effzett spoon from time to time, if Dad wasn’t going to need it that day, obviously. He would dutifully return it that evening with a little more of the precious silver coating removed, and a couple of salmon for the smoker.

It never occurred to us at that time that this was an unusual request, but rather it was like simply helping out a fellow angler who could respect and appreciate (but obviously due to his Scottish ancestry not afford) a proven “sarrmon” catcher when he saw one.

In those days, I believe there was definitely a greater camaraderie between anglers, and the fact that there were probably, nay definitely, more fish around to be caught certainly helped bolster that generous spirit. So, given that this is the season of good will to all, if you see someone obviously a little down on their fishing luck at the river bank or lakeshore over the Christmas holiday period, offer them some words of encouragement or maybe even a lure that you have had particularly good success with recently. I bet that simple act of kindness to your brother or sister of the angle, will make both of your days that much brighter.

Back now to a public service type announcement, please be advised that around 200 1kg salmon will be released every 2-3 weeks into the Groynes fishing lakes over the holiday period for the kids. Until I return with my next Fishing Report on the 13th January, may I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a safe and happy Christmas.

The Rakaia Lagoon is quite spread out at the moment. Anglers on foot are better to go to the north side, as the mouth is very close to the north huts. From the south huts is it about a 5km walk. A few sea runs have been caught, mostly up river a bit from the mouth. Sea runs have also been reported as having been caught below the traffic bridge at the Waimakariri and at the mouth of the Ashley in the evenings.

The forecast for high country looks great for the weekend with only light winds predicted. The High Country Lakes have been fishing well with reports in of some nice fish being taken out of Lake Pearson in the last few days.

As of Friday morning the flows were as follows:
Waiau at Marble Point – 134 cumecs : The Waiau is generally fishable if less than 60 cumecs at the Marble Point flow recorder

Hurunui at Mandamus – 64 cumecs: The Hurunui is generally fishable if less than 35 cumecs at Mandamus

Ashley at the gorge – 13 cumecs: The lower reaches could be worth a look as the water should be clearing.

Waimakariri at Woodstock – 124 cumecs: The Waimakariri is generally fishable if less than 80 cumecs at Woodstock.

Rakaia at Fighting Hill – 221 cumecs: The Rakaia generally fishable if less than 180 cumecs at Fighting Hill.

Fish to the Groynes: 200 salmon are being put into the Groynes Fishing Lakes in time for this weekends fishing so grab the kids and head out there.

Trout fishing in the North Canterbury region appears to be going pretty well so far this season with most anglers spoken to reporting success to date. Anglers fishing the Harper River above Lake Coleridge reported reasonable success with rainbow trout yesterday for the first day of the season for the Harper River and tributaries. The Lake Coleridge Lakes have also produced some healthy fish over the last few weeks.

I have heard of the odd salmon caught over the last few weeks in the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers but as yet, nothing from the Waimakariri, Hurunui or Waiau Rivers, however these rivers have all been unfishable for some time now and this has limited angling opportunity. The east coast surf has also been unfavourable for river mouth anglers targeting salmon over the last few weeks in addition to dirty the rivers. There will be salmon throughout the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers by now and they should be fishable by tomorrow morning, so this weekend should be the first real opportunity for anglers to have a serious look for salmon. If you haven’t done so already this season, now would be a great time to check over your gear, and get your reels serviced and replace your line and any rusty trebles etc.

Fishing for sea-run trout around the river mouths has also been quiet lately with discoloured rivers but this should pick up now and continue through to after Christmas.

Lake Ellesmere tributaries such as the L11 and Selwyn have produced some large trout to date this season and the prolonged opening of the lake to the sea appears to have attracted quite a few sea-run trout into the lake. One river that would be worth a look over the weekend is the Ashley River as it has not been as affected by the rain in the Alps.

Please note, anglers are encouraged to report incidences of any illegal fishing activity they may see and a note of vehicle registration numbers etc would be helpful. Rangers will be active over the coming season and anglers are reminded to carry their licence on them while fishing.

This is the time of year we expect to see salmon starting to appear in our big rivers, and sure enough stories have started to drift in to Fish & Game of the odd salmon being caught at the Rangitata, Rakaia, Waimak and Hurunui Rivers. Last weekend we saw some big floods come through - the Rakaia and Waimak both reaching 1200 cumecs. This has meant less than ideal fishing conditions and probably annoyed a few anglers who had been out scouting good salmon lies which may now be gone.

The Selwyn continues to fish well, particularly at night. Lake Ellesmere is now closed to the sea but the sea runs that got in continue to make their way to the river chasing schools of bait fish. We have had a few reports in from Lake Selfe, one angler seeing a dozen brown trout cruising the beach end of the lake. Anglers might want to try a dragon fly nymph under an indicator, or if spin fishing using a nymph under a bubble or a streamer fly such as a hairy dog.

This angler pictured below only stated fishing last year when his wife got him into the sport and is now reportedly ‘hooked’. Well you would be taking three fish in one day. Between them they couple took four fish from lakes Selfe and Coleridge, including two salmon a Rainbow trout and a Brown trout. James said he “caught the big salmon on a soft brown lure and the brown on a bright pink Tazzy……..not that I have ever seen anything that is pink and resembles a fish or bug LOL but it worked.”

The weekend is not looking great on the big rivers. As of Thursday the Waiau was still above 500 cumecs, the Waimak and Hurunui above 200 and the Rakaia above 300. They are unlikely to drop in time for some weekend fishing. The Ashley was at 15 and dropping, so could be worth a look.

Have a good weekend and don’t forget to diary our AGM

Well the weather has certainly been variable since I last wrote the fishing report! There have been several really cold, wet and windy events to put a dampener on many anglers fishing trips, particularly to fish the High Country lakes.

Unfortunately, the weather for the next few days is not that helpful for fishermen either: Friday night SW showers; Saturday SW turning to NE; Sunday rain spreading up the West Coast, heavy south of Hokitika, which will mean NW wind for Canterbury and the probability of the Rangitata and Rakaia coming down in a fresh; Monday has heavy rain in the West continuing, with Nor-West gales.

Probably the best time to get out will be Saturday before the NW kicks in. The Rakaia is running at 184 cumecs and the Waimak in the gorge is 89 today. These should be trout fishable at these flows, and would be worth a look before things deteriorate. By the looks of it, the Waiau and Hurunui would be marginally too high and discoloured. The smaller east coast rivers such as the Ashley and Selwyn would be worth fishing towards their headwaters. We are still receiving reports of some very good condition trout coming out of the lower Selwyn too, so that should be worth a visit.

As I write this, the Groynes Lakes Junior Fishery is receiving another top-up of chunky high spirited Rainbow trout from our hatchery. Unsettled weather and a bit of wind over the weekend should make ideal conditions to fish and keep the young anglers in your family interested.

On a compliance note, a heads – up; we have received reports of anglers using boats/vessels with motors at Lake Grasmere recently. While the regulations now do allow anglers to fish here from boats, we do not allow trolling, as our fishing regulations must be compatible with the Wildlife Refuge status of the lake, which prohibits the use of motorised vessels. This means all motors, even electric ones.

Fish and Game have received the following advice from Ecan staff regarding the potential impact of anglers fishing in riverbeds, on endangered birds such as Wrybill’s, Banded dotterel’s and Black fronted terns, as now is their main breeding season.

A few easy things anglers can do to avoid killing threatened braided river birds: Watch out for agitated birds – “rat running”, swooping, or calling loudly. This means eggs or chicks are nearby. The bird won’t go back to the nest until you have left and if this is longer than 10 minutes the eggs can overheat or chill, and will not hatch (a wasted season).
If you can, choose a pool to fish that is close to trees such as willows (birds prefer to nest on open shingle)
Stick to well worn tracks if you have to drive on riverbeds.
Keep accompanying dogs under control.
Note: Breeding season is from early September to late January.

Waimakariri Rivercare Users Group (WRUG) is a new group, with the aim of “Maintaining, protecting and enhancing the natural characteristics of the Waimakariri River and its wildlife, while recognising all river users”. If you would like to be involved, please contact Mimouk Hannan on + 64 3 323 5269

Last weekend saw the opening of the high country lakes in the region. Friday evening saw the tail end of a southerly pass by, with snow to low levels in the alps and this may have deterred a few anglers. Saturday saw the good old Canterbury nor-wester again which will also have restricted many boat anglers. This may have kept a few anglers at home over the weekend, but those that ventured into the hills were rewarded with improving conditions over weekend, although bitterly cold!

The Hamills Fishing Competition at Lake Coleridge saw around 450 anglers out fishing and there were some great catches from most lakes in the area. The results are listed below. The salmon in Lake Coleridge are in great condition this year, with most weighing between one and one and a half kg.

Results
199 fish were caught (23 brown Trout, 58 Rainbow Trout, and 118 salmon)
Heaviest Brown Trout was caught by a junior angler H Harris (2.1kg)
Heaviest Rainbow Trout was M Howard (2.45 kg) at Lake Selfe
Heaviest Salmon was MH Van Leeuwen (1.4kg)

The other high country lakes also fished well over the weekend and many of the trout that were caught seem to be in good condition. High country anglers please remember, all rivers flowing into high country lakes such as the Ryton River, the Harper River and the Hurunui River above Lake Sumner, do not open until the 1st of December. However the main salmon spawning streams are open to angling this year, please check your regulation booklet before heading for the hills.

Lake Ellesmere is still open to the sea and we have seen some very nice sea-run trout taken the mouth and the Rakaia should show similar results from now until Christmas as the trout fatten up on silveries around the river mouth. As far as salmon fishing goes, I am still yet to here of any landed although it sounds like the odd one has been seen. The main rivers are in good condition at present and I expect to see the first one taken over the long weekend at either the Rakaia or Rangitata mouth.

The first Saturday in November is one of the highlights of the Canterbury fishing calendar. High country lakes will open to fishing for the first time this season, which will attract thousands of anglers into the hills. Lake Coleridge is always the most popular choice on Opening Weekend due to the mix of brown trout, rainbow trout and landlocked salmon available. The first few hours of daylight are often the most productive, for both shore and boat anglers, as the fish encounter their first lures and flies for some months.

As usual Fish & Game are holding an opening day fishing promotion at Lake Coleridge in conjunction with Hamills Fishing and Hunting Christchurch. $10,000 of prizes are up for grabs and are awarded to both anglers who have caught fish and those who have struck out. Entry is free, which makes it the best value fishing competition around! All you have to do is turn up at Ryton Bay on Saturday between 9am and 3pm with your fish/empty bag, show your fishing licence and you are in the draw.

Please do remember to bring your licence. Prize-winning entries have been turned away in the past because anglers could not produce their licence on the day. The prize-giving kicks off at 4pm and will again be hosted by Darryl Crimp of the Fishing Paper. Fish & Game want to particularly acknowledge the support of Hamills Fishing and Hunting Christchurch, who have been flat out trying to get their Colombo Street store back up and running since the earthquake and could have easily decided not to support the event this year.

The weather forecast is typical for opening weekend; -strong north west winds and rain. However first thing on Saturday morning looks to be showing a slight reduction in wind, before it picks up again in the late afternoon and evening. Most of the rain is predicted for Saturday night. As always please treat the mountain weather forecast with a grain of salt.

Conditions can change very quickly at this time of year and anglers are advised to be very careful, particularly if heading out onto a big lake such as Coleridge in a boat. Prospects for river fishing this weekend are not great with most running dirty, and more floods predicted. Anglers are advised to stick to spring fed streams and coastal rivers such as the Ashley and Selwyn which are enjoying good flows but are still running clear.

Many anglers will know that the Take a Kid Fishing Day held at the Christchurch Groynes in October was once again a huge success with more than 6000 people turning up. What is less well known is that there continues to be great fishing opportunities at the Groynes in the weeks that follow.

Yesterday Fish & Game released another 200 catchable salmon into the Groynes Fishing Lakes and so the fishing should be excellent over the next few weeks. Please remember that the Groynes is restricted to anglers who are under the age of 18 (as of 1 October 2011). Rangers are getting fed up with adults breaking these rules and are starting to issue infringement notices.

Finally, we wish to make anglers aware that submissions for changes to the Rakaia Water Conservation Order are due shortly and it would be great to see a strong showing from anglers. We will be sending out another email over the weekend seeking your help.

For the last week anglers have been limited to the smaller rivers in the region as many of the larger rivers the have been unfishable due to heavy rain both last week and again this week. These rivers are unlikely to be fishable this weekend however the spring fed streams in the high country have been fishing well with good reports coming from the upper Waiau tributaries, and the Lewis River is likely to be a good bet for anglers.

Sea run trout fishing has been relatively quiet recently, however silveries have started to show up in the lower Rakaia so this should fatten up the trout and the fishing will continue to improve right through to Christmas, with late evening the preferred time to target these fish. As yet I have not heard any reports of a salmon landed in the Rakaia or Rangitata Rivers, however there have been a few salmon seen in the lower reaches and there will undoubtedly be a few in the rivers on the back of this last fresh.

Anglers will be looking forward to the opening of the high country lakes a little over a week away, which will be celebrated again this year with a fishing competition at Lake Coleridge, with a prize pool valued at $10,000 dollars. The competition will be based at Ryton Bay and the focus of the competition is participation. Every angler who shows a licence will be given a ticket for spot prizes.

A special thanks must go to Hamills Hunting & Fishing Christchurch and Composite Developments for donating the $10,000 in prizes.

Acheron River Fishing Opportunities: In an effort to enhance fishing opportunities on Molesworth Station, Nelson Marlborough Fish & Game again requested that the Acheron Road be opened to provide for angler access to the lower part of the Acheron River during the early part of the season. After discussions with staff from Landcorp and the Molesworth Steering Committee, the Department of Conservation notified us on the 30th of September that Fish and Game could proceed with a road open period in the lower Acheron on the following basis:

The road may be opened from the Acheron gate to the Yarra gate from 1 Oct to 15 November. Heifer calving in the Alma area means that vehicle access to the Severn Bridge is not desirable.
A combination lock is not to be used on the Acheron chain.
Fish and Game are responsible for ensuring that there is someone present throughout the road open period to monitor the use and to ensure as far as possible that access is confined to the road and river area.
There is no vehicle access provided from the Awatere. Stock work at this time of year precludes this.
That a report be sent to the Steering Committee after the open period finishes which details usage.
While it is encouraging that the Acheron Road (up to the Yarra) could potentially be opened for a six week period to enable angler access, unfortunately Fish & Game can’t justify having a person present throughout the entire road opening period, particularly given the late notice.!

Anglers wanting to take advantage of this improved vehicle access to the lower Acheron Road can however apply to the DOC South Marlborough Area Office in Renwick for a Recreation Permit – at no cost. Either phone 03 572 9100 or email southmarlboroughao@doc.govt.nz and ask for a Recreation Permit to fish the Acheron on Molesworth. While a Recreation Permit for Molesworth can be applied for at any stage throughout the year, the issue of Recreation Permits are subject to farm operations and may be denied on that basis.

Please note - it may take several days to process the application for a Recreation Permit and to organise keys, so don’t leave it until the last minute.

One week into the new fishing season, anglers opportunities have been somewhat limited as the weekend saw strong nor-westers in the alps followed by dirty rivers since, with the exception of the Rakaia River which remains fishable and the smaller lowland rivers which are unaffected by nor-wester rain.

The main rivers are still discolored and are likely to remain so for the weekend, with rivers such as the Hurunui and Waiau yet to have much of an opening, so should fish well when flows drop off.

Reports from the Lake Ellesmere tributaries indicate good numbers of sea-run brown trout have entered the lake recently when the lake was open to the sea with a few good reports coming from the L2 and Selwyn Rivers. As usual, these rivers have fished better in the evening and at night.

