Backcountry Trout Fishing Fires into Life

Photo Above: Harry shows off an early season brown trout, caught using some "rusty casting". 

It's been one of those starts to the season that gets anglers talking.

A prolonged spell of warm, settled weather has blanketed much of the region, and perhaps most surprisingly for North Canterbury, we've enjoyed plenty of those golden spring days without the usual relentless nor'westers tearing across the landscape. For anglers, it has created an almost endless window of opportunity to get out and make the most of what's on offer.

The backcountry fisheries currently open have been the standout performers. Reports from anglers willing to put a few kilometres under their boots suggest some exceptional fishing has been had, with plenty of trout encountered in excellent numbers and improving condition. Many fish are still not far removed from their spawning run and are now entering that critical period where feeding becomes a priority. Rather than sitting cautiously in the depths and inspecting every offering, many trout have been actively hunting for larger food items to quickly regain lost condition.

That has translated into some outstanding fishing. Larger streamers, attractor flies and bulky nymph patterns have accounted for plenty of fish, while soft-bait anglers have also been enjoying success with bigger, brightly coloured presentations. When fish are focused on packing condition back on, they can be surprisingly aggressive, and anglers prepared to fish confidently with larger offerings have often been rewarded.

One of the rivers within the Lewis Pass Designated Waters is running at a good fishable level on a day that is perfect for sight fishing. 

The calm conditions have only added to the experience.

Crystal-clear flows and minimal wind have made for some exceptional sight-fishing opportunities, with anglers able to carefully stalk fish through long stretches of water. There have been plenty of reports of trout happily holding in relatively shallow lies, sliding out to intercept flies or soft baits well before they would normally be expected to later in the season.

Of course, no two days are ever the same in the backcountry, and success still comes down to covering water and putting the time in. Those anglers willing to walk a little further, fish a little harder and think outside the box have generally found the best rewards. The beauty of the current conditions is that there seems to be a bit of everything on offer, whether you're prospecting deep runs with a big streamer, drifting nymphs through pocket water, or flicking soft baits into likely holding areas.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from recent weeks has been the sheer optimism among anglers returning from the hills. After a long winter, there is something special about seeing trout back on the chew, rivers in great shape and favourable weather lining up at the same time. If these conditions hold through the coming weeks, there is every reason to believe we're in for an absolute cracker of an early season.

For now, the advice is simple: take advantage of it while you can. Dust off the pack, grab a handful of bigger flies or your favourite soft baits, and head for the hills. The fish are hungry, the rivers are fishing well, and opportunities like this don't stick around the entire season.

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Perch Perfect

Emily holds up a cracker Red Fin Perch caught using a silver and peach coloured softbait.

After seeing some impressive perch catches appearing on social media in recent weeks, North Canterbury staff decided it was time to see if the rumours were true. An evening trip to Lake Forsyth quickly confirmed what many local anglers already know: this underrated fishery is producing some fantastic perch and appears to be in very healthy shape.

Armed with light spinning gear and a selection of soft baits, first-time perch anglers Harry, Emily, and Jackson set out to test their luck. The standout performers were small smelt-style soft baits, particularly those with natural silver finishes and just a touch of colour along the sides. Fished slowly around likely holding water, they proved irresistible to the hungry perch.

The action came steadily throughout the evening, with fish showing up in good condition and providing plenty of excitement on light tackle. By the end of the session, seven perch had been landed, although the scoreboard told an interesting story. Emily and Harry accounted for every single fish, while Jackson managed to perfect the art of catch-and-release without actually catching anything first, returning home with the dreaded donut.

Beyond the friendly competition, the trip highlighted just how accessible this fishery is. Located only a short drive from Christchurch, Lake Forsyth offers anglers the chance to target a species that often flies under the radar compared to trout and salmon. Yet perch can provide fast-paced action, are relatively easy to target with simple gear, and are a great option for families or anglers looking to try something different.

Harry displays one of the Red Fin Perch he caught using a silver and black softbait. 

Redfin perch are also widely regarded as one of the finest freshwater eating fish available in New Zealand.

Their white, flaky flesh is mild in flavour and lends itself well to everything from a simple pan fry to a full fish-and-chip feast. For anglers looking to take home a meal, perch can be an excellent addition to the chilly bin.

Even better, there is no daily bag limit for redfin perch in North Canterbury, making them a great species to target if you're keen to put some quality table fish on the menu while helping keep numbers in balance. Just be sure to utilise any fish you keep and follow all current fishing regulations.

Given the quality of fishing on display, staff are now looking at putting together a short "How-To Perch Fishing" video, covering the basics of tackle selection, soft-bait techniques, and where to start when targeting perch in this close-to-home fishery. If you've never given perch fishing a go, Lake Forsyth might just be the perfect place to start.

Designated Waters Signage Added to DOC Huts

The first of our new Designated Waters signs has been installed; first up was the Magdalen Hut in the Lewis Pass. 

North Canterbury Fish & Game has recently started installing new information signs in several Department of Conservation huts along the Te Araroa Trail. The signs are designed to help walkers and thru-hikers identify when they are near Designated Waters Fisheries and provide information on licence requirements and fishing regulations.

