Fishing Reports index> March 2008

Fishing Report Friday 28th March 2008

Steve Terry
Fish & Game Officer

North Canterbury Rivers have not seen a fresh for over a month now. All the rivers have been very low and clear for much of this time and salmon fishing has slowed right off in all of the main rivers. Anglers fishing McIntosh’s Rocks, the Banana Hole and the mouth of the Waimakariri River are still catching a few salmon each day, however nowhere near as many as they were getting each day a couple of weeks ago, with up to 40 caught each day in these lower reaches.

Reports I have heard, indicate that there are good numbers of salmon throughout all the main rivers at present and upriver fishing in both the Rakaia and Waimakariri Rivers around the gorges is still yielding a few salmon from the deep pools where they are waiting for the next fresh. The best time to target these salmon while the rivers are low and clear is the first half hour of daylight, as salmon fishing tends to go relatively quiet after this in these conditions. With nor-west rain forecast in the Southern Alps over the next 48 hours, hopefully the rivers come down in a fresh and trigger salmon movement. There should still be plenty of great fishing in the Waimak over the next few weeks but angling in the lower reaches of the other rivers has tapered off for the season. 

The Groynes fishing lakes are continuing to fish well for salmon, but please remember these lakes are restricted to anglers 17 years and under. The best bet for parents wishing to take their kids for a fish is again at first and last light using any authorised method.

Trout fishing upriver can be quite rewarding during these low clear flows and both the upper Rakaia and Waimak rivers have been producing some nice trout in the side braids and holes in recent weeks.  Please remember that there is no fishing for salmon in the Western Zones of the main rivers.

Good luck over the weekend.