South Canterbury Report

Graeme Marshall

Despite being resident in the Central South Island region for only about a year I have found myself serving on the local Fish and Game Council and editing this report! I look forward to serving on the Council and am already savouring the amazing fishing.

The trout fishing so far this season is proving to be quite outstanding. Whilst the heavier than average rainfalls are frustrating salmon anglers the lowland trout streams are producing plenty of large, well-conditioned fish. Despite the incredibly changeable weather conditions there have been some excellent mayfly hatches. I struck a small bonanza on the Temuka late one warm afternoon in November. The numbers of rising fish really surprised me. Using a long leader, fine tippet and a #16 Parachute Adams I had a ball. While the fish averaged less than a kilogram they were in excellent condition. Regrettably I had to leave around 6pm for a social engagement – very hard with a full on rise in progress.

The relatively few keen anglers who ventured out on the lower Ashburton during the winter season experienced some really good fishing. I found the fish holding in “pods” in favourable locations such as backwaters and drop-offs, even when the river was barely fishable. My old favourite, the articulated trout, accounted for some terrific fish right down into the tidal waters, and on one memorable morning I hooked four fish in a row off one drop-off not far below the SH 1 bridge, using a double nymph rig. They averaged over 2kg. My prediction is for some really excellent fly fishing further up this river when it drops to reasonable levels. Keep an eye out for salmon too. With the big flows this year there have to be a few running up.

The hot news, of course, is the surf fishing for salmon at the mouth of the Rangitata. Some wonderful fish were taken during November. Up-river anglers are anxiously awaiting a clearance. To date the Opihi has not fired but a few keen types are there every day to ensure they are on site if it happens.

It’s a case of “You don’t know how lucky you are,” in this region so get out there and enjoy it.

Tight lines.

Graeme Marshall

Stalking Trout
www.stalkingtrout.com
Graeme Marshall Member NZPFGA
South Canterbury Fishing Guide
Ph: (03) 614 8266 Mobile: 021 02329361
E-mail: GRM6@xtra.co.nz

Graeme Marshall is an independent fishing guide; his reports are not officially representative of Fish & Game NZ