Fishing Reports index> December 2007

North Canterbury Fishing Report, 3rd December

Steve Terry
Fish & Game Officer

So far this year’s salmon fishing season seems to be better than we have seen for a number of years. All the main rivers have produced salmon with a few busy days around the lower reaches of both the Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers over the last few weeks. The Waimakariri, Hurunui and Waiau Rivers have yet to really fire up but they still have been catching a few salmon.

Over the last week things have slowed down in the Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers with only the odd salmon caught each day and whether this is the end of the traditional early run, or simply a result of the low and clear rivers we have had is hard to tell. This is the nature of salmon fishing and tomorrow could just as easily see 30 caught at either river mouth. We are also overdue for a fresh in these rivers which should hopefully trigger another run of fish. The salmon that have been caught so far this season have been in great condition and I have heard of a number of salmon weighing over 20 pounds.

Sea-run trout have also started to show up in good numbers in the lower reaches of both the Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers and their condition appears to be improving with the plentiful number of silveries about. They are proving somewhat difficult to catch however, probably due to the plentiful food supply and the low clear rivers. Your best bet for these sea-run trout would be at night.

Streams flowing into the North Canterbury high country lakes opened a week ago and anglers should be experiencing some great fishing with all the warm, calm weather we have had. With many tributaries of high country lakes the first week or so of the season usually provides the best fishing. When the flows drop off and the temperature increases over the summer months the fish in these streams become very wary of anglers and often drop back into the cooler waters of the lakes or the main rivers.

Good luck for the weekend. 

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