Fishing Reports index >January 2008

Trout chasin’ with Chris Dore

Well summertime temperatures have really taken ahold down in the south and the trout are feeling the heat. comfort and food are the trouts primary requirements and over the next few weeks I will be looking towards those waters with enough volume to sustain suitable water temperatures throughout the day (i.e.; below 18 degrees Celsius).

In mentioning this, I am immediately thinking of the larger tail waters - the Waiau, Kawarau and Clutha, as well as a few higher altitude, cold water streams. These waters can often be seen as daunting, their sheer expanse intimidating many who venture onto their banks.

If I had one tip for those wishing to fish these tail waters it would be remember to fish your feet first, and concentrate along those edges.

On many of these larger, swifter rivers trout will hold in close, along the slack edge water, or along shallow pockets, and in the lee of bank extensions and gravel bars.

Try a dry fly / nymph combo, for these fish will often rise freely and will normally hit on the first drift.

Big bushy Wulffs, Humphys and parachutes will turn out the goods, and one cannot beat the traditional hares ear for a nymph to hang below. I use about a meter of trace between the dry and nymph, and find this about right for most situations, and easily manageable to cast.

Our high country lakes too will offer good sport, with cicada and manuka beetles in abundance on the likes of Hawea, Wanaka and wakitipu. Our tussock lakes too will come into their own, as ther tussock cicada hatch out into Feb. Remember, just because there are cicada abundant this doesnt mean trout will be feeding avidly on them. Prepare to adapt, and this may mean damsel nymphs, snails and streamers sometimes fished on sinking lines. If little is happening on top, go deep!
 
Have a fun summer!

Chris

Chris Dore
FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor.
Queenstown, NZ
027 693 3027

Chris Dore is an independent fishing guide; his reports are not officially representative of Fish & Game NZ

Back to Reel Life