South Canterbury Report February 2008

February has been very much a “game of two halves” in the South Canterbury region. Whilst some excellent trout fishing was reported in the early part of the month a persistent, stationary low pressure system created dull, overcast conditions with low cloud and light drizzle around the middle of the month. The depressing conditions appear to have had an equally depressing effect on both stream invertebrates and, consequently, the trout themselves. Browns, especially were particularly contrary at this time. A number of very experienced anglers report exceptionally spooky and uncooperative fish.

Normally, low water means that fish are able to be targeted successfully by fishing right up into the fast water but in these low pressure conditions they were largely absent from these areas. I recall disturbing fish tucked away under weed beds whilst progressing up a number of normally productive runs, and I suspect that many others were waiting for the dinner gong to sound by resting up under the willows.

But, happily, the situation changed once the threatened rain finally arrived. A small fresh, followed by a short, sharp flood in a number of lowland streams changed the equation considerably. Suddenly, mayflies were emerging in numbers, the swallows appeared from goodness knows where and it was business as usual. The transformation was quite remarkable in the Opihi. The flood was quite violent, such that even quite large boulders were displaced and weed beds ripped out, but no major damage was done.

Salmon anglers continue to experience the best fishing in about a decade with many hundreds now having been caught at the Rangitata mouth. With improved conditions at the Opihi a reasonable number are now entering the mouth. The Rangitata  has fish distributed throughout its length and the surf is still producing when sea conditions are suitable. The fish are big and in excellent condition. As I write reports of salmon as far up the Waitaki as Kurow are coming in. Again, the fish are big and well-conditioned. With just over a month go the peak of the run may be yet to come.

Despite the much improved conditions many up-river anglers continue to be frustrated by the “here today, gone tomorrow” nature of this season’s run as they don’t appear to be stopping for long until well up-river. The only consolation is that another pod is probably not far away.

Hot Tip: A number of anglers have reported good numbers of sea-run browns in the lower Rangitata still. These may be taken on small streamers and soft rubber spinning lures, especially at change of light. One angler enjoyed considerable success on small Mepps and Veltics fished upstream recently.

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

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