Fishing News index > November 2006

Southland Fish and Game Fishing News October 2006

Maurice Rodway, Regional Manager, Fish and Game NZ

Fiordland River Update

Because of the pristine nature of these waters anglers wanting to fish the lake tributaries will have to take special precautions before they go into these rivers. A clean gear certificate available from the Department of Conservation and Fish and Game and a few selected sports stores and garages will be needed. In addition the Fiordland Rivers  will have a special controlled fishery status on them. Anglers will have to get a special permit to fish these rivers (only available from Fish and Game) and they will have to specify the dates they will be there. Full details will be available on the Fish and Game website at the Southland Pages.

We have been told that it is like a jungle of red tape to go there this year and it is true that you will need a full season licence, a back country licence, a Fiordland River Controlled Fishery licence and a clear gear certificate but we feel this is preferable to having deserted rivers.

The Back Country Licence will allow you to fish the Upper Oreti, Greenstone and Caples as well as the Fiordland rivers.  You will be able to get the extra licences over the internet by phone and as long as you given an undertaking to have didymo free gear when you go in there you will be able to get them with a minimum of fuss.

Other Places

The lowland rivers of the region have been fishing well during October. The Mataura has been producing fantastic mayfly hatches with some local anglers reporting catches of a dozen fish or more a day.  Some snow melt has been keeping the Oreti up a bit and the Waiau has been pretty high due to the westerly rain we have been getting. The estuaries have been fishing well with some excellent trout being caught. Bait fishing with smelt or a worm is the most productive method in those places.

Maurice Rodway
Manager.