Anglers are reminded that high country lakes in the region do not open until Saturday the 5th of November, and rivers flowing into these lakes do not open until the 1st of December.

Salmon are still a month or so away from showing up yet but let’s hope that we get good numbers back this season. If you haven’t done so yet, now is a good time to get those reels serviced and replace your line.

A reminder to parents that the annual Take a Kid Fishing day is just over a week away on Sunday the 16th of October at the Groynes Lakes. The Isaac Wildlife Trust will be donating over 1,000 salmon which will be released in the Groynes fishing lakes for this event. Bring all the family and enjoy a fun kids fishing day. It’s free for all children, including the fishing licence for the day.

The signs are pointing towards a good opening week of the fishing season come October. We’ve had stable flows throughout winter without any major floods that can lead to fish mortality, so populations in the headwater, middle and lower reaches should all be good.

In addition to early indications of good population numbers, riverbeds have optimum algae cover and reasonable invertebrate numbers. This indicates trout should be in good condition.

This was endorsed by Malcolm Bell, of the Complete Angler who confirmed good numbers of one to two pound brown trout in the mid reaches of the Hurunui recently. He believed this was an improvement on what he had seen in previous years. The Complete Angler has just reopened next door to their original location after suffering severe damage in the Christchurch earthquake.

Mark from Hamills reported there a have been a few sea run trout caught at the Rakaia recently but does not expect the onslaught of sea runs in the lower reaches until late October. “They will have put on some good conditions then with the silveries coming on board,” said Mark.

Unfortunately there is a nor west front coming through on Saturday which may affect peoples plans for opening day fishing. This is expected to change to a southerly on Sunday, so depending on when this occurs the conditions may become more suitable. Providing the front does not bring too much rain the rivers should be low and clear for the week following opening weekend with the weather looking good for much of the week.

River flows for the next couple of days are expected to fall or remain relatively stable. This should mean that for those still chasing salmon at the tail end of the season, then they should do O.K. (sorry about the pun). There are salmon present throughout the Eastern Zone of the main rivers, and this situation should continue for a few weeks yet. Anglers should of course not be too upset about catching bronze-coloured fish, at this time of year, although there will still be some silvers among the catch as well.

A modest size 8.5 lb silver salmon taken late in the season at the Rakaia Gorge.
Anglers who encounter clear river conditions are reminded that their success may be increased by fishing the change of light, with down-sized silver or white zeddies in the10 – 15g size, or similar size and coloured Colorado spoons. Veltic lures may also add to your strike rate. While salmon may be your target species, using smaller lures can also mean that you pick up the occasional trout as well.

Unfortunately, rain is forecast to be heavy at times in the alps this Friday night and Saturday, with an accompanying rise in the Nor-West wind. Any small rise in the river flow and subsequent modest discolouration will also put the odds more in your favour. We are talking hear about a small fresh and not a “banker”.

This predicted change in the weather will of course make things a bit of a lottery if you are planning a trip to fish one of our High Country lakes, particularly if you are taking a boat. However a bonus will be that any trout and land-locked Chinook salmon you catch should be in top condition, in preparation for spawning over the coming months.
Whatever your fishing plans are, it is important to remember that anglers who are willing to adapt to the conditions they encounter are likely to be successful.

Salmon anglers in the Rakaia River were still catching the odd salmon in the mid to upper reaches up until the river came down dirty on Tuesday following rain in the alps. The Waimakariri has been fishing well in the lower to mid reaches which is to be expected, as it tends to fish better in the later part of the season with the Waimakariri salmon tending to spawn a few weeks after the Rakaia

The rivers have dropped to fishable flows again and should be a good colour this weekend. Anglers should make the most of the last few weeks before the salmon make their last run for the spawning grounds in the high country. Trout fishing has quietened off as the temperatures drop off and the first snows arrive in the high country, although some dedicated anglers are still catching trout in the lakes.

Yesterday Fish & Game North Canterbury staff and volunteers salvaged 150 salmon from Trustpower’s Highbank Power Station. Fish & Game officer Steve Terry said that the salmon entered the tailrace because the volume of water released from the power station imitates a significant braid in the Rakaia where it joins the other channels. Salmon are attracted to this large volume of water and mistakenly swim up the tailrace on their way to the high country spawning streams, only to come to a dead end at the power station.

Mr Terry said that although Trustpower installed a salmon exclusion barrier two years ago this was not functioning as well as Fish & Game had hoped. 150 fish make up a significant portion of the Rakaia salmon run. Fish & Game will be meeting with Trustpower to discuss how the system can be improved.

A large team of volunteers including two divers positioned a net to trap the fish which will be released into the Rakaia above the power station. The salvage was able to be carried out because the power station was closed down due to works being conducted by an irrigation company associated with the Highbank scheme. Whilst every attempt was made to get all the salmon out, some remained under the turbines and were unable to be retrieved.

Mr Terry wanted to remind anglers that there is no fishing in the Highbank tailrace.

Good luck if you are heading out this weekend.

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

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

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

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

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

The Rakaia and Waimakariri have been returning steady catches of salmon recently. This last weekend was quiet at the mouth of the Rakaia but salmon have been caught from Dobbies right up to the gorge.

Although salmon are throughout the Waimakariri now, anglers have still been reporting good catches in the lower reaches, with 10 caught yesterday at the mouth, and around 12 the day before. The Banana Hole has been fishing particularly well.
No fish have turned up in the spawning streams in the high country yet, but they wont be far off. Salmon anglers are reminded that there is no fishing above the white posts, which roughly corresponds to Staircase Gully on the Waimakariri and the Coleridge tailrace on the Rakaia.

Heavy rain has fallen in the high country over the last 24 hours and this could mean the Rakaia and Waimak will come down dirty, possibly for the duration of the weekend. However anglers are advised to keep an eye on the river levels and watch for a clearing which is likely to bring good fishing. These river levels can be found on the Environment Canterbury website.

It is possible that the Hurunui and Waiau rivers may be be fishable for the weekend. Certainly the Cheviot Volunteer Fire Brigade who are running a salmon and trout fishing competition this weekend will be crossing their fingers that conditions remain good. Often the north west rain does not reach that far.

The weather is likely to be settled for the weekend and the high country lakes could be worth a trip. Often at this time of year a damsel fly larvae or dragon fly larvae, as either a nymph or as a wet fly (for example a Hamill’s Killer) can be productive. Terrestrial insects are likely to be around in reasonable numbers so Black Gnats could be worth a go.

For those who want to take their kids fishing Fish & Game released 100 two pound rainbow trout into the Groynes lakes yesterday. Beginners might want to try fishing with bait such as worms of shrimp suspended at least a metre below a bubble.
Good luck to those anglers heading out this week.

Emily Arthur
North Canterbury Fish & Game

The larger snow fed rivers are in great condition for salmon fishing at the moment which looks promising for some good catches this weekend. Yesterday saw a dozen caught at both McIntosh’s Rocks in the lower Waimakariri and a similar number at the Rakaia Mouth. The mid reaches of both these rivers have also yielded a few salmon each day recently, with the Rakaia Gorge proving to be a reliable spot.

Later next week Fish & Game will be releasing around 100 x two pound rainbow trout into the Groynes Lakes for junior anglers and families should make the most of this next weekend where a majority of these are likely to be caught.

North Canterbury Fish & Game will be reviewing the fishing regulations over the next few months, and anglers wishing to have an input into this process are asked to send a submission in writing to North Canterbury Fish & Game before 30th April, remembering to include their contact details. Submitters will then be notified of the regulation review meeting date to be held mid-May.

Anglers please note that the New Zealand Salmon Anglers Association Waimakariri Salmon Fishing Competition scheduled to take place this weekend has been cancelled. The Cheviot Salmon Fishing Competition is still on the following weekend, the 19th and 20th of March. Anglers can register for this event next Friday after 5pm at the Cheviot Emergency Services Center on McQueens Road in Cheviot, or contact Phil on (027) 630 9444.

The city of Christchurch has been hit by two big earthquakes in February and understandably not a lot of fishing has been going on in the region over the last ten days. The braided rivers are all high and dirty after a major flood during the week. However they are dropping quickly and should be trout fishable for tonight. However more north west rain is predicted to fall in the Alps tonight which should bring yet another flood to the rivers during the weekend.

Although this week’s report is light on fishing news, I do have a couple of important messages to get across. Firstly we have been advised that the Waimakariri River Salmon Fishing Competition scheduled for March 12 has been cancelled. Secondly I wish to advise anglers and hunters that the Fish & Game office in Horatio Street is currently out of action. However the staff are still working and can be contacted on the following cell phone numbers:

Ross Millichamp (Management) 021 221 8328
Steve Terry (Fisheries) 021 221 8327
Brian Ross (Gamebirds/Compliance) 021 221 8326
Emily Arthur (Public Relations) 021 221 8332
Dirk Barr (Hatchery) 021 221 8378
Tony Hawker (RMA) 021 221 8325

The unusually volatile weather has continued to frustrate trout and salmon anglers over the last week. Although the weather has been OK on the plains, the mountains have been exposed to strong winds and rain which has caused the braided rivers to run dirty much of the time.

Although conditions have been patchy, there are signs that the salmon runs are starting to improve. Fish are being seen and caught most days at the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers despite the marginal fishing conditions. The Rakaia has yet to clear really well, and appears to be scouring in the middle and lower reaches. This often happens in the weeks after really big floods, such as we experienced over the Christmas break. The Rangitata has been better and has fished well in the lower reaches. There has also been the odd salmon showing up at the Waimakariri Mouth with one or two fish being caught each day.

The sea runs trout fishing under the old highway bridge at the Waimakariri has also been good in recent days. The Hurunui had been fishing well but big seas over the past few days have made it difficult to fish the surf. However the salmon fishing should come back to life when the swell drops to one metre or below.

Trout anglers have also been affected by the weather and river conditions. The upper Hurunui which runs clear most of the time has fished well, but other waters have been difficult. However experienced anglers know that the fishing should be excellent when the rivers do clear as the trout should be hungry and less wary of anglers.

Prospects for the weekend depend on what the weather delivers. Rain is expected in the high country this evening, but may pass through quickly without affecting conditions. Check the rainfall page on the Environment Canterbury website before heading out. If there has been more than 25mm of rain at Arthurs Pass in the last 24 hours, expect the rivers to come down in flood once again.

Ross Millichamp

Christmas holidays fishing report

At Fish & Game it is our Christmas wish that a southerly wind comes through and blows these nor west gales away. It is pretty hard going at the moment for anglers, with all the main rivers in flood. In spite of our Christmas wish, it could be rough for another week yet. Salmon anglers should be ready for when starts to clear however; as a southerly change can result in a clear patch of sea on the south side of the river which can be fished prior to the rivers clearing. On another note, those who fish the Waimak will be happy that McIntosh's rocks have now been repaired following the earthquake damage.

A few nice sized trout are still being caught in the Selwyn, Halswell and L2 rivers, where they run into Lake Ellesmere. Big fish often hang out around the river mouths and tend to start feeding actively after dark. Bully imitation or smelt imitation lures are worth a go.

In the high country the braided rivers will be dirty for a while yet, but when the southerly comes through, Lake Coleridge and the smaller high country streams will be well worth a look. Angers have reported that Lake Sumner has been fishing well of late. Spinning gear is very effective on this lake, but also wet flies, such as Mrs Simpson, Hamill’s Killer and Woolly Buggers.

Fish & Game will close on the 23rd of December and re open January 10th. On behalf of the Fish & Game staff I wish you and your families a Happy Christmas.

Emily Arthur
Fish & Game Office

Salmon fishing has picked up a little in the last week. The Rakaia has had a few fish each day, most of which are being caught just upstream from the rivermouth. The Rangitata had a flurry of fish go through on Monday with seven landed by anglers using feathered lures. The odd fish is also being caught in the surf on both sides of the river when conditions allow.

A few salmon are being caught each day at the Waimakariri Mouth, which is very early for this river and a good sign for the season to come. Most are being caught in the top half of the outgoing tide. Many people have been asking about the water quality in the Waimakariri following the earthquake. The latest advice from Environment Canterbury is that there is still some human waste going into the river, especially after heavy rain. Anglers should take care to wash their hands frequently, clean their fish well and to rinse off their gear after they have finished with it.

Trout fishing continues to be good in the Ellesmere tributaries such as the lower reaches of the Selwyn, Halswell and Harts Creek. The best fishing is well after dark on a moonless night. The Picket Fence at the western end of Lake Coleridge is also fishing well, with landlocked salmon being the main catch.

Parents will be interested to learn that a fresh batch of salmon have been released into the Christchurch Groynes Fishing Lakes. These lakes are reserved for anglers under the age of 17, but parents can assist them if necessary.

Although the rivers are currently clear and fishable, there has been around 30mm of rain in the Alps this morning which will probably see the Rakaia, Waimakariri and Rangitata Rivers coming down in flood on Saturday. The following week looks equally unsettled with a string of northwest fronts predicted to hit the high country.

The hot topic amongst many anglers at this time of the year is have there been any salmon seen and even more importantly, have there been any caught. Salmon fishing in the region has yet to really take off, however I have heard that the first salmon for the season were caught at both the Rakaia and Rangitata Mouths last weekend before the rivers came down in a small fresh and whitebaiters have also seen the odd fish purposing in and around the river mouths. The main snow fed salmon fishing rivers have not seen a significant fresh for a number of weeks now and this may well be holding the salmon at sea. There have been no sightings of salmon as yet in the Waimakariri River.

On the trout scene, anglers have started catching some of the best conditioned sea-run trout seen in a number of years around the river mouths, with a number of double figure trout taken. Fishing for these should continue to improve over the next month or so as the trout fatten up on whitebait and silveries which seem to have shown up in reasonable numbers recently. The Rakaia only has one mouth now, with the second northern one closing recently and the fishing conditions seem to be favouring the northern side of the mouth and lagoon.

For anglers fishing the Ashley as the warmer evenings approach, the river between the Rangiora Bridge and SH1 gives the fly fisherman the chance to fish during the mayfly hatch and while fish are not large there are reasonably good numbers available.
With the lack of nor-westers the high country lakes continue to fish well with good reports coming from Lakes Coleridge and Lyndon.

A month into the new fishing season anglers have largely been limited to the smaller rivers in the region, however the larger rivers are now fishable and should remain so for the weekend with the weather forecast looking great. Again anglers are advised not to fish in the lower Waimakariri or tributaries flowing into this area, with ongoing sewage discharges following the earthquake and indications are that this restriction is likely to remain in place for some time. On a more positive note, anglers will be pleased to know that ECan plan on having the berm at McIntosh’s Rocks fixed before Christmas.

With flows dropping to fishable levels in the larger rivers, the upper reaches of all the rivers should fish well this weekend with the Waiau headwaters and the Lewis River likely to be a good bet for anglers. Sea run trout fishing has been relatively quiet recently, however silveries have started to show up in the lower Rakaia so this should bring the trout in and the fishing will continue to improve right through to Christmas, with late evening the preferred time to target these fish. As yet I have not heard any reports of a salmon landed in the Rakaia River, however there have been a few salmon taken in front of the Railway Station in Kaikoura off the beech, along with good numbers of Kahawai.

The Department of Conservation will open the Molesworth Station for fishing from October 30 till November 14. The department administers the station as a recreation reserve. Landcorp Farming leases the land from the department for stock, and is busy at this time of the year moving stock. The river is open only for a brief period.