With thousands of people travelling the trail each year, the signs offer an opportunity to introduce visitors to some of the region’s unique trout fisheries while helping ensure anglers are aware of their responsibilities before casting a line. If you're walking the trail and carrying a rod, be sure to check the signs for information on nearby fishing opportunities and the regulations that apply.

North Canterbury Field Journal: Spawning Runs, Community Connections & Compliance Patrols

In this episode, we catch up on a busy few weeks across the region.

Staff recently joined the Ferrymead Fishing Club at Burnsco Northwood to share insights into the work happening behind the scenes to manage and monitor North Canterbury's fisheries.

We also head back into the high country where spawning surveys continue throughout the Harper and Avoca catchments. Trout numbers are increasing steadily, with 74 spawning fish recorded during the latest survey, indicating that the spawning run is continuing to build.

We also share the latest compliance figures from the opening weeks of the season.

In this Field Journal:

• Ferrymead Fishing Club presentation at Burnsco Northwood
• Harper and Avoca spawning survey update 74 spawning trout recorded.
• Opening season compliance results 127 licence checks completed across the region

A huge thank you to all licence holders who help make this work possible and support the future of freshwater fisheries in North Canterbury.

Tackle Tip Of The Week: Floatant & Dry Shake Are a Fly Angler's Best Friends

When it comes to fly fishing success, presentation is everything. Yet one of the most overlooked pieces of gear in many anglers' vests is a simple bottle of floatant and a quality fly drying shake.

Even the best dry fly will eventually become waterlogged after landing a fish or making repeated casts. Once saturated, it sits lower in the surface film, becomes harder to see, and often loses the natural drift that triggers trout to rise.

A good floatant applied before fishing helps repel water and keeps your fly riding high, while a drying shake allows you to quickly restore a soaked fly back to its original buoyancy. Simply squeeze excess water from the fly, drop it into the drying bottle for a few seconds, give it a shake, and it's ready to fish again.

This small routine can dramatically extend the life of your dry flies throughout a session and save valuable time that might otherwise be spent changing patterns.

Before retiring a drowned dry fly, give it a quick treatment with a drying shake and a fresh touch of floatant. You'll be surprised how often a fly that looks finished can be brought back to life and continue fooling fish for the rest of the day.

Free Online Resources for Every Angler

Looking to improve your chances of success this season?  Anglers around New Zealand now have access to a growing collection of free online fishing resources designed to help make time on the water more enjoyable, productive, and rewarding.

Whether you're preparing for your very first day on the river or you're a seasoned angler looking to refine your skills, the online knowledge hub contains a range of practical guides and helpful information covering topics such as fishing techniques, tackle and equipment selection, fish behaviour, access opportunities, regulations, and much more.

Drawing on the knowledge and experience of Fish & Game staff, these resources have been developed to help anglers build confidence and gain a better understanding of both the sport and the fisheries they enjoy.

One of the great things about fishing is that there's always something new to learn. Understanding where fish are likely to be holding, how changing conditions affect trout behaviour, or simply making the right gear choice can often make all the difference between a quiet day and a memorable one.

The resources are free to access on your phone, tablet, or computer.

As we head into another exciting season, there's never been a better time to brush up on your knowledge, learn a new technique, or pick up a few tips that might help you land your next fish.

Weather Outlook 

Christchurch

Rakaia

Waipara

Culverden

Hanmer Springs

Arthurs Pass

Lewis Pass

River Flows in m³/s

As of 2:10 pm 22 October 2026

Waiau Uwha at Malings Pass: 6.502

Waiau Uwha at Marble Point: 65.242

Hurunui River at No.2 Hut: 9.559

Hurunui River at SH1 Bridge: 56.585

Ashley River at Lees Valley: 6.888

Ashley River at SH1 Bridge: 8.797

Waimakariri River at Below Otarama: 62.019

Waimakariri River at Old Highway Bridge: 89.859

Selwyn River at Whitecliffs: 3.1

Selwyn River at Coes Ford: 2.304

Halswell River at Ryans Bridge: 0.879

Harts Creek at Timber Yard Road: 1.738

Rakaia River at Fighting Hill: 143.907

To help you plan your fishing adventures, be sure to check the following resources:

• E-Can River Flows: River Flow Data
• Outdoor Access Live Cameras: Live Cameras (subscription required)
• MetService Weather Warnings: Weather Warnings
• Windy: Wind Radar
• Yr Weather Service (most accurate for High Country): Yr Website
• Canterbury Weather Updates: Webcams and Website
• See It Kiwi: Webcams
• River Check: Fishing & River Flow Information
• South Island Freshwater Fishing App (not made by F&G, Apple only): App Store

Stay safe out there!

Please note: This weather update is current at the time of publishing. We recommend checking the latest forecasts, river flows and road conditions before heading out.

New Issue - Fish & Game New Zealand Now Released

The latest issue of Fish & Game NZ magazine is out now. 

If you don't have your physical copy, you can still catch up on all the action and get ready for the season ahead by reading the magazine online - just click on the cover above or PRESS HERE.

Click the licence below to get your licence today!

Ever wondered where your licence money goes? Check out this chart below for a breakdown. 

Next Video Report: 29th October 2026
Next Written Report: 5th November 2026

Tight Lines,

Jackson Meecham, North Canterbury Fish & Game Officer & the whole North Canterbury Team.