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Fishing News index > December 2006
West Coast News December 2006
Chris Tonkin, Regional Manager
The Good, the Bad and the downright Exciting
Well, it had to happen I suppose. After an eight - year period
of neutral climatic conditions – that is minimal la-nina
or el-nino influences - all is about to change.
According to NIWA a moderate el-nino has already established and
this is expected to bring stronger than average south-westerly
airflows over the country. Rainfall is expected to be normal
or below normal in all regions except the west of the South Island,
where above normal rainfall is expected.
For anglers there is good and bad news in this outlook. On the
bright side smaller rivers and spring-fed catchments may not suffer
the low flows and increased water temperatures normally associated
with summer conditions. Consistently cooler water temperatures
also mean that anglers should expect to find trout feeding for
longer periods as opposed to the usual flurry of activity around
dawn and dusk.
Prolific growths of weed and algae, normally associated with high
summer and low flows may also be less of an issue this season.
A highlight of October - November has been the size and
condition of trout in lowland waters. Large sea-run browns have
been reported from most major rivers and those associated with
coastal lagoons have been especially productive. These fish typically
begin to occupy mid-upper river habitat from about December onwards,
and this season in particular it will be worth prospecting tributaries
during or after a fresh.
Lake fishers should be especially optimistic.
Higher lake levels and cooler water temperatures help keep fish
closer to the margins, enhancing opportunities for shore based
anglers. There is evidence of this already at Lake Brunner, where
November caught trout have been full of worms, grubs and insects
normally associated with a paddock environment. After twice the
normal November rainfall South Westland lakes are full to the
brim, and lake-edge wet-fly fishing with a bully imitation has
been dynamic.
If there is a down-side to this it could be that strong wind and
cooler air conditions might produce shorter ‘hatches’ and
tougher casting conditions, mind you it won’t be wet and
windy every day.
In the ‘Beech country, generally north and east of the upper
Grey River catchment, there is already talk that this summer might
be a ‘mouse’ year. For the uninitiated this occurs
when Beech trees seed and mouse populations explode in response
to enhanced food options. Many of these rodents end up in the river
where opportunistic trout have a permanent eye on the surface,
and within a surprisingly short period large trout can become huge.
The moral to this latter scenario is that anglers planning a ‘Coast
visit over the summer period should pack a few large deer hair ‘floaters’ – just
in case.
Finally a special plea to all anglers using our rivers this summer.
At this point the Buller River remains the only ‘Coast waterway
infested with the dreaded Didymo, and we want to keep things that
way. Further to the precautions recommended by Biosecurity N.Z.
(www.biosecurity.govt.nz)
for cleaning wet gear associated with fishing, it has recently
become apparent that felt-soled wading boots are the most likely
vector for transferring didymo between waterways. Worse, Didymo
cells will not be killed by simply spraying soles with detergent,
bleach etc. It seems a good dunking in boiling water is the only
sure cure and if this is likely to present problems for intending
visitors please leave your felt soled boots at home.
Chris Tonkin | 