DOC programme manager for community relations Colin Davis is a keen fisherman and says this is a great chance for some excellent fishing. "It is a window of opportunity for all high-country fishermen – the solitude of getting away up there in the high country and the challenge of catching some good fish that have not seen anybody for six months. "It is a wonderful opportunity to get the brown trout, with that never-ending challenge to catch a trophy fish."

nzfishing.com describes the Acheron as a difficult river to fish but one that provides a challenge to experienced anglers who are looking for a back-country fishing experience. "It consists of a series of pools punctuated by long glides and riffles which hold a small number of large fish. The river runs over open land and over a rock and gravel bed," the website says.

The Acheron road will be open for vehicles between Acheron Accommodation House and Yarra Gate for the two weeks. The gates open daily from 7am till 7pm.

For those wishing to spend longer than a day in the high country there is accommodation at the historic Acheron Accommodation House campsite. The fees to camp are $6 per night per adult and $1.50 per night per child (ages five to 17), with toilets and water provided, says Mr Davis.

"There is a well-experienced DOC ranger based at the Acheron camping ground, and he will be welcoming people and helping out where he can." For more information contact Department of Conservation South Marlborough Area Office on 5729100 or Nelson/Marlborough Fish and Game on 5446382.

The trout fishing season appears to be going pretty well so far this season with many anglers reporting success to date. There was quite a lot of rain in the alps earlier in the week which brought the rivers down dirty but they have been dropping since. The forecast for the weekend is great and the rivers should be trout fishable by tomorrow evening or Sunday morning. Once the big rivers do clear, we should start to see a few salmon about. I have not heard of any salmon caught yet but they should start showing up any day now in the Rangitata or Rakaia Rivers. If you haven’t done so already this season, now would be a great time to check over your gear, and get your reels serviced and replace your line and any rusty trebles.

There have been a few sea run trout caught at the Rakaia River mouth recently and fishing for these should continue through to Christmas as the trout fatten up on silveries and whitebait in the lower reaches.

One river that would be worth a look over the weekend is the Ashley River as it does not get effected by the nor-west rain in the alps. It has been fishing well for trout in recent weeks and we have also had reports of a few sea run trout showing up in the lower reaches.

Last weekend saw the annual Take a Kid Fishing event held at the Groynes Lakes where many children were rewarded with some nice trout and salmon. There are still plenty of fish left and parents should make the most of this opportunity. A reminder that these lakes are open to children aged 16 and under only.

Fish & Game have joined forces with a number of groups to organise a gathering in Cathedral Square to express our concerns on the way water is being managed in Canterbury. Refer below for details of the event. Helpers are needed to distribute 250,000 flyers to advertise the event to Canterbury households. The flyers can be picked up between 8:30am and 5pm on Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th of May at 311 Montreal Street (opposite the Christchurch Art Gallery)

Gathering to advocate for better water management on Sunday June 13th at 3pm (Cathedral Square). In case of rain, the Cathedral will be open to us

IS IT RIGHT?

Is it right that we should lose our rivers and streams?
Is it right that we should lose our clean drinking water?
Is it right that we should lose our vote on these issues?

The loss of our elected environment council, the loss of conservation orders and our right to argue for or against them, is a loss for democracy. We invite you to join us in Cathedral Square to build a cairn as a memorial to our loss. There will be brief addresses by the following people:

Graham Wardrop and Liz Braggins – Musicians
Brian Turner – Poet laureate 2003-5
Lydia Bradey – First women to climb Mt. Everest without oxygen
Brian Deans – Fifth generation farmer
Robin Judkins – Coast to Coast organiser
Morgan Waru – Student
The right reverend Victoria Mathews – Bishop of Canterbury
Ariana Tikao – Musician

Organised by: www.ourwaterourvote.org.nz

Today anglers awoke to the dregs of a fresh heading downstream. The Waimakariri reached 217 cumecs, and the Rakaia to 470. Flows have dropped since then but these rivers are, as one angler put it “too thick to swim in, not quite thick enough to plough.” Although unfishable today, they could come right by the weekend.

The last week and a half has been very slow at the Rakaia with few people fishing the mouth. No salmon have been spotted there for a while – except for one heading in the wrong direction. Anglers are advised to head upstream and fish above High Bank, one angler recommended a yellow or black Colorado or Zed -spinner.

At the Waimakariri, reports have come in that four were caught at the mouth on Tuesday, and prior to that 2 or 3 a day were being caught at the mouth and at Mackintoshes. Anglers are advising those keen to take home a feed to head up river, upstream of Cooks Road.

An angler reported the Hurunui and Waiau rivers have been very quiet on the salmon front for the last 10 days; however there are still a number of sea run trout in the Hurunui.

There is a southerly change expected tonight. The forecast for the High Country this weekend is for North West or Westerly winds, strong in exposed places.

This is the last fishing report for the season and Fish & Game would like to thank all the anglers that supplied information for this report over the season.

Other News/ Events:

Ranging Fishing Competition – postponed until April 22nd (11am)
The Rangers Trophy Fishing Contest will now be held on Thursday the 22nd of April from 11am. Registration starts at 11am at Kairaki Beach on the north side of the Waimak, and must be completed before fishing.

Weeding day at Boggy Creek Reserve – April 24 (9am)

Fish & Game are organising a volunteer weeding day at Boggy Creek Reserve on Collets Road (Lake Ellesmere) on Saturday the 24th of April. The fun begins at 9am and goes for as long as your stamina. Volunteers will be rewarded with good company and a sausage sizzle at 12pm. Boggy Creek is the site of a stream restoration project and popular duck hunting location. If possible bring along your gloves and a weeding tool, such as secateurs, loppers or a pruning saw. Wool sacs would also be useful. Herbicide gel will be supplied. Contact Emily on 03 366 9191 for more details.

‘Fish in Schools’ helpers needed

Every wanted to have pet salmon? Now is your chance. Fish & Game are looking for helpers for their 2010 Fish in Schools programme. The programme involves classrooms of children hosting mini salmon hatcheries.

This mini hatchery project gives students a hands-on approach to rearing salmon and an opportunity to learn about environmental issues. The project involves students hatching a few hundred salmon eggs in late May using a specially designed incubator. Once hatched, students have the opportunity to nurture the fry until they are ready for release as they outgrow the capacity of the aquarium.

Fish & Game supply all equipment/automatic feeders, salmon food and an education booklet. The school keeps the incubator environment healthy and choose a river for the fish release. Raising salmon in an incubator and linking this to environmental education helps to develop student awareness of environmental issues related to water and aquatic environments.

The 2010 Fish in Schools programme is nearly upon us, with eggs being delivered to schools in mid May. This year we are short a few volunteers. If you are interested please contact Emily on 03 366 9191 or via email: earthur@fishandgame.org.nz. Full training and backup provided.

Salmon catches have slowed on the North Canterbury Rivers. The Waimakariri (which had a late run) has dropped off recently, although there is still the odd fish being caught; sometimes up to half a dozen in a day at the mouth. As the salmon move through the river some are being caught in the middle reaches, right up to the gorge. The most successful fishing being at first light and later in the day. Fishing in the middle of the day has been difficult in the low and clear conditions. A lot of anglers are now fishing the clear water with a very small Colorado spoon.

This time of the year is good for rainbows and a few are being caught with trout spinning gear in the middle reaches below the gorge, especially around the Browns Rock area below the gorge bridge. The brown trout at this time of the year are in excellent condition.

Further north reports have come in of salmon being caught in the Waiau, scattered throughout the river up to the Hamner Bridge. This reach of the Waiau is good trout fishing water so anglers should fish with lighter, smaller gear for both salmon and trout. Some good sized brown trout have been caught this season.

Anglers should apply the same methods in the middle reaches of the Hurunui around the Medbury area. This area is still producing some nice brown trout up to 5lb on a pheasant tail nymph fished upstream. With the good weather and polaroids these fish are not hard to spot and cast to.

Lake fishing in the high country has generally been quiet, aside from Coleridge where anglers have reported reasonable catches of salmon and trout at the mouth of the Ryton and Harper rivers. Over the Easter period we received comment from several boaties that trolling with two colours of lead line using a traffic light tassie devil with a woolly bugger tied about a metre below the tassie was productive. Use about a six metre trace below the lead line.

Now that the weather has cooled some anglers fishing the lakes are using two to three nymphs, the bottom one being a heavier nymph that the top two, with a couple of feet between each nymph. Just twitch it in very slowly. Best results are when the water has a ripple on the surface.

The forecast looks good for the weekend so get out there and enjoy

Rangers Trophy Fishing Contest

The annual Rangers Trophy Fishing Contest is coming up on Friday the 16th of April, from 8 am until 1pm. Registration for the competition is free and starts at 8am at Kairaki Beach on the north side of the Waimakariri and must be completed before fishing.
The event, which is a highlight for Waimakariri anglers, has been running thirty years now, ever since a ranger of the acclimatization society snagged a little wooden fishing rod and decided to use that as a trophy for a competition. The rod has been mounted and has a number of names on it. Will yours be next? For more information contact Fish & Game on 03 366 9191.

New threat to Water Conservation Orders:

As some of you may have heard the government is introducing a bill called the Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water) Bill. It includes changes for environment Canterbury such as getting rid of elected councillors and appointing commissioners. Of major concern to Fish and Game is the part of the Bill that completely removes our ability to pursue a Water Conservation Order on the Hurunui. As if this is not bad enough, the Bill also weakens the current protection of existing Conservation Orders on the Ahuriri, Rangitata and Rakaia.

These iconic Canterbury Rivers are now no longer safe from the pressures of development. We have effectively lost the equivalent of having national parks on these rivers. Fish & Game are doing everything possible at a regional and national level to raise awareness of this issue. If you too share our concerns then we encourage you to pursue those concerns by writing to your minister or local MP.

For more information contact Tony Hawker, North Canterbury Fish and Game, 03 366 9191

Prospects for the Easter weekend at this time look good, the present North West winds are expected to abate as a south west change is forecast.

Fishing in the high country continues to produce some good fish for those anglers that adapt to the conditions. One angler enjoyed success at Lake Pearson by fishing into the waves using a small Mrs Simpson, equally good results would be had by spin fishing into the waves when the lake is rough.

Many fishermen will be visiting the Lake Coleridge area and at this time of the season the mouth of the Harper and Ryton rivers will be productive especially in the evening. Be reminded to check dry and clean your equipment as Didymo is present in the Ryton River. The writer of this report recently spent several days fishing in the Coleridge area and was disgusted at the rubbish left lying around the lake edges. Please be a tidy kiwi and respect the beauty of your high country.

On the Salmon scene the Rakaia still sees fish being caught but the catch rate has slowed. On the Waimakariri, from the Gorge Bridge down to Thompsons Road, there are good numbers of salmon. This area of the river is clearing fast so using a small Z Spinner or similar is your best option. One of our rangers landed two fish yesterday on a small white Z Spinner. The Mouth and Macintoshes Rocks still see fish taken but it has slowed as fish move up river. Best options to take a fish in the Waimak are evening and early morning.

Things continue to be slow on the salmon scene. Reports have been coming in of half a dozen salmon being caught each day from the mouth of the Waimakariri and at Mackintoshes. This river has a notoriously late run and there is every chance of an improvement over the next month.

Few fish have been caught at the Rakaia over the last few days. The mouth is narrow and difficult to fish. The cold southerly has been keeping anglers from fishing for in the surf and the south-westerly winds predicted over the weekend are likely to keep conditions difficult. Reports from up river are that conditions are low and clear. Anglers up river advised to drop their gear down to a small zed spinner.

Things have been slow but don’t hang up your rods yet - the month of March is often under-rated. Flows and water temperatures tend to become more favourable in autumn and the fishery comes back to life.

In the last few days a ranger fishing the smaller lakes at Coleridge reported that the weather has chilled and fly life has slowed. He recommended casting out a floating line and tying on a couple of nymphs, such as a green marabou, and twitching it in slowly.
This weekend’s forecast for the high country is not looking brilliant however, as the southwester may bring strong winds to that area.

Fish & Game would like to thank Ron Stewart and helpers for doing a great job organising the Waimakariri Salmon Fishing Competition over the weekend. Not a lot of fish were weighed in but reports were that it was a great day out.

There are a couple of events coming up that are well worth putting in the diary. This Sunday the 14th of March is the Carters Kids Gone Fishing event out at the Groynes from 10am until 1pm. Salmon have been donated from Isaacs for this event.

A productive methods to catch one of these salmon, is to use a float and a worm, or a small pink shrimp as found in your local supermarket. If you are spin fishing, use a small spinner with line under ten pounds and remember the golden rule, dark day, dark spinner, bright day, bright spinner. If you are float fishing and haven’t got a float, use an empty film canister with a little bit of water in it to enable casting and clamp it over your line about a metre from your hook. Use a hook about the same size as your thumb nail. Just remember the Groynes Ponds are a junior fishery and it is an offence to fish these ponds if you are aged over 17 years.

On weekend of the 20 and 21st March, volunteers are invited to help fin-clip salmon at the Montrose Hatchery just upstream of the Rakaia Gorge. A free BBQ lunch will be provided.
Visit http://www.fishandgame.org.nz/Site/Regions/NorthCanterbury/FinClipping.aspx for more details.

Over the last week we had a few flurries of salmon come into the Waimakariri River but very little into any of the other salmon rivers. Nine salmon were caught yesterday morning, four on the Karaki side. A few have been caught at the mouth over the last week. Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come over the next few weeks as the Waimakariri River usually gets it prime fishing right through March. The Southern Alps received a little rain during the week which has added extra water to the rivers and given them some colour which will hopefully entice a few salmon to head upstream over the next few days.

The Rakaia salmon fishing competition is on this weekend and with this added flow, the fishing will probably favor angling in the lower reaches of the river below SH1. With the calm settled weather we have seen, the sea has flattened off around the river mouths and should provide good fishing too.

The rivers came up slightly overnight following a small amount of rainfall in the Southern Alps. Reports this morning are that the Waimakariri is clear and that the Rakaia is marginal at the mouth and lower reaches but clearing quickly.

This warmer weather we are seeing is also aiding high country lake anglers using cicadas and larger insect imitations. Upriver fishing has become challenging, with first and last light the best bet, preferably using light tackle.

High country trout anglers are also enjoying the good river and weather conditions we are experiencing, and forecasts for the weekend look good, with fine weather and light northwesterly winds predicted. Recent drift dives in the Upper Hurunui confirm there are still good numbers of large trout about having fattened up on mice over the summer but these are proving a challenge to catch.

Good luck for the weekend. This is Emily Arthur for Fish & Game.

The last week has been one of mixed fortunes for anglers. Salmon fishermen have struggled with only the occasional fish being caught. The Hurunui has had the odd day where 5 or 6 salmon have been caught, often by only a handful of anglers. The mouth is right down the north end of the lagoon, and the long walk may be discouraging some anglers.

The Rakaia, Rangitata and Waimakariri rivers have been particularly slow with days going by without a fish being seen at the mouth. Further upriver the fishing has been better, but everyone is waiting for the autumn run of fish.

Trout fishermen have enjoyed the settled weather conditions and report seeing large numbers of fish in the backcountry rivers. Some are showing the signs of having been fished to a fair bit and so anglers need to ensure that their first cast is perfect, to avoid sending the fish running for cover.

Nearly 50mm of rain fell in the Alps yesterday, which has brought the braided rivers down in small floods. However floods at this time of year tend to be short-lived and the salmon rivers could be clear by Saturday evening or Sunday. Hopefully the higher flows will have enticed a new run of salmon to enter the river!

Finally Fish & Game wish the 700 competitors in next weekend’s Rakaia River Fishing Competition the best of luck and hope they have a safe and enjoyable experience. Staff will be present on the water and at competition HQ from next Thursday to answer any inquiries. Entries are also open for the March 6 salmon fishing competition on the Waimakariri. This is a new event being run by the New Zealand Salmon Anglers Association to raise funds for salmon enhancement. Entry forms are available from New Brighton Sports and the Fish & Game office.

