Fishing News index> February 2008

Angling news from Nelson Marlborough

Recent drift diving and time spent on the river by Fish and Game staff has shown less didymo about than expected or seen in other rivers.  It is almost non-existent in the Motueka and Clarence Rivers and not particularly noticeable in most of the Buller.  Many locals have enjoyed the absence of both didymo and other anglers in areas where didymo is known to inhabit; their angling has been much better than usual.  Don’t forget to check, clean and dry your gear between rivers, however, as didymo is very easy to pick up and potentially spread between rivers.

Many fish are in good condition.  Cicada patterns are still proving effective in most places, but they are past their peak now.  Water temperatures are now starting to cool, especially in the High Country, so we expect more angling effort in the next couple of months.  Rivers are all relatively low, but have had regular freshes at about 2-weekly intervals to liven up the fish populations.

Fish numbers have proven particularly good, along with fish condition, in inland Marlborough.  Excellent fish have been caught in the upper Wairau and Acheron Rivers, and in the Tarndale lakes.

Salmon have been running hot in the lower Clarence with the best season in over a decade.  Don’t forget your licence, however, as there have been several anglers caught without licences there. 

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