Southland/Fiordland Fishing Reports

A weekly river report from Southland Fish & Game shows lake levels, river flows and fishing conditions for around 20 rivers.

Fishing news: Latest report April 2008

Fishing reports: Latest report April 2008

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By Michael Courtman, The Southland Times, Tuesday, 2 October 2007

Southland rivers rewarded anglers with some good catches on the opening day of the trout fishing season yesterday.

Fish and Game Southland manager Maurice Rodway said there had been reports of several, 2-3kg rainbow trout caught in the upper Waiau River, and a large brown trout taken from the Dunsdale stream.

Mr Rodway said quite a few fishermen had taken advantage of the school holidays and fine weather to get out and wet a line.

Licence sales had been steady and there were no reports of anyone being caught fishing without a licence.

Although heavy rain had discoloured the upper reaches of some rivers in the district, such as the Mataura and Oreti, the lower reaches of these rivers were in good condition for opening day.

Mr Rodway said the weekend was shaping up to be a good time for fly anglers fishing the tributaries such as the Waimea, Waikawa, Hamilton Burn and Acton. "The rivers should be in excellent condition if the weather holds up for the weekend."

Edendale angler Brain Russell said he caught one brown trout during a morning's fishing on the Mataura River.

New Zealand Professional Fishing Guide Association member Harvey McGuire said trout were more likely to take a bait early in the season when food was scarcer.

"Early season is always the easiest time to catch fish if if the rivers are in suitable condition."

View the original article and photo at the Stuff website