Ross Millichamp
Fish & Game.

The last week has seen clear rivers and calm conditions which has been perfect for freshwater fishing. Salmon anglers have had to put up with rivers that are a little lower and clearer than they would like but fish are still being caught. Anywhere between one and ten salmon are being caught each day at the Rakaia, Rangitata and Hurunui rivermouths, with fish spread between the surf and the gut. Rakaia anglers should note that the south mouth has now closed and all of the water is now flowing out a single outlet and running north along the beach. The Waimakariri River continues to be slow with only the occasional fish being caught at the mouth or at McIntosh’s Rocks.

Trout anglers have been having a great time, particularly in backcountry rivers. However by this stage of the season the trout tend to become a bit wary with all the attention from local and tourist anglers. People who are prepared to go a little off the beaten track will enjoy the best catches.

Prospects for the weekend are good but watch out for the north west front that is due to hit tomorrow. It is likely to bring strong wind and rain to the high country and could bring the salmon rivers down in flood on Sunday.

Anglers should note that the Waimakariri River is closed to jet boating between the Mt White Bridge and the Gorge Bridge on Saturday. The closure runs from 6am and 9pm, and is to enhance the safety of Coast to Coast competitors who are kayaking through this section in large numbers. Speaking of the Waimakariri, it was announced yesterday that Didymo has been found in this popular river so anglers are asked to be especially careful, and to Check, Clean and Dry their equipment when moving between rivers.

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

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

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

Although non anglers might not appreciate it, the weather over the last week has been perfect for freshwater fishing with clear rivers and light winds. Salmon fishing has started to pick up with steady numbers of fish being caught in most of the rivers. The Rakaia has probably been the pick of them with fish being caught right throughout the catchment. Importantly the odd one is starting to be caught at the mouth which should keep the crowds who fish there happy. Conditions at the Hurunui surf have been perfect and 3-5 salmon are being caught most days. The Waimakariri came to life during the week with half a dozen salmon being caught at McIntosh’s Rocks on Wednesday. The Rangitata has been slow with a rough, dirty surf restricting catches but that has come right in the last couple of days.

Backcountry trout anglers are benefitting from the good river and weather conditions. This season is turning out to be a great one for catching a trophy fish with reports of 4 to 5kg fish becoming commonplace.

Prospects for the weekend are excellent. Earlier this week a northwest front was predicted for the weekend but it has been held at bay by a big anticyclone. The salmon rivers are in perfect shape, although many will be starting to get a little too clear which means that the rivermouths may be the best places to fish. Offshore swells are predicted to be only one metre high and so the surf at the Rangitata, Opihi and Hurunui should be clear and fishable.

World Wetlands Day celebrations are being held this year at Fish & Game’s Boggy Creek Reserve on the edge of Lake Ellesmere. The family event will run from 10am until 3pm tomorrow. For more details refer to the Fish & Game North Canterbury website (this link opens a pdf file).

This is Ross Millichamp for Fish & Game.

After a month of very volatile flows in the braided rivers, the weather has improved in the high country and conditions are starting to return to normal. As is often the case in the aftermath of large floods, salmon fishing has been a little slow. Some anglers believe that big floods wash many of the salmon out of the rivers and it takes a while for them to re-stock from the ocean.

The best salmon fishing has been in the lower reaches of the Rakaia, which has really only been clear for the last couple of days. The Acheron Bluff, which is a large clay cliff at the upper end of the Rakaia Gorge, has been dropping the odd chunk of spoil into the river discolouring the water. The Hurunui rivermouth had been fishing well but has gone quiet in recent days.

Sea run trout fishing has been excellent in the lower Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers with some very large specimens being caught. Trophy fish in excess of four kilograms have been a regular occurrence in recent days.

Trout fishing in the high country rivers has also been excellent. With all of the floods over the last month, most of the trout have not seen an angler for a while and are quite catchable. There continue to reports of plagues of mice in some backcountry rivers, especially those with lots of beech trees in the catchment. Trout tend to feed on mice when they are available and get very large, very quickly. Although the mice are bad news for the native biodiversity, trout anglers do not complain.

Prospects for the weekend are excellent. A very small fresh went through the rivers yesterday but that should be over by the weekend. The next six weeks are likely to offer the best trout and salmon fishing of the season. I hope anglers have kept some leave up their sleeves to take advantage!

Over the last few weeks there have been only limited opportunities for Canterbury anglers due to the frequent nor-westers and southerly weather patterns we have seen and the main rivers have not been salmon fishable since Christmas. There has been the odd salmon picked up in the surf on the south side of the Hurunui Mouth, but there has been very little activity elsewhere. The main rivers look like they might be marginal for lure fishing later this weekend however they have been taking some time to clear in recent weeks with saturated catchments with high base flows, so we may have to wait a little longer than usual for them to clear.

This recent period of prolonged freshes will have enticed the salmon into the rivers so hopefully we get a break from the nor-westers for a while and we get a flurry of salmon activity early next week. The salmon rivers should be an ideal colour for sea-run trout fishing by Sunday which usually produces best results late evening and into the night.

The Ellesmere tributaries continue to fish well with good reports coming from the lower Selwyn and Halswell Rivers. I have not heard reports from Harts Creek or the L2, but I am sure they too are fishing well. These rivers are also best fished at night.

With the weather forecast for southerlies tomorrow anglers might want to head inland to the high country lakes where the weather should be more settled. The lakes in the upper Waimakariri catchment such as Pearson and Grassmere would be worth a fish using either green or brown beetle imitation in the evenings. Lake Coleridge should also still produce fish for trolling anglers especially early morning.

Good luck over the weekend

Dirty rivers have seen another week pass with very little activity on the salmon fishing front in North Canterbury’s rivers. Over the last couple of days there has been the odd salmon picked up in the surf and also by lure anglers in the lower reaches of the main rivers, as this recent period of prolonged freshes will have enticed the salmon into the rivers. With river conditions just coming right anglers should make the most of this opportunity over the weekend before the next fresh arrives. The salmon rivers are also an ideal colour for sea-run trout fishing, which usually produces best results late evening and into the night.

There are a few other options for Canterbury anglers wanting to get out for a fish. North of Christchurch, the Hurunui and Waiau Rivers have a good flow at present with recent freshes giving these rivers a good cleanout and a small veltec spinner should work well. Closer to Christchurch the Ellesmere tributaries continue to fish well, with one angler already taking ten trout weighing well into double figures this season. These rivers are also best fished at night.

Parents wishing to take the kids out over the next week might like to try fishing for herrings at either the Kaiapoi wharf or the Avon/Heathcote Estuary Mouth, accessed through the sand dunes at the end of Rocking Horse Road in South Shore. Try fishing with some cheese on a small hook placed 50cm above a sinker an hour either side of high tide. In the high country, lakes Lyndon, Pearson and Grassmere would be worth a fish using either green or brown beetle imitation in the evenings. Lake Coleridge is also still producing fish for trolling anglers, especially early morning.

The prospects for salmon fishing this weekend are not that great as most of the main rivers dirty and unfishable, with the exception of the Rakaia River which is marginal at present with lure fishing in the lower reaches and spin fishing above the gorge having some success. However this will be short lived, with nor-west rain forecast in the alps over the weekend and it will be the middle of next week at the earliest before the rivers are salmon fishable again.

Before these recent freshes, anglers had started to catch a few sea-run trout in the Waimakariri River around the main road bridges and good numbers were still being caught in the lower Rakaia River. This should continue to improve once the rivers clear.

Over the last few years Fish and Game have increased the stocking program for both salmon and trout. This week Fish & Game have released over 10,000 yearling rainbow trout into most of the high country lakes in the region, with a similar number also going into some of the neighboring Fish & Game regions lakes. Most of our high country lakes continue to fish well with good reports coming from Lakes Coleridge, Georgina and Selfe using a green beetle imitation in the early morning and late evening. Anglers are reporting good catches of previous season’s releases of these rainbow trout, as they have all had their adipose fins clipped.

Closer to Christchurch, the Ashley River is continuing to produce brown trout especially in the evenings with a brown beetle imitation, as are the Lake Ellesmere tributaries.

Anglers are reminded that Fish & Game produce a daily recorded phone message with river flows and likely fishing conditions of the main rivers. Please contact Fish & Game for this number.

Well it all had to come to an end sometime! Freshwater fishing conditions have been fantastic for the last couple of months, with clear rivers and calm conditions prevailing. However a big storm in the Alps this week has brought the braided rivers up in flood. Further rain is predicted for the Alps over the next couple of days so we may be in for a prolonged period of high flows and dirty water. The good news is that these floods should clear out the Didymo which had been building up in the Rakaia and Rangitata.

Salmon fishing prospects for the weekend are going to focus solely on the surf areas alongside rivers such as the Rangitata, Opihi, Rakaia and Hurunui. Offshore winds are predicted which should flatten the surf and could help move the dirty river water offshore, but there is still only a 50:50 chance at best of finding clear water. However if the surf is clear, the fishing can be fantastic so it might be worth a look. Because the prevailing current on the East Coast runs from south to north, you are more likely to find clear water on the south side of these rivermouths.

Trout fishermen are also going to be struggling this weekend. The small sheltered high country lakes look to be the best bet, particularly on Sunday when the worst of the wind and rain is over.

Anglers who are looking for something to do on Saturday could consider helping Fish & Game with the Fin-clipping day at the Montrose Hatchery. Meet at the Yaldhurst Pub carpark at 8am to join the convoy heading for Montrose.

With the holiday season about to start, water safety should be a top consideration for anglers. Burnsco Marine in Blenheim Road are again offering trade prices on life jackets and inflatable vests to anglers who show their fishing licence when making a purchase.

Over the last week, we have seen some fantastic salmon fishing in Canterbury. All the rivers were clear and fishable until Monday when a fresh discoloured the main rivers, however this fresh was not large enough to give the rivers the cleanout they require. The small fresh added a little colour to the larger rivers so they are in great condition now and will be ideal for the weekend.

The Rakaia has been the standout fishery with a good pulse of salmon entering the river on Tuesday and Wednesday. Reports from a number of anglers that were fishing these two days, were that there were plenty of salmon about with most anglers reporting success. A large proportion of the salmon being caught so far this season are some of the best conditioned fish seen for a number of years with plenty weighing well into the 20 pound plus bracket. The lower reaches of the Rakaia River is the preferred area to fish at present with the gut at the river mouth too narrow to fish. The north side of the Rakaia Lagoon is also better suited for fishing, especially for sea run trout late evening with some evenings producing good numbers of these trout in great condition. I have heard very little from any of the other rivers.

The high country lakes continue to fish well with good reports of land locked salmon coming from Lake Coleridge. There has been an unusual shortage of the strong nor-westers we usually get at this time of year, which cause most of the floods we see in the main rivers. Didymo has really taken hold in the Rakaia River from the Gorge down and has recently been found at Kowhai Flats well above the gorge. This is a timely reminder for everyone to check, clean and dry any of their gear that comes into contact with any of our rivers before moving either upstream or onto another river.

Over the last week, we have seen some fantastic fishing in Canterbury. All the rivers have been clear and fishable for some time now, with an unusual shortage of the strong nor-westers we usually get at this time of year which cause most of the floods we see in the main rivers. A small fresh earlier this week added a little colour to these larger rivers so they are in great condition now and will be ideal for the weekend.

Last Friday saw five salmon caught at the Rakaia River Mouth with many more also seen. There have been salmon caught most days since and reports from anglers are that the salmon caught so far seem to be larger than average. There have also been a few salmon taken at MacIntoshes Rocks in the lower Waimakariri River, one of which was close to 25 pounds. Following these increased flows we have seen in recent days, the lower reaches of all the salmon rivers will be holding salmon now and hopefully more will be entering these rivers.

Fishing for sea-run trout has been patchy recently with some evenings at the Rakaia Mouth producing many nice trout, some well into double figures, followed by periods when anglers can’t seem to get them to bite. Fishing for sea-run trout in the late evenings should continue to improve right through to Christmas.

The high country lakes have been difficult to fish over the last week due to wind, however with the weather warming up, an increase in insect hatches should liven up the activity for those wishing to fly fish these lakes. Closer to Christchurch, the low country streams have been fishing well with anglers reporting good results using brown beetle imitations in the evenings.

I am pleased to report we are starting to see a few salmon caught at the Rakaia River Mouth and there will no doubt be a few more about in the lower reaches of the river. The larger east coast rivers have been very low and clear for some time now and as such the salmon have been slow to appear, so the next nor-wester should hopefully entice them to head into the rivers. These stable, low flows we are experiencing at this time of year have the benefit of producing favourable conditions in the headwaters of the main rivers, which typically see fresh after fresh this time of the year and all the Canterbury rivers will therefore be in great condition for trout fishing over the weekend. Spin fishing a veltec spinner should produce good results in the upriver reaches.

The upper Hurunui and Waiau Rivers would be worth a visit this weekend as there should be good numbers of sea-run trout in the lower reaches. This year also looks like it is going to be a good mouse year in the high country, with a few trout recently caught in the headwaters full of mice. These two rivers had been flowing quite high for some time however their flows have dropped and these rivers should fish well through to Christmas.

The high country lakes continue to fish well, although the cooler weather has limited the insect activity and trout are feeding on aquatic life rather than rising to flies. Anglers will get best results with a slow retrieved nymph, or a small Hamills Killer or Mrs Simpson feathered lure. Nice condition trout have been caught in both Lake Georgina and Lake Lyndon and there have also been some nice trout taken from Lake Pearson.

We are starting to see good numbers of sea-run trout at the Rakaia mouth, although fishing for these has been patchy and is probably best after dark.

With the absence of freshes in the main rivers recently, didymo has started to bloom and this is a timely reminder to check, clean and dry your gear when out on the rivers.

AGM: Wednesday 25th November at 7pm

The North Canterbury Fish & Game Council warmly invites you to attend the 2009 Annual General Meeting at 7pm at 3 Horatio Street, Christchurch.

Highlights include a slideshow of Fish & Game Officer Steve Terry’s visit to hatcheries and habitat restoration projects in Canada; presentation of the Annual Report; and a question and answer session, where you can ask that burning question. All are welcome.

By Ross Millichamp for Fish & Game.

We are currently in the middle of a very busy time of year for freshwater fishermen. With Labour Weekend, High Country Lakes Opening Weekend and Christchurch Show Weekend falling one after the after, there has got to be a lot of fishing widows out there at present.

The opening of the High Country Lakes season last weekend went really well. More than 300 anglers turned up for the fishing competition on Lake Coleridge sponsored by Fish and Game and Hamills Sports, and more than 150 fish were weighed in. Other high country lakes such as Lakes Selfe, Grasmere and Heron also fished very well.

The fishing has been slow on the big braided rivers, which have been running low and clear for some weeks. I have had no further reports of salmon being caught, but the sea run trout fishery is ticking over nicely, although anglers are having to go out after dark in order to be successful.

Prospects for the holiday weekend are excellent. Today’s southerly is predicted to clear up this afternoon and the rest of the weekend should be fine and settled. The high country rivers and lakes look to be an excellent prospect especially to fly fisherman who like calm and settled conditions. Nelson Marlborough Fish and Game advise that this is the last weekend that anglers will be able to use the Acheron Road on Molesworth Station before it is shut up until after Christmas. If you want to fish the Acheron River this year, this weekend is your last chance.

Show Weekend is typically the time when the first significant salmon catches occur for the season. I would be very surprised if we don't have some good stories to pass on in next week's report with the rivers being clear and fishable and a lot of anglers likely to be out on the water.

