Reel Life January 2025 - Central South Island

  • Central South Island
  • 21/01/2025

Reel Life January 2025 - Central South Island

Trifecta of trout

This month we received a report from angler Paul who caught what he described as a ‘trifecta of trout!’.

Paul landed a brown, a rainbow, and a brook trout on the same day, in the same river - A first in his 50 years of fishing.

Picture above: Angler Paul with his 4.5lb brown trout, part of his ‘trifecta of trout’ catch earlier this month.

The brook trout was small, as stream-dwelling brookies tend to be, and the rainbows and browns he caught were around four pound.

The flies of the day were the royal wulff and blowfly patterns.

Though Paul's secret spots remain a mystery, his story is an inspiring reminder for anglers to be curious and explore the region.

Make the time this season to check out that stream you’ve always wanted to investigate.

If you’re keen on brook trout consider visiting Lake Emily in the Ashburton/Ōtūwharekai Lakes District.  Keep in mind, Lake Emily is fly-fishing only.

Sockeye salmon season peak on now

Right now there is a short window of opportunity to target Lake Benmore’s sockeye salmon prior to their spawning run.

At 300-420mm they are in peak eating condition and make a great meal for the table.

In January-early February sockeye tend to school up at the bottom of the lakes.

By mid-February, sockeye begin to colour up in preparation for their late February to March spawning run, and as a result, they become less desirable for eating.

Blake Harper caught up with expert sockeye anglers Howard and Nathan this week, to keep up to date on the most recent sockeye fishing methods.

Howard recommends two methods for targeting sockeye and for both, depth is the key.

The first is jigging while stationary or drifting, and the second was trolling through a school.
 
Howard uses a downrigger while trolling but you could use lead lines or paravanes to achieve depth.

Step number one though is to locate a school, the use of a fish finder is immensely helpful here, otherwise a bit of trial and error may be in order.

Try starting about 30 meters in front of Benmore Dam. Find the bottom with your jig, then bring it up a meter or two and begin jigging. If nothing happens after 10 minutes, move, and try again.

Howard used a pink and silver single hook toby and says anything flashy and colourful would probably work.

Keep an eye on Central South Island Fish & Game’s social media pages for the how-to video to come.

Sockeye fishing isn’t just for boaties though, a shoreline angler can spin fish around the dam as some may be in reach.

Howard hooked into a sockeye salmon on Lake Benmore using his tried-and-true methods, which he generously shared with us.’ Photo by Blake Harper.

High-country dry fly time!

February is the month to head to the high-country and try a bit of dry fly fishing.

Mid-to-late summer brings cicadas onto the menu for trout.

To match the menu, catch a cicada in the long grass and ensure your fly pattern mirrors the real thing, particularly in relation to size.

Other dry fly patterns worth having on stand-by are: blowflies, black gnat, royal wulff, hopper and flying ant.

Mackenzie Lakes and rivers are worthwhile, or fish the Ashburton Lakes.

Salmon season is upon us

Sea-run salmon and trout anglers enjoying a day of fishing on the scenic Rangitata River.’ Photo by Nikki Dellaway

The 24/25 sea-run salmon season has begun, we have heard of the odd catch on the Rangitata/Rakitata but it is still early days.

95% of last years reported harvest across CSI and North Canterbury rivers occurred after the first of January last season. For the Rangitata 75% of harvest occurred in February and March.

The Waitaki River is traditionally later and we anticipate the first of the Waitaki salmon will come through in February. Last season, 78% of the Waitaki River harvest occurred in April alone.

Remember the season bag limit card and a pen must be carried with you while fishing sea-run salmon waters if you have any intention to catch a sea-run salmon or keep one incidentally caught while targeting other species like trout or kahawai.

All the information you need to know can be found on our website here including how to obtain your sea run salmon licence and season bag limit card, for a $5 charge.

The list of sea-run salmon waters can be found in the first question of our FAQ’s for sea run salmon anglers.

Women learning the basics of fly fishing at a previous Women on the Fly Event. Picture by Gebhard Krewitt

Ladies fly fishing workshop opportunity

There are only a few spaces left for South Canterbury Anglers Club’s fly fishing workshop supported by Women on the Fly NZ.  All skill levels welcome.

Come along to meet and connect with like-minded women in a fun and supportive environment.

Learn the fundamentals of fly fishing, get hands on practice with fly rods, knots and casting techniques.

When: Sunday, 26th January 0900 – 1600
Where: NZ Deer Stalkers Assoc. Clubrooms, 50 South Street, Timaru
Cost: $40

To register for this weekend, contact [email protected] or click here

 

Tight lines,

Nikki Dellaway
Central South Island Fish and Game
 

 

 

 

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