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Fishing Reports index > December 2006
North Canterbury Fishing Report
Ross Millichamp
The braided rivers have been discoloured over the past week and
salmon fishing has been difficult. The occasional fish is
being caught in the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers by anglers fishing
with feathered lures but most people are waiting until conditions
become properly clear. The discoloured water has had less
impact on sea run trout fishing and some impressive fish have been
caught from the lower reaches of the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers. In
the backcountry anglers have suffered a succession of bad weather
weekends, although the fishing has been good when conditions have
cleared.
Prospects for the weekend are excellent as most of the braided
rivers should be salmon fishable for the first time in months. The
Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers are always the best bet for a pre-Christmas
salmon. The string of recent floods should have allowed fish to
move right through the lower and middle reaches of the rivers. Saturday
is likely to offer the best salmon fishing as another north west
front could bring the rivers down in flood on Sunday. Sea
run trout anglers have perfect tides for fishing over the weekend,
with low tide due a couple of hours before dark.
Anglers need to be aware that the tidal reaches of the braided
rivers have been knocked around by recent big floods and are quite
tricky for boating, especially at low tide. Boaties are advised
to check out the location of the deepwater channels during daylight
before attempting to navigate them at dawn and dusk. Backcountry
anglers will experience wind and rain on Saturday but conditions
should improve on Sunday. Once again the high country
lakes are the best option as the rivers are likely to be dirty.
Fish & Game has just taken delivery of 5000 spray bottles
for treating fishing gear to prevent the spread of Didymo. These
are available free of charge from the Fish & Game office now,
and from major fishing tackle shops early next week.
Ross Millichamp
Fish & Game. | 