I am pleased to say the first salmon has been caught at the Rakaia River Mouth for the season and there will no doubt be a few more in the lower reaches of the river. The larger east coast rivers have been very low and clear for some time now and as such the salmon have been slow to appear, so the rain we had in the alps mid week may be the extra that is needed to entice a few more salmon into the rivers.

The mid reaches of the Waimakariri River below the gorge has been producing some nice trout in recent weeks, as has the lower Ashley and also the Lake Ellesmere tributaries with some nice sea-run trout taken. Fishing for these sea-run trout has also picked up at the Rakaia Mouth and there are probably a few starting to show up in the Waimakariri between the Old Main South Road and State Highway One bridges.

The Hurunui and Waiau Rivers have been flowing quite high for some time, however as flows drop following the spring snow thaw these rivers should fish well.

Tomorrow sees the opening of the high country lakes and will be celebrated this year with a fishing competition at Lake Coleridge with a prize pool valued at over $10,000 dollars. Casual camping is permitted for anglers at Ryton Bay where the competition will be based.

The odds aren’t bad either, with Fish and Game annually releasing over 100,000 salmon into Lake Coleridge and a further 10,000 yearling rainbow trout into the surrounding lakes.

The weather forecast for tomorrow doesn’t look too bad either, so this is a great opportunity to take the family into the high country and enjoy the great recreational angling resources this area has to offer.

Good luck for those entering the competition.

Steve Terry
Fish & Game Officer

The larger North Canterbury Rivers have not seen a fresh for a couple of months now. These rivers have been very low and clear for much of this time and as such the salmon have been slow to appear. The odd salmon has been spotted in the Hurunui with reports of one caught and a few have also been seen in the lower Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers, but I have yet to hear of any taken in these rivers. I am sure there will be a few in the lower reaches of the rivers and this would be a good bet for anglers this weekend.

Trout fishing upriver can be quite rewarding during these low clear flows and both the upper Rakaia River around Kowhai Flat and the mid reaches of the Waimakariri River below the Gorge have been producing some nice trout in the side braids and holes in recent weeks. The forecast is for good weather over the weekend, so this is a great opportunity to enjoy these winter low flows we currently have before the nor-westers bring on the spring floods.

The lowland rivers such as the Ashley River have been fishing well recently with reports of some of the best conditioned trout seen in many years being caught on thread line, with the rivers flowing higher than normal due to the regular southerlies we have had.

The Hurunui and Waiau Rivers are also flowing quite high at present and it may be some time before these begin to fish well.

A reminder to anglers, that the high country lakes open on Saturday the 7th November, which is only a week away now and will be celebrated this year with a fishing competition at Lake Coleridge with a prize pool valued at $10,000 dollars.

The odds aren’t bad either; with Fish and Game releasing on average 100,000 salmon fry a year into Lake Coleridge and a further 10,000 yearling rainbow trout into the surrounding lakes. The competition is a great opportunity to take the family fishing on Lake Coleridge, or the surrounding lakes and enjoy the great recreational angling resources this area has to offer.

I have heard of one salmon caught at the Hurunui Mouth and there have been a few salmon seen in the Rakaia in recent weeks but nothing has been caught there as yet, however we normally hear of a few taken over Labour weekend each year.

With rain falling in the foothills over the last couple of days the Ashley and Hurunui Rivers may end up discoloured for the weekend, but the other main rivers should be clear and fishable. The Ashley has seen a few sea-runs taken in the lower reaches recently and there should be quite a few trout in the river from the mouth up to Rangiora when the river clears.

Fishing the middle reaches of the larger rivers with a small veltec spinner or rapala would be well worth a look this weekend, as most of the rivers have had good flows for some time now and have not had much fishing pressure as yet this season. Rivers such as the Waiau and Hurunui have had flows well above average in recent weeks and as such have seen very little fishing this season.

For parents wanting to take the kids out locally, there should still be plenty of salmon and trout in the Groynes Lakes following the annual Take a Kid Fishing event last Sunday which saw around 300 of the 600 released fish taken.

Good luck over the long weekend.

Steve Terry
Fish & Game Officer

Yesterday was one of the big days of the year for freshwater fishermen, as it signalled the opening of the new fishing season. Anglers were greeted with clear rivers and relatively calm conditions, and for once opening day lived up to their expectations. At this stage reports are slow to trickle through; -I suspect that a lot of anglers have taken Thursday and Friday off and made a long weekend out of opening day.

The few reports we have received , suggest that the anglers who fished the high country rivers did well, in part due to the good conditions and also to the fact that the trout had grown unaccustomed to anglers over the winter. It is important to remember that the high country lakes do not open until the start of November so we have yet to know how they are going to fish this season.

The sea run trout fishery of the Lower Rakaia River, is one of the best in New Zealand, but often does not start to produce fish in numbers until early summer. However reports from opening day suggest that the run has started early, although they are likely to be a little skinny this early in the season.

The Lake Ellesmere system is a popular spot for trout fishermen in the first few months of the season. This year, flows in the tributary streams are healthy and prospects look excellent.

Prospects for the weekend are likely to be affected by the weather. Heavy rain is predicted to fall in the Southern Alps today and tomorrow, before clearing on Sunday. Most of the snow fed rivers are likely to be dirty for the weekend. Anglers are advised to look at foothill rivers such as the Selwyn and Ashley which are not affected by northwest rain.

This is Ross Millichamp for Fish and Game hoping you have a wonderful weekend out on the water.

Reminder to hunters and fishermen that warnings of toxic algal blooms in rivers and lakes remain in place in some areas of Canterbury.  Visit Environment Canterbury's website for more information on what the algae looks like.

North Canterbury areas

In particular, in the North Canterbury areas, the toxic algae Phormidium is present in the Selwyn River, Ashley River, lower Hurunui River (below SH7) and some parts of the Waiau River. River users are advised to keep dogs out of these rivers.

The toxic algae Nodularia is still present in Lake Ellesmere/Te Waihora and Lake Forsyth/Wairewa. Again people and dogs should keep out of areas where there are scums or foams on the lake shore, and when the water is a bright green or blue-green coloration.

Central South Island

The toxic algae Phormidium is present in the Opihi River from at least Hanging Rock and further downstream.

Other areas

Toxic algae may be present in other rivers or ponds, and people should avoid any areas where there is thick algal growths (dark brown/black mats in rivers - or bright green or red scums in lakes and ponds).

Volunteers are urgently required to help fin-clip salmon at the Montrose Hatchery this Saturday 4th April. A free BBQ lunch will be provided. This is an ideal opportunity to take the whole family out for the day with a variety of different fish to have a look at. To get to the hatchery, head South approximately 2 km from the Rakaia Gorge, take the first turn to your right up Blackford Rd and head up approximately 6 km where you will see a Fish & Game banner on a fence, head down the track past the ponds until you reach the hatchery.

Read more...

Steve Terry, Fish and Game Officer

At last we have some positive news to report on salmon fishing in the region. The Waimakariri River is finally starting to yield good numbers of salmon. Many anglers had all but given up on salmon fishing for the season, however this week has seen up to twenty salmon caught each day in the lower reaches of the Waimak, with the mouth, Macintosh’s Rocks and the Banana Hole all yielding fish. The Kaiapoi has also seen a few caught.

Light tackle such as veltec spinners and small z-spinners seems to be the favoured gear with the low and clear flows we have present. The salmon we are seeing are likely to remain in the lower tidal reaches of the river until we get the next fresh.

Anglers at both the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers are still getting a few salmon each day at the mouth and in the lower reaches.

I have heard very little about trout fishing, however with all the warm weather we have been getting, there is still quite a bit of insect activity in the high country and the trout will still be feeding actively to gain condition before they go into spawning mode.

Good luck over the weekend.

It has been somewhat of a mixed week on the salmon scene with the Waimakariri River continuing to be slow. Below the State Highway One Bridge on the mainstream of the river anglers are averaging about five salmon per day. The Kaiapoi River is continuing to provide anglers with success for those who fish with shrimp and use a trout sized spinner such as a veltec or a toby.

The Rakaia at the moment is a great colour for those who want the best opportunity to catch a salmon this would be a good weekend. Fish are being caught throughout the river but reports received indicate best catches are at the mouth and up to the state highway one bridge.These fresh fish will quickly move up the river.

North Canterbury Fish and Game require the assistance of volunteers to fin clip salmon at out Montrose Hatchery. We are planning on fin clipping the salmon over the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of March. Volunteers are invited to meet at the Yaldhurst Pub at 8.00am each day to organise transportation or you can arrange your own and meet at Montrose Hatchery at 9.15am.

Parents are also reminded that a lot of families have enjoyed the benefits and pleasure of catching some of the 900 salmon that we released into the Groynes ponds, remember that this is a junior fishery for those anglers under 17 years.
We are happy to see parents helping the little ones but please make sure you give them the thrill of landing a fish once it is hooked.

The most productive method is to use a float and a fresh shrimp or worm attached about a metre under the float.

This is Mel from Fish and Game have a great weekend.

Steve Terry, Fish and Game Officer

The fishing conditions for the weekend are generally good, with both the Rakaia and Waimak rivers coming off a fresh, which should encourage salmon into these rivers.
Great news for families this weekend through the generosity of Silverstream Hatchery. Fish & Game have been donated 900 salmon, with an average weight of over three pounds, which are being released as we speak into the Groynes Ponds. Good numbers of these salmon are up to six pounds. This is the largest number of salmon that have been released in one drop into the Groynes. This gives families a great opportunity to get out there this weekend and catch a fish.

Some of the most productive methods to catch one of these salmon, is to use a float and a worm, or a small pink shrimp as found in your local supermarket. If you are spin fishing, use a small spinner with line under ten pounds and remember the golden rule, dark day, dark spinner, bright day, bright spinner. If you are float fishing and haven’t got a float, use an empty film canister with a little bit of water in it to enable casting and clamp it over your line about a metre from your hook. Use a hook about the same size as your thumb nail.

North Canterbury Fish & Game encourages families to fish the Groynes Ponds this weekend, however anglers are reminded that the Groynes Ponds are a junior fishery and it is an offence to fish these ponds if you are aged over 17 years. We have no objections to parents assisting their children to fish, but remember that this is for the kids. Entrance to the ponds is through the normal Groynes entrance, past the children’s playground and continue on towards Clearwater Resort where you will see the ponds. Have a great weekend.

by Ian Mccrory, Fish and Game

All rivers in the North Canterbury region are presently fishable; however rain is forecast in the mountains today and over the weekend which may affect river levels.
Saturday would be the preferred option should anglers be hoping to catch a salmon.

The lower Waimakariri continues to be slow with only up to five salmon caught each day. Following the rivers recent fresh we have had several reports of salmon being taken in the middles reaches of the river around the Courtney area.

Anglers are reminded that the annual rangers fishing competition is to be held at the river mouth on the south side Friday 13th.starting at 7.00am

The Rakaia River is now fishable following a recent fresh. Good numbers of sea run trout are being caught at the mouth and these fish are in prime condition. Salmon fishing at the mouth has been slow but fish are being caught between SH1 bridge and Steels road.

Recent floods in both the Waiau and Hurunui should see salmon entering these rivers, spin fishing has been productive with anglers fishing for trout and now that these two rivers are a good colour for salmon they would be well worth a fish over the weekend.

On the trout scene the high country lakes continue to see good sized fish caught with one angler reporting success fishing in the evening at both the Harper and Ryton river mouths at Lake Coleridge.

Due to recent low flows and clear water in both the Rakaia and Waimakariri rivers several fly fisherman enjoyed good fishing in the side braids of these rivers using a dry fly.

This is Ian Mccrory for Fish and Game.

Brian Ross, Fish and Game Officer

This report is unashamedly targeted for our salmon fishing clients.

The Rakaia River has been unfishable following a 950 cumec flood last weekend.
The present flow, of 190 odd cumecs should mean that the river will be in top condition for the weekend ahead.

Fortunately, this coincides with the annual Rakaia Salmon Fishing Competition, so those of you entered, should have some of the best salmon fishing conditions we have seen for a while.

By all accounts, there are plenty of salmon throughout the length of river available – that is, from the mouth upstream to the “White Posts” at and opposite Lake Coleridge.

Fish and Game Rangers will be patrolling the river to ensure that everyone is playing the game according to the same rule book.

For those anglers not involved in the competition, please exercise tolerance to the increased numbers of fishers out on the river. Please be generous with your allowances of minor fishing etiquette infractions that are bound to occur from time to time.

The Waimakariri River should also be in good condition for the weekend. While the Brooklands side was regularly producing fish, it is too soon to know if the recent flood has altered the channel on that side. I expect we’ll know by Sunday.

The Kairaki Beach based “Rangers Trophy” fishing competition is set down for 7.00am on Friday 13th March. While it was never intended to be a high prize value competition, it is never the less well supported by a number of generous sponsors.
The enduring true value of the Rangers Trophy competition lies not in prizes, but in the continued camaraderie that is generated between the participants.

Whatever fishing you do this weekend, or wherever you do it, we wish you well.

10 February 2009

In view of a recent tragedy and several near mishaps at the Rakaia mouth Fish & Game North Canterbury has negotiated a deal on a self inflating lifejacket for licence holders.

Call in and see the friendly team at with the local Burnsco branch on Blenheim Road, present your current fishing licence and you will receive a trade price discount on your new lifejacket.

Play it safe out there on the water no matter where you are. The self inflating lifejacket does not inhibit your activity but can save your life. Check out the jackets on offer at the Burnsco website.

Steve Terry, Fish and Game Officer

Recent hot weather has further reduced river flows in the regions lowland streams and staff have been active in salvaging fish. Trout up to 3kg and in good condition have been salvaged from the lower Ashley and placed further upstream into permanent water. In the lower Selwyn there are still large numbers of trout around the upper huts area. These fish are well worth fishing for on a dry fly or small spinner in the evening.

Staff have just completed the annual release of over 7,000 rainbow trout into the regions high country lakes and anglers spoken to report continued catches of good conditioned brown and rainbow trout in most of the high country lakes. The recent hot weather has produced some good insect hatches and fisherman have taken advantage of this activity enjoying some excellent fishing.

On the salmon scene the Waimakariri is starting to see more salmon caught in the lower reaches and as the river cools more fish will move upstream. Over the last few weeks the Rakaia has seen fish taken throughout the river and although very clear, those anglers that have reduced their spinner size have had good results and again the productive times are early morning and late evening. Over the last few days there have also been good numbers of salmon caught in the gut each day at both the Rakaia and Rangitata mouths. The Rakaia mouth has also been fishing reasonably well for sea run trout in the evenings, many of which are now in prime condition. One of our rangers landed a fine 12lb sea run brown trout

Heavy rain is forecast in the mountains today and the weekend, if this occurs then the major salmon rivers will be expected to rise in level so we would suggest that Saturday is your best opportunity to fish.

Steve Terry, Fish and Game Officer

Recent hot weather has further reduced river flows in the regions lowland streams and staff have been active in salvaging fish. Trout up to 3kg and in good condition have been salvaged from the lower Ashley and placed further upstream into permanent water. In the lower Selwyn there are still large numbers of trout around the upper huts area. These fish are well worth fishing for on a dry fly in the evening.

Staff have just completed the annual release of over 7,000 rainbow trout into the regions high country lakes and anglers spoken to report continued catches of good conditioned brown and rainbow trout in most of the high country lakes. The recent hot weather has produced some good insect hatches and fisherman have taken advantage of this activity enjoying some excellent fishing.

On the salmon scene the Waimakariri is starting to see more salmon caught in the lower reaches and as the river cools more fish will move upstream. Over the last few weeks the Rakaia has seen fish taken throughout the river and although very clear, those anglers that have reduced their spinner size have had good results and again the productive times are early morning and late evening. Over the last few days there have also been good numbers of salmon caught in the gut each day at both the Rakaia and Rangitata mouths. The Rakaia mouth has also been fishing reasonably well for sea run trout in the evenings, many of which are now in prime condition.

