Fishing News index > December 2008

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.

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