Anglers are reminded that the river mouths must be treated with respect as fast moving shingle, coupled with waves breaking around fisherman has resulted in the tragic loss of an angler, plus the rescue of another person from the surf in the last few weeks.

Good luck over the weekend.

The main rivers have been clear and fishable for well over a week now, which is the best we have seen all season. The flows in the main rivers have dropped right off, with the Rakaia fishing well in all reaches. Upriver fishing seems to be the favoured spot, as there is still a bit of colour in the water. Anglers at the Rakaia Mouth have also had some great days, with up to 20 salmon caught one day. The Waimak has started to see a few more caught at McIntosh’s Rocks, and with the water temperature dropping a few degrees over the last few days, hopefully this should entice a few salmon into the river. When rivers drop and clear as they are at present, the best bet for anglers in the first and last hour each day. Anglers are reminded to take extra care around the river mouths, especially when the surf is a bit rough.

On the trout scene there are still a few nice trout being caught in the Ellesmere tributaries. There are also good numbers of sea-run trout being caught at the Rakaia mouth. The majority of fish are again being caught in the late evening or at night.
Being relatively handy to Christchurch, Lake Lyndon is getting plenty of angler attention and good numbers of rainbow trout are being caught. Spin fisherman are finding either a veltec or rapala lure are proving to be very productive.

The balance of the lakes in the upper Rakaia/Waimak catchments have had a boost in numbers over the last week, with around 7,000 rainbow trout yearlings released into these lakes. (See Rakaia lakes and Waimakariri lakes). With the favourable weather conditions we have been experiencing lately, boaties need to be wary of the weather change forecast for later this weekend as lake conditions can change very quickly.

Good luck over the weekend.

All rivers in the North Canterbury region are clear and fishable and will remain so for the weekend.

Last weekend anglers enjoyed good fishing in the Rakaia which indicates that fish are right through the river system. River anglers are enjoying more success than those at the mouth.

Reports on the Waimak are that only a few fish have been caught to date, with one or two a day being taken at Macintoshes rocks and nothing at the mouth. The channel at this stage is on the south side of the river. Several anglers have taken good numbers of salmon in the Kaiapoi using a small z spinner.

Rangitata anglers have reported that five or six salmon have been consistently taken in the lower reaches each day. The gut seems to be the favourite spot. Nothing has been taken in the surf as it has been too rough for some time. If the sea flattens off this weekend, coupled with low river flows there should be some good fishing in the surf in both the Rakaia and the Rangitata. The Waimak and Rakaia are very clear so the most productive time for salmon would be early morning and evening. We have heard that there as been very little salmon activity in both the Hurunui and Waiau rivers, but due to the lower flows, trout fishing should be productive.

Locally the trout fishing has slowed due to falling water levels and fish salvages are likely to take place in the Ashley river. We would appreciate any reports of stranded fish. Trout of a good size and condition are still being caught at the Selwyn mouth, mainly in the evenings and a smelt imitation seems to be the best option. On the high country scene we continue to have good reports that all lakes are fishing well.

They are starting to move in the Rakaia …Salmon that is.

Over the last couple of weeks between floods anglers report good numbers of fish in the lower reaches of the river.

One angler landed two fish in excellent condition below the SH1 bridge on a yellow lure, and another angler landed a nice conditioned 17lb hen fish in the same area.

The current fresh will only bring more fish into the river so once the flow reaches around the 250cm level fisherman should find salmon throughout the Rakaia system.
There have been no reports of salmon being caught in the Waimakariri but anglers have reported fish sightings in the lower reaches.

While on the subject of salmon it is with regret that we record the recent passing of Ron Dougherty. Ron will leave a large gap in our salmon management. He was previously president of the New Zealand Salmon Anglers Association a position he held for 10years.

Sea run brown trout in good condition continue to be caught in both the Mak and the Rakaia.

While there seems to be more angler pressure on our high country lakes this season they continue to produce fish, both fly and spin fisherman report good catches.
Spin anglers who fish in the rough conditions that tend to prevail with northwest winds on our lakes are doing well by using a strong back wind to achieve a longer cast.
Several spin fishermen using a float with around a two metre trace and a small lure or wet fly attached had results by letting it float out a good distance and retrieving it slowly.

Again the old standby fly at this time of the year is the green beetle fished to a cruising trout ensures that the angler’s skills are tested however the results are rewarding.

While the Ashley River in the lower reaches is getting very low the evening fly fisherman using light gear and a brown beetle imitation are doing very well.

From all of us here at Fish and Game we thank you for your support during the year and wish you tight lines and a Merry Christmas.

The prospects for salmon fishing this weekend are still not that flash with all the main rivers still dirty and unfishable. However with the Rakaia at 300 cumecs, it may become fishable by Sunday. The Rakaia should be trout fishable as of now and good catches of sea-run brown trout were reported before the last fresh. Also reasonable quantities of salmon were seen moving into the river before the last fresh and with a favorable weather forecast this weekend in the high country, anglers would be well advised to try for an early season salmon on Sunday.

Closer to Christchurch the Ashley River is continuing to produce fish especially in the evenings with a brown beetle imitation, as are the Lake Ellesmere inflowing streams.
Over the last few years Fish and Game have increased our stocking program for both salmon and trout. This time last year Fish & Game released over 10,000 yearling rainbow trout into most of the high country lakes in the region. Anglers have been reporting good catches of these takable fish in prime condition using both fly and spinning methods.

With a good outlook in the back country this weekend, boaties would be well advised to try Lake Coleridge with shore anglers finding the most productive times very early morning or late evening. Lake Coleridge has had an average of over 80,000 salmon released into it for the last few years and anglers are reporting some good catches of these too.

A recent didymo check of the Waimakariri River showed that the invasive algae is not yet in the river and anglers are reminded of the importance of the check, clean and dry your equipment when moving between waterways.

Good luck over the weekend.

Steve Terry for Fish & Game

The main rivers have again been very high and dirty all week following heavy rain in the southern alps. They will not be fishable until well into next week assuming no further rain in the alps. However, once the big rivers do clear, we should start to see a few salmon about. Previous to this flood we received reports of reasonable numbers of salmon moving up the Rakaia River. The river mouth is now entering the sea at the south end.

On the trout scene good catches are being reported in the Lake Ellesmere area with both the Selwyn and L2 producing fish with a very nice conditioned 9 pound brown trout taken during the week on a brown beetle. The majority of fish are being caught in the evening or later.

Being relatively handy to Christchurch, Lake Lyndon is getting plenty of angler attention and good numbers of rainbow trout are being caught. Spin fisherman are finding either a veltec or rapala lure is productive and the fly fisherman’s good old green beetle is working well.

The balance of the lakes in this area are fishing well and good sized fish have been caught on the dry fly. One lucky angler caught and released a good conditioned 10 pound trout from Lake Pearson. Boat fisherman also report good catches of salmon at Lake Coleridge. With the present weather conditions we are experiencing, boaties must be wary of lake conditions as they can change very quickly.

Anglers are also reminded that all streams flowing into lakes opened on the first of December.

Fish & Game are in the process of seeking a conservation order on the Hurunui River, and request anyone who would like this river protected in its natural state for future generations, should put in a submission before the 15th December.

Fish & Game are looking for volunteers to help fin clip approximately 15,000 rainbow trout yearlings tomorrow. This is a great opportunity to bring the family up for a look around the Montrose hatchery above the Rakaia Gorge where there are also over 100,000 salmon fry and 40,000 rainbow trout fry growing for release later next year.
Volunteers interested in helping can meet at the Yaldhurst Pub at 8am tomorrow morning or meet at the Montrose hatchery at 9:30am. A BBQ lunch will be provided.

Good luck over the weekend.

Steve Terry for Fish & Game

There is not a lot to report on as far as salmon fishing goes over the last week as all the main rivers have been very high and dirty since the weekend following heavy rain in the alps. They are unlikely to be fishable this weekend. However, once the big rivers do clear, we should start to see a few salmon about. If you haven’t done so already this season, now would be a great time to check over your gear, and get your reels serviced and replace your line and any rusty trebles. It may also be a good time to weed that garden so that when the rivers do clear, you can get a leave pass.
One river that would be worth a look over the weekend is the Ashley River as it is discoloured but trout fishable and there should be a few sea-run trout showing up in the lower reaches by now.

It has been brought to our attention by several anglers that people are using live bait rigs in Lake Lyndon, and while we do have rangers in the area, we can’t be there all the time, so should you see this illegal activity, do not get involved in any discussions with anglers, but we would appreciate a vehicle number and if possible a photo which enables our field staff to make contact with these offenders.

Fish & Game are planning on fin clipping approximately 15,000 rainbow trout yearlings on Saturday the 6th December. This is a great opportunity to bring the family up for a look around the hatchery where there are also over 100,000 salmon fry and 40,000 rainbow trout fry growing for release later next year.

Volunteers interested in helping can meet at the Yaldhurst Pub at 8am on Saturday the 6th of December or meet at the Montrose hatchery at 9:15am.

Good luck over the weekend.

Steve Terry for Fish & Game

The hot topic amongst many anglers at this time of the year is have there been any salmon seen and even more important have any been caught. Salmon fishing in the region has yet to really take off however I have heard that there were four salmon caught at the Rangitata Mouth last weekend.

Latest reports from anglers at the lower Waimakariri are that several have reported early season sightings and we have a confirmation of one being caught on the south side of the river mouth.

The Rakaia as one would expect for this time of the year has seen the odd one caught in the river upstream from the mouth, and whitebaiters have seen the odd fish proposing as they enter the river.

On the trout scene anglers are starting to report improving catches of sea run trout in the lower Rakaia, and they should fatten up over the next month or so on whitebait and silveries. The Rakaia mouth is still flowing out to sea on the north side opposite the boat ramp and is well within walking distance for fisherman. The Waimakariri this season has not really fired yet and those anglers who fish this area have reported less than normal catches.

For anglers fishing the Ashley as the warmer evenings approach, the river between the Rangiora bridge and SH1 gives the fly fisherman the chance to fish during the mayfly hatch, and while fish are not large, there are reasonably good numbers available. Be reminded not to 4WD over the river bed as this disturbs nesting birds.

The high country lakes continue to fish well with good reports coming from Lakes Coleridge, Georgina and Selfe. There has been the first sign of cicadas around this week so anglers should have some large imitation terrestrial flies in their gear. Anglers are reminded that unfortunately Lakes Ida and Monk are walking access only with the new DOC track starting at the head of Lake Evelyn.

Good luck for the weekend.

Steve Terry for Fish & Game

The weather is beginning to settle and the days are heating up as is the fishing. Dry weather in the high country for the rest of the week means the major braided rivers which are currently dirty should be fishable for the weekend and increasing numbers of baitfish should bring in the sea run trout that have been hard to find up until now.
The odd salmon has been landed in the Rangitata and Rakaia rivers over the past fortnight and may provide a welcome addition to the catch with runs of large fish historically occurring around show weekend.

The high country lakes have been fishing well and the relatively settled weekend forecast would make Lake Coleridge a good option for a weekend destination with many well conditioned salmon and rainbow trout being produced during the opening weekend fishing competition.

The Hurunui River has been fishing well above the South Branch confluence with large numbers of 2-4 lb fish present. As the flow drops towards its lowest point in three months, the lower reaches which have had very little fishing pressure so far should also fish well.

Good hatches of brown beetles and mayflies have been occurring in many of the rivers close to Christchurch with the Ashley being a popular destination on a warm, calm evening. The many small sea run trout and the odd larger one rise freely. The high fish numbers are a result of sustained high spring flows.

High spring rainfall has also improved the fishing in many other lowland rivers with the Opihi, Ashburton and Selwyn all fishing well early season and all containing good numbers of sea run fish in the lower reaches.

Tip of the Week

If the fish are proving difficult to catch, revert to one of the classic well known lures. They are popular for a reason!!

Last weekend saw the opening of the high country lakes in the region. The good old Canterbury nor-wester showed up as usual and many anglers did not get out for a fish until Sunday morning. Boaties in Canterbury should beware of these strong nor-westers, especially on the larger lakes like Coleridge and Sumner as a large messy chop can build very quickly once the wind hits, which often catches smaller boats out.
The other high country lakes fished well over the weekend and many of the trout that were caught seem to be in good condition. High country anglers please remember all rivers flowing into high country lakes such as the Ryton River, the Harper River and the Hurunui River above Lake Sumner do not open until the 1st of December. The main salmon spawning streams are also closed to angling so please check your regulation booklet before heading for the hills.

As far as salmon fishing goes, there was one salmon caught in the Rangitata River last Saturday and a few others have been seen in the lower reaches by white baiters. The main rivers are in good condition at present and I am sure we will see a few salmon caught this weekend. We expect salmon to start showing up in reasonable numbers from now on and hopefully we are in for a great season.

We are starting to see good numbers of sea-run trout in the lower reaches of the main rivers but their condition is not that great yet. Give them a few more weeks feeding on silveries and they should fatten up nicely.

Parents wishing to take the kids out for a fish still have a good chance of a salmon at the Groynes Lakes as these were recently stocked with salmon for the Take A Kid Fishing day so there should still be a few nice salmon left.

Good luck for the weekend.

Steve Terry, Fish & Game Officer

25 October 2008

Fish & Game is looking to identify the recruitment patterns and life history of the trout population in the Lake Ellesmere catchment and to assess fish movement through the upper and lower Ellesmere catchment in an attempt to identify the best strategy for fishery improvement. The lowland stream fishery is a significant resource for North Canterbury Region and beyond due to its proximity to Christchurch and smaller urban centres in its vicinity. This study would address significant gaps in our knowledge of this important and topical fishery resource.

At the same time Fish & Game is applying for the Hurunui River Water Conservation Order. As one of the critical components of the application we are looking into the migration patterns and life history of trout in the Hurunui River catchment.

Where to collect fish

We need your help to collect data for these projects. We would appreciate it if you could collect fish from:

• Upper Lake Ellesmere catchment: Upper Selwyn River mainstem (i.e. Coalgate and above), Hawkins River and Hororata River
• Lower Lake Ellesmere catchment: Harts Creek, Boggy Creek, Irwell River; Hanmer Road Drain, Lower Selwyn River, Halswell River, LII River (and LI River) and Kaituna River; and the lake
• Hurunui River (especially North Branch above Lake Sumner, from the lake outlet and above Sister Stream confluence and mid reaches of the river).

What to do

Please use this form to record the the species, sex and precise measurements of all fish caught (length and weight), date and the location where the fish was caught. .

Please send the fish head to the Fish & Game office at 3 Horatio Street, Christchurch.

Davor Bejakovich
Senior Fish & Game Officer

North Canterbury Fish & Game

Last year North Canterbury salmon anglers experienced the best returns since 1997. The standout wild spawning stream in the Waimakariri River was the Poulter River with the highest return on record at 1,600. Manuka Point Stream in the Rakaia River also saw its highest ever returns at 990 salmon. Both the angler catch and total run were the highest seen in a decade from both rivers and angler optimism increased significantly. Other east coast salmon rivers showed similar improved trends.

Read more at the Fish & Game website

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.

Steve Terry, Fish & Game Officer

The Canterbury River Report 24 hour info phone line, administered by Environment Canterbury, is changing to an 0900 number.

“The old river report phone line, which has helped people get updated information on floods, river flows and irrigation restrictions for the past 12 years, is based on old software and equipment that can no longer be reliably maintained,” said Ken Taylor, ECan director of investigations and monitoring. “The new line, 0900 74837 (RIVER) which becomes active on August 1, will provide reliable software support.

“We know that this phone line is an important resource for river users - fishermen, trampers, hunters, commercial operators, farmers who might need to move stock. It needs to be reliable at all times.”

The old line cost 12 cents per minute while the new line is now 50 cents per minute. The new rate covers Telecom’s costs. Environment Canterbury does not benefit financially from the river and flood phone service.

The old line - 083 225522 - will have a new message placed on August 1 informing users of the change. The old number will still be active only for flood alerts until November this year.

For people who are able to access a website, the river, rainfall, flood and irrigation information, recorded on the phone service twice daily and more during floods, is available via the Environment Canterbury website at www.ecan.govt.nz/riverreport

There is also a text messaging service for river information, see also www.ecan.govt.nz/riverreport

Stickers and other information on the River Report 24 hour phone line are available on request, contact 0800 EC INFO (324 636).

Steve Terry, Fish & Game Officer

As the salmon season draws to an end, many anglers believe this years salmon run was the best seen in more than ten years. Many anglers have packed their fishing gear away until next season, however one of the few spots still worth a look this late in the season is the lower Waimakariri River around McIntosh’s Rocks and the mouth, where anglers are still catching a few salmon each day, however nowhere near as many as they were getting a couple of weeks ago where 30 to 40 were being caught some days in these lower reaches. The salmon run in the Waimakariri River is later than the other rivers and anglers still have a week or two left before things quieten off in the Waimak.

All the North Canterbury rivers have been very low and clear for much of the last two months and salmon fishing has slowed right off in most of the rivers. The main rivers had a small fresh last weekend following rain in the alps but flows have quickly receded back to low flow levels. With nor-west rain forecast in the Southern Alps over the weekend, hopefully the rivers come down in another fresh later in the weekend and trigger salmon movement.

Reports I have heard indicate that there are still reasonable numbers of salmon in the upper reaches of the rivers below the white posts and fishing in both the Rakaia and Waimakariri Gorges has been yielding a few salmon for keen anglers in recent weeks, although these are becoming increasingly harder to catch as the season comes to an end. The Waiau and Hurunui Rivers have quietened right off now with only the odd salmon caught in recent weeks.

Salmon fishing in the Groynes fishing lakes has slowed off also but anglers are still catching the odd salmon in the lake closest to the Clearwater golf course. The best bet for parents wishing to take their kids for a fish is at first and last light using any of the authorised methods.

Steve Terry, Fish & Game Officer

North Canterbury Rivers have not seen a fresh for over a month now. All the rivers have been very low and clear for much of this time and salmon fishing has slowed right off in all of the main rivers. Anglers fishing McIntosh’s Rocks, the Banana Hole and the mouth of the Waimakariri River are still catching a few salmon each day, however nowhere near as many as they were getting each day a couple of weeks ago, with up to 40 caught each day in these lower reaches.

Reports I have heard, indicate that there are good numbers of salmon throughout all the main rivers at present and upriver fishing in both the Rakaia and Waimakariri Rivers around the gorges is still yielding a few salmon from the deep pools where they are waiting for the next fresh. The best time to target these salmon while the rivers are low and clear is the first half hour of daylight, as salmon fishing tends to go relatively quiet after this in these conditions. With nor-west rain forecast in the Southern Alps over the next 48 hours, hopefully the rivers come down in a fresh and trigger salmon movement. There should still be plenty of great fishing in the Waimak over the next few weeks but angling in the lower reaches of the other rivers has tapered off for the season.

The Groynes fishing lakes are continuing to fish well for salmon, but please remember these lakes are restricted to anglers 17 years and under. The best bet for parents wishing to take their kids for a fish is again at first and last light using any authorised method.

Trout fishing upriver can be quite rewarding during these low clear flows and both the upper Rakaia and Waimak rivers have been producing some nice trout in the side braids and holes in recent weeks. Please remember that there is no fishing for salmon in the Western Zones of the main rivers.

Good luck over the weekend.

Steve Terry, Fish & Game Officer

North Canterbury Rivers have not seen a fresh for over two weeks now. However salmon fishing has taken off recently in the Waimakariri River as it seems to each year around this time. There have been 30 to 40 salmon taken each day in the lower reaches lately between the Mouth, McIntosh’s Rocks and the Banana Hole which all seem to be fishing well. There were 20 odd salmon taken at the Mouth this morning weighing between 12 and 25 pounds. The Waimakariri River is likely to continue to be the standout river over the next few weeks, including the Kaiapoi River as salmon make there way back to the Silverstream Hatchery where around 60,000 smolt are released each year to help boost returning numbers of adults three years later.

Reports I have heard, indicate that there are good numbers of salmon throughout all the main rivers at present however all the rivers are very low and clear and successful fishing upriver is becoming limited to the twilight hours. Fishing at the river mouths of the other salmon rivers appears to have gone quiet recently so anglers fishing the first hour of light upriver should have the best chance of success.

The Groynes Fishing lakes have continued to fish well and please remember these lakes are restricted to anglers 17 and under.

Trout fishing upriver can be quite rewarding during these low clear flows and the upper Rakaia would be worth a look over the weekend. Please remember that there is no fishing for salmon in the Western Zones of the main rivers.

Good luck over the long weekend.

Brian Ross, Fish & Game Officer

A large high is moving across the country, with light NE winds Saturday, followed by drizzle and a southerly change Sunday.

For salmon fishers, conditions should be good, with the main East Coast salmon river flows at 130 cumecs for the Rakaia, 40 for the Waimak, and the Rangitata has dropped to 60.

Of these rivers, the lower Waimak is the hot spot at the moment for salmon.
While talking about the Waimak, the long running “Ranger’s Trophy” salmon fishing contest is planned for next Thursday, the 20th , starting at 7.30am. This low key event is all about camaraderie and sportsmanship, rather than competing for prizes. All you have to do is register before you start fishing. There is no entry fee.

“Reliable sources” indicate that there are plenty of salmon in the Rakaia between the highway bridge and the gorge.

Fish & Game are seeking assistance from volunteers to finish fin clipping salmon at the Montrose hatchery this Saturday. If you would like to help put something back into your sport, with this essential task, then either meet at the Yaldhurst Hotel carpark at 8.00am, or if you know the way to Montrose, be there by 9.15am. You do not need your waders, and a BBQ lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Fishing at the high country lakes can be a bit erratic, however light winds should make fly fishing the method of choice. High floating dries like the Black Gnat or an attractor such as a Royal Wulff are effective when no visible hatch is taking place.

Steve Terry, Fish & Game Officer

Rivers in North Canterbury have been unfishable for much of the last week after heavy rain in the alps. However the rivers were an ideal salmon fishing colour last weekend which resulted in some great catches in the Rakaia in the Rakaia Salmon Fishing Competition. Regular freshes as we have seen in the main rivers recently are just what the salmon fishery needs to ensure regular salmon passage to the headwaters and favourable salmon fishing conditions for anglers. Reports I have heard, indicate that there are good numbers of salmon throughout all the main rivers following these recent freshes.

The Waimakariri River is likely to be the standout river over the next few weeks, and good numbers of salmon have been seen throughout this river. The Waimak usually fishes better later in the season than the other rivers and should continue to fish well for the next month. McIntosh’s Rocks has been the favoured spot in recent weeks and should continue to yield salmon this weekend with the river clearing after the last fresh. The river mouth has also stared to see a few more salmon caught.
Sea run trout fishing has quietened off as has fishing in the high country lakes with water and air temperatures staring to cool down a little.

Fish & Game and NIWA have recently released close to 1,000 salmon into fisheries around Christchurch for children. 250 of these were released into the Courtenay Pond in Kaiapoi and another 750 were released into the Groynes Fishing lakes. These fisheries are all restricted to anglers 17 and under and all fishing methods should work for these salmon which weigh up to 12 pounds.

Fish & Game are looking for volunteers this weekend to help fin clip 60,000 salmon at the Montrose Hatchery located just above the Rakaia Gorge. If you are able to help on either Saturday or Sunday, please meet at the Yaldhurst Pub at 8am or at Montrose at 9:15am. A BBQ lunch will be provided.

Good luck over the weekend.

Steve Terry, Fish & Game Officer

Over the last week things have started to improve again for Canterbury salmon anglers.

Recent freshes in the main rivers are just what the salmon fishery needed and reports I have heard indicate there are good numbers of salmon throughout all the main rivers now. The Waimakariri River has been the standout river over the last week and good numbers of salmon have been caught throughout the river especially in the lower reaches. McIntosh’s Rocks has been the favoured spot with up to 40 salmon caught there one day earlier this week. The river mouth has also started to see a few more caught with up to a dozen or so being caught each day.

The Waimakariri River usually fishes better later in the season than the other rivers and should continue to fish well for the next month. The Rakaia Salmon Fishing Competition. is on this weekend and I have heard reports of reasonable numbers of salmon throughout the river so hopefully there are some happy anglers about after the weekend. Salmon anglers have not experienced the same outstanding fishing as we have seen this season for close to a decade and hopefully this is a sign that environmental conditions at sea are again favouring salmon survival.

Over the last week Fish & Game have been gifted close to 1,000 salmon by NIWA to release into fisheries around Christchurch for children. 250 of these were released into the Courtenay Pond in Kaiapoi and another 750 were released into the Groynes Fishing lakes. These fisheries are all restricted to anglers 17 and under and parents should make the most of this opportunity and take their kids out fishing over the next week or so where there is a good chance of success. The salmon are in great condition and range from 2 pounds to over 10 pounds. This is the highest number salmon that we have released into the Groynes at any one time for a number of years and any fishing method should be successful.

by Brian Ross, Fish and Game

The La Nina weather pattern continues to dish up North/North East winds, which will be gusty tomorrow, dying out Sunday. Heavy rain is expected in the high country, but dry in the east.

Inland lake levels have benefited from recent rain. Fish seen, actively feeding the margins, where they can fall victim to a Black Gnat or similar, presented by fly rod or attached by a leader to a bubble on a spinning outfit.

Foothill streams with elevated flows, such as the Ashley, should produce well conditioned trout, with the possibility of a fresh salmon an added bonus for spin fishers at the Ashley.

The Waimakariri River flow has dropped, and the river is expected to be a good colour for upriver salmon fishers this weekend. Anglers reported seeing good numbers of fish heading upstream in the recent dirty water. The salmon rivers to the north will also be in a similar fishing condition.

The Rakaia River will also have salmon well upstream by now. Fishing in the gorge has been quite productive of late by all accounts, to those with jet boats.

Anglers are reminded to observe the voluntary ban on salmon fishing near the Montrose salmon farm outlet stream.

200 1 kg salmon, donated by the NIWA Silverstream Hatchery, have been released into the Courtenay Lake at Kaiapoi for junior anglers – that is 17 years and under.
Fishing tuition is being offered by a group of well skilled local anglers this Saturday morning, from 9.00 am.

Rangers will be patrolling the lake to enforce the regulations.

This is Brian Ross for Fish and Game, hoping you take advantage of the fishing available this weekend.

by Steve Terry, Fish & Game

Over the last week there has been very little activity for salmon anglers in Canterbury. All the main salmon rivers are rising again this morning and they have been high and dirty for much of the last week. With rain forecast for much of the weekend these rivers are likely to remain that way until early next week, so anglers should catch up on jobs around home and earn brownie points so they can do some serious fishing once the rivers clear.

These high flows are just what the salmon fishery needed after a prolonged period of low flows and there should be good numbers of salmon throughout the rivers again when they clear. The Waimak River is due to fire up as it usually does this time of year and it should fish well for the next couple of months. The Rangitata has seen a few salmon caught recently, with around 14 salmon caught on the south side of the mouth in the surf yesterday and a few each day up until the rivers came down dirty and it continues to fish better than the other main rivers. The salmon are apparently still feeding at sea and there is likely to be many more salmon yet to arrive at the river mouths. Rakaia anglers have not experienced the same outstanding fishing as the Rangitata anglers, but upriver anglers had been catching the odd salmon each day until the river became un-fishable.

Further north it has been difficult to extract success stories from anglers at the Hurunui and Waiau River mouths, however it appears that these anglers have had mixed success recently with the odd report of only a few anglers catching as many salmon as there are anglers some days at the mouth. Recent low flows have restricted salmon passage up these rivers in recent weeks but hopefully the rivers should have plenty of salmon throughout them once they clear.

Good luck once the rivers clear.

by Brian Ross, Fish and Game

Water levels in the main east coast rivers in the region continue to fall, with no respite likely in the foreseeable future. Rain predicted in the alps appears unlikely now before early next week.

The Waiau and Hurunui Rivers to the north are at such low flows that it is unlikely that salmon will venture far upstream in such conditions.

The Waimakariri River with its long estuary has been enticing salmon up as far as the Kaiapoi River, and while fish have often been seen, only modest numbers have been hooked of late.

The Rakaia River, while low at around 119 cumecs, is still a good “fishy” colour owing to the contribution of melting glaciers in the headwaters.

North easterly winds are set to continue, being quite strong at the coast, making things a bit unpleasant for river mouth fishermen. Wind and wave action have combined to make surf casting impossible, with very dirty seas.

The north easterly winds have also been making the larger inland lakes like Coleridge quite rough. Far too rough for safe and enjoyable trolling in smaller craft. A better choice would be land based angling at one of the smaller, sheltered lakes nearby.

On a more sombre note, is the infestation of didymo in the Hurunui River.
Sadly, a report by one of our rangers recently, showed that the area downstream from the Jolliesbrook to South Branch confluence, could best be described as “ugly”!

If you fish this area please ensure that you Check Clean and Dry all of your fishing gear to help prevent the spread of didymo here and elsewhere.

Steve Terry, Fish & Game Officer

This season we have seen the best salmon fishing in Canterbury we have had for many years now and over the last week salmon fishing in Canterbury has continued to reward anglers. Salmon have finally started to show up in reasonable numbers in the Waimakariri River after a prolonged period where only a few were being caught each day. There were 13 or 14 caught at the mouth on Tuesday and another 10 or so on Wednesday. This is an encouraging start for what is hopefully a great season in the Waimakariri which usually fishes best in February and March.

Salmon fishing in the other rivers has been steady with good numbers caught during flood recessions and a few caught each day once the rivers clear. The Rangitata continues to be the standout fishery, with good numbers caught last weekend in the surf on the south side of the mouth and another 20 before 10am yesterday. Boat anglers heading out the river mouth have also been picking up good numbers of salmon so there seems to be plenty about.

Further north, the Rakaia has been a bit slow at the mouth with a few caught each day but anglers have reported seeing good numbers further up river. The salmon have entered the mouth while it is dirty and fishing above SH1 will probably be anglers best bet over the weekend.

Most of the high country lakes have warmed in recent weeks causing fish to head for cooler water in the lake centres. Boat anglers at Lake Coleridge are reporting reduced catches which is to be expected at this time of year as the salmon school up and move into deeper water, however shore anglers at Coleridge have started to pick up a few more trout in recent weeks.

Sea-run trout fishing in the lower reaches of the main rivers has also quietened off which is to be expected this late in the season, although many of the trout that remain are reasonably big and in great condition.

Good luck this weekend.

by Ross Millichamp, Fish & Game

Salmon fishing has continued to be productive over the last week, although river and weather conditions have caused a few hiccups.

Over the weekend good numbers of salmon were caught throughout the length of the Rakaia. River mouth fishing continues to be most productive on the north side where deeper water appears to be attracting the salmon. Some fish are also being caught half way along the lagoon by anglers fishing from boats and the shore. The best fishing in the Rakaia over the weekend was in the middle reaches where anglers managed to catch up with the salmon which ran through the rivermouth over Christmas.

The Rangitata Mouth has slowed a little with sea conditions being a bit rough and dirty. There have been no more big days at the Rangi since our last report but there were about 10 salmon caught in the north side surf on Saturday. Upriver anglers continue to do well in the Rangitata.

The Opihi River is producing the odd excellent day when sea conditions allow. Although there may only be 5 to 10 fish caught, there are so few anglers present that on the good days the chances of getting a fish are pretty good.

Salmon fishing at the Waimakariri is slowly picking up with 5-10 fish being caught at the mouth most days the river is clear. Both north and south sides are producing fish. This river does not normally fire up until mid February so anglers remain hopeful of an excellent season.

Most of the braided rivers came down in flood on Tuesday which put the fishing on hold, but are clearing fast and should be in good shape by the weekend. Most anglers were grateful for the flood as the rivers were starting to get a bit too clear and the runs of salmon at the rivermouths were starting to wane.

Anglers fishing the Waimakariri should take note that a number of locked gates have been installed in the new Waimakariri River Park, in an attempt to curb the dumping of cars and rubbish. Legitimate park users can obtain keys to the gates from Customer Services at Environment Canterbury, after paying a refundable $30 deposit.

by Brian Ross, Fish & Game

River levels in the main east coast rivers are either dropping after a small fresh of a couple of days ago, or remain unchanged at low flows.

This should mean that salmon fishers in particular, can reasonably expect continued good fishing at their favourite “pozzie” for the weekend ahead.

As a large high spreads across the South Island, we can also look forward to mainly light winds inland, with North Easterlies at coastal locations.

Salmon catches at the Rakaia and Rangitata River in particular, have been good of late, with the Rangitata having catches of up to 30 - 40 salmon per day.

This news has lured a number of North Canterbury anglers south of the border, rather like a modern day gold rush, to get amongst what have been top quality salmon, by all accounts.

Of course this exodus does relieve some of the pressure on the salmon rivers north of the Rangitata.

Survivors of earlier runs are being intermittently caught upriver in the Rakaia, but low clear conditions often encountered at this time of year are unhelpful. In these conditions, fishing small lures at the change of light is really your only chance.

Inland Canterbury lake should also be fishing well for the fly fisher, with insect hatches producing abundant trout food during irregular calm and hot conditions, often around midday. (See Rakaia lakes, Waimakariri lakes, Hurunui lakes and Ashburton lakes.)

Shore based and boat anglers at Lake Coleridge are still reporting reasonably good fishing.

by Steve Terry, Fish & Game

Over the last week salmon anglers in Canterbury have started to see an increase in activity in the main rivers. The Rangitata has been the standout river, with around 40 salmon caught on the south side of the mouth last Saturday and another 40 on Monday. The fishing has been better in the surf on the south side of the mouth on most days, but Wednesday saw a dozen salmon taken in a clear spot in the surf on the north side. The river has been high and dirty in recent days, but has dropped again and is looking great for this weekend and there should be plenty of salmon throughout this river now. Rakaia anglers have not experienced the same outstanding fishing as the Rangitata anglers, but the river still produced reasonable numbers of salmon last weekend and with this river also just becoming fishable again, there should be salmon throughout the river.

The Waimak River has seen the first bit of real action for the season with 10 salmon taken yesterday at the mouth and another couple at McIntosh’s. Salmon fishing on the Waimak traditionally picks up later than the other rivers and should improve over the next couple of months. Further north it has been difficult to extract success stories from anglers at the Hurunui and Waiau River mouths, however it appears that these anglers have had good catch rates recently, with reports of a few anglers catching as many salmon as there are anglers some days.

Trout fishing in the region should be reasonably productive at the moment, especially early morning as the warmer weather is producing good insect hatches in the high country and I have heard good reports coming from Lake Pearson. Sea run trout fishing has quietened off in the main rivers and although there are not the same numbers as there were before Christmas, it is fair to say that a good number of the trout that do remain are reasonably big.

by Steve Terry, Fish & Game

Dirty rivers have seen another week pass with very little activity on the salmon fishing front in North Canterbury’s rivers. Over the last couple of days lure anglers have picked up the odd salmon from the lower Rakaia, but with more rain falling in the alps over the last couple of days, the Waimak and Rakaia Rivers are likely to be on the rise again and will probably not be salmon fishable again until early next week. The sea-run trout fishery has however been outstanding in the lower reaches of all the rivers recently and the fish are in great condition having fattened up on silveries over the last couple of months.

There are a few other options for Christchurch anglers wanting to get out for a fish. The Hurunui has a good flow at present and is not affected by rainfall in the alps as much as the other main rivers, as Lake Sumner helps buffer these short freshes we are seeing. Lake Coleridge is still producing fish for trolling anglers, especially early morning. Closer to Christchurch, the Lower Styx River is worth a look and anglers should use either a thread line and rapala fished deep, or sinking fly line with a Hope silvery to imitate whitebait. Similar methods should also work in the South Branch of the Waimak below Dickies Road.

Parents wishing to take the kids out over the next week, might like to try fishing for herrings at either the Kaiapoi wharf, or the Avon/Heathcote estuary mouth accessed through the sand dunes at the end of Rocking horse road on South Shore. Try fishing with some cheese on a hook above a small sinker an hour either side of high tide. Another option is the Groynes pond closest to the Clearwater Golf course as it has recently been stocked with a number of large brown trout. In the high country lakes, Lyndon and Georgina would have to be a good bet with both these lakes having recently been stocked and they appear to be fishing well.

Steve Terry, Fish & Game Officer

Salmon fishing in Canterbury has slowed up over the last week with floods affecting all the main rivers. There has however been the odd salmon taken from the Hurunui Mouth with one weighing 27 pounds. Sea run trout fishing in the lower Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers has also gone quiet with the dirty water.

Anglers fishing the high country have reported good fishing in Lake Georgina and Lake Coleridge, which has continued to yield good numbers of land locked salmon when the weather conditions have allowed. The salmon are not as big as previous years in the lake but there seems to be plenty of them about.

Prospects for the weekend are limited for salmon angling as the rivers are still dirty following the recent nor-wester and they will probably not be fishable again until after the weekend. The best bet for salmon anglers would have to the surf on the south side of the Rangitata mouth if it is clear, as there has been the odd salmon taken there over the last week.

The recent rain should however have helped rivers such as the Ashley and Selwyn and there should be a few nice sea-run trout in the lower Ashley. In the high country lakes, use a nymph or lure such as a Mrs Simpson as there will only be limited insect hatches with the cooler weather we have been experiencing and if the wind picks up, try spin fishing the downwind end of the lakes in the rough water using a toby, rapala or veltec spinner. Lake Pearson would be worth a look as it has recently been stocked with 1,200 brown trout averaging over 3 pounds. Most of the other high country lakes have also recently been stocked with thousands of small rainbow trout which should be a catchable size later in the season.

Anglers please be careful to clean all your gear, including boats and trailers this weekend even lake anglers as didymo is present around in and out-flowing streams in quite a few South Island Lakes.

Good luck with the fishing over the festive season.

by Ross Millichamp, Fish & Game

Heavy rain in the Alps in recent days has broken a spell of settled weather that had lasted for more than a month. Prior to the rain the back country rivers were in fantastic condition and plenty of trout were being caught by anglers who were prepared to get off the beaten track. Fishing in the backcountry lakes had also been excellent.
The low clear state of the rivers did slow down salmon fishing over the last week, with just a few fish being taken here and there. The Rakaia has continued to produce salmon at the mouth and in the lagoon but fishing upriver has been slow. The odd fish is also being taken from the surf on the South side. The Rangitata has been quiet but a few salmon were caught in the surf on the south side after the river came down in flood. The Hurunui River has also been producing salmon from the surf whenever the sea is calm and clear. The surprise on the salmon fishing front has been McIntosh’s Rocks on the lower Waimakariri, which has been producing salmon earlier than you would expect from this river. One angler has already had five salmon so far this season from McIntosh’s.

Salmon fishing prospects for the weekend are not great but should improve next week. The rivers are dirty from the recent flood and the sea is rough from yesterday’s southerly winds. However the sea swell is only one to two metres so it could calm down and become fishable for salmon at some point over the weekend. The Hurunui, Rakaia and Rangitata rivermouths are the best prospects.

Sea run trout fishing should hot up as soon as the rivers clear to a grey-green colour, which could be as early as Saturday evening. There were plenty of fish about prior to the flood but they had become almost impossible to catch. The Waimakariri, Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers are likely to offer excellent fishing in the latter stages of the weekend and throughout next week.

by Steve Terry, Fish & Game Officer

So far this year’s salmon fishing season seems to be better than we have seen for a number of years. All the main rivers have produced salmon with a few busy days around the lower reaches of both the Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers over the last few weeks. The Waimakariri, Hurunui and Waiau Rivers have yet to really fire up but they still have been catching a few salmon.

Over the last week things have slowed down in the Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers with only the odd salmon caught each day and whether this is the end of the traditional early run, or simply a result of the low and clear rivers we have had is hard to tell. This is the nature of salmon fishing and tomorrow could just as easily see 30 caught at either river mouth. We are also overdue for a fresh in these rivers which should hopefully trigger another run of fish. The salmon that have been caught so far this season have been in great condition and I have heard of a number of salmon weighing over 20 pounds.

Sea-run trout have also started to show up in good numbers in the lower reaches of both the Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers and their condition appears to be improving with the plentiful number of silveries about. They are proving somewhat difficult to catch however, probably due to the plentiful food supply and the low clear rivers. Your best bet for these sea-run trout would be at night.

Streams flowing into the North Canterbury high country lakes opened a week ago and anglers should be experiencing some great fishing with all the warm, calm weather we have had. With many tributaries of high country lakes the first week or so of the season usually provides the best fishing. When the flows drop off and the temperature increases over the summer months the fish in these streams become very wary of anglers and often drop back into the cooler waters of the lakes or the main rivers.

Good luck for the weekend.

Steve Terry, Fish & Game Officer

The salmon have arrived! Last Friday saw 9 landed at the Rakaia Mouth one of which weighed 27lbs and most of them appear to be a good size and in great condition. Things appear to have gone quiet since. After a little rain earlier this week, there were 8 salmon landed at the Rangitata Mouth on Tuesday and 3 on Wednesday and I have not heard what happened yesterday or today yet. Wednesday also saw a couple landed at McIntosh’s Rocks in the Waimakariri River, one weighing 23lb and others have been seen heading up the Kaiapoi and it is good to see a few early salmon showing up here. I have yet to hear anything from the Hurunui or Waiau Rivers further north.

As far as sea-runs go, there seems to be good numbers in the lower Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers and although a majority of them are not large trout, with the number of silveries around at the moment, it won’t take that long for them to fatten up. The best fishing has been late evening.

In the high country the standout fishery over the weekend was once again Lake Coleridge. North Canterbury Fish and Game have been stocking the lake quite heavily for a number of years now and the results have been rewarding. This year the salmon are not as big as other years but there are plenty of them. They travel around in shoals so be patient and when they show up or you come across them trolling, almost any lure will entice a strike.

Good luck over the weekend.

by Steve Terry, Fish & Game Officer

I have heard very little for the fishing report over the last week except that there has been the odd salmon landed in Canterbury Rivers but not in big numbers yet. With a long weekend ahead I am sure we will get reports of a few more by Monday. Inland, Lake Coleridge has continued to fish well with plenty of salmon up to 2.5 pounds taken trolling. Thanks to all the volunteers that showed up to Montrose last Sunday to fin clip the rainbow trout we will be releasing into our high country lakes over the next few weeks.

by Steve Terry, Fish & Game Officer

Last weekend saw the opening of the regions High Country Lakes. The Canterbury nor-wester showed up as usual but anglers appeared to be reasonably happy. Boaties should beware of this nor-wester especially on Lake Coleridge, as a large messy chop can build quite quickly and catch smaller boats out. Lake Georgina fished very well over the weekend for rainbows after having been stocked with around 400 x 2 pounders around six months ago.

With the main rivers salmon fishable now, there has been the odd salmon show up. Over the last few days a few have been caught in the Rangitata River and Wednesday saw a nice 22 pounder caught in the Rakaia gut and I image a few will have sneaked into the river and headed upstream below SH1. There have been good reports of sea-run trout in the lower Ashley River and a small silver spinner or lure late evening would be worth a try for these. Lake Ellesmere tributaries should also be fishing well especially for late evening anglers.

by Steve Terry, Fish & Game Officer

High Country Lakes open

This weekend sees the opening of the North Canterbury Regions High Country Lakes. The weather forecast for the high country over the weekend looks great with Saturday the best bet for all the lakes. Over the last few seasons, Lake Coleridge had been rewarding anglers with many nice salmon weighing up to 6 pounds as the lake has been intensively stocked with salmon in recent years and I am sure there will be some happy anglers about after this weekend. The lake is at a good height for launching and retrieving boats. With all the cool weather we have been experiencing in recent weeks there will be very little in the way of insect hatches in the high country with trout feeding largely on snails. The best techniques for anglers would be deep, sub surface methods such as spinners, lures and nymphs. A small rapala in the early morning or late evening should also produce results.

River fishing

With the main rivers clearing after recent floods, the conditions should be ideal for trout fishing the main rivers. Sea-run trout are due to show up any time now at the Rakaia Mouth. Anglers looking for opportunities close to Christchurch might like to try the South Branch of the Waimakariri River or the Lake Ellesmere tributaries in the late evening. The Selwyn River has yet to produce many fish but they are in good condition with some double figure trout sighted recently in the lower reaches. There are good numbers of trout present in the lower L2 and nymph fishing would be your best bet. Harts Creek and Little River from the Akaroa Highway down to Lake Forsythe would also be worth a look.

I have yet to hear of any salmon caught this season but by the end of the weekend I am sure this will change. We expect salmon to start showing up from now on and hopefully we are in for a great season.

Didymo cleaning reminder

A reminder to anglers to please also be careful to clean their fishing gear when moving from one river to another to avoid the risk of spreading Didymo.

Some rivers still closed

Anglers please also remember, all rivers flowing into high country lakes such as the Ryton, Harper and Hurunui River above Lake Sumner, do not open until the 1st of December. The main salmon spawning streams are also closed to angling so please check your regulation booklet before heading for the hills.

Good children's fishing at Groynes Lakes

Parents wishing to take the kids out this summer have a good chance of a salmon at the Groynes Lakes as these were recently stocked with salmon for the Take a Kid fishing day and there should be plenty left. Your best bet will be at first light. A shrimp or worm dangled from a float works well on these salmon.

Fin-clipping at Montrose Hatchery

Around 40,000+ rainbow trout are due to hatch at the Montrose hatchery shortly. These will be on grown for release into the high country lakes in November next year. We are planning on fin clipping approximately 10,000 rainbow trout yearlings on Sunday the 11th November 2007. This is a great opportunity to bring the family up for a look around the hatchery. Could those anglers that are keen to help please phone North Canterbury Fish & Game so we can organise food for the BBQ lunch we will provide. Volunteers can meet at the Yaldhurst Pub at 8am that day to organise transportation or meet at Montrose at 9:15am. To get to Montrose, drive south approximately 1.5 - 2km from the Rakaia Gorge and turn right into Blackford Rd. Head up Blackford road approximately 6km and you will see the Fish & Game banner on the gate. Head down the track and continue past the big pond and you will see the hatchery over to your left. Waders are not required and gumboots or waterproof footwear are ideal. Please also bring suitable wet weather clothing.

River flows

Anglers wishing to know river flows can ring the Fish & Game flow phone free on 366-2986 weekdays only, or the ECan flow phone which is automatically updated a number of times daily on (08) 322-5522 (only 12 cents per minute).

Annual General Meeting

Notice To All Licence Holders
Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 5th December 2007
at 7pm at the
North Canterbury Fish & Game Office
3 Horatio Street, Christchurch