North Canterbury Fishing Report Thursday 28 March 2019

Over the last two days we have seen a very large fresh in the main alpine rivers as a result of the heavy rain that caused widespread flooding on the West Coast - with the Rakaia peaking at over 2,800 cumecs yesterday and 475mm of rain recorded at the Carrington rain gauge.

The forecast is for another nor-wester to hit the alps on Monday, which will likely top the rivers up and they will take some time before they are fishable again.

Anglers will be limited to the high country lakes and smaller rivers in the region for at least a week.

Above right: Five anglers try their luck under the Old Waimakariri BRidge before the fresh hits on Tuesday morning.

The foothill fed streams such as the Selwyn and Ashley did not rise much and are still fishable.

Light winds are forecast for the high country this weekend so anglers should make the most of lake fishing, with only a month of the season left.

Salmon fishing in Lake Coleridge should be productive over this period, as it has been all season.

We are still getting some reasonably hot weather and insect activity around these lakes will still be keeping trout active.

Before the rivers became unfishable, salmon fishing had slowed in all the rivers.

Last weekend saw only three salmon taken between 150 anglers in the NZ Salmon Anglers Association Waimakariri Salmon Fishing Competition.

The Rakaia River has quietened off from the reasonable catches’ anglers were seeing a month ago.

Once rivers clear we should expect to see reasonable numbers of salmon run the Waimakariri, however the other rivers should start to quieten off as salmon head up country to their spawning grounds.

A friendly reminder to anglers, please remember, there's no salmon fishing in the Western Zone of our rivers above the white posts, as we often get reports of this occurring later in the season.

Rangers have been actively patrolling waterways this season and will continue to do so in coming weeks, so please remember to carry your licence with you at all times.

A long walk back to the vehicle to retrieve your licence does not help anyone.

And you risk receiving a criminal prosecution for flouting the regulations, as it's an offence not to produce a licence when requested by a ranger, let alone fish without one!

Notice to anglers-volunteers needed

Attention anglers! Fin Clipping Weekend at Montrose Club Funds Raising Event on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th April, 2019.

The second part of the annual chinook salmon smolt fin clipping program will begin at the Montrose hatchery at 8.30 am, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th of April.

It will probably involve two partial days clipping finishing around 2pm with a good team needed on both days.

This important task of marking chinook salmon for the purpose of identification within the fishery is one of the most essential fisheries management tools we have. 

North Canterbury Fish & Game is inviting members of the New Zealand Salmon Anglers Association and the Canterbury Lurefishing Association, and members of the public to assist with the task of adipose fin clipping around 140,000 salmon smolt at the site.

These smolt stocks are destined for release into the Waimak, Rakaia, Coleridge, Kaikoura rivers, and the West Coast in July.

It's estimated that 40 volunteers are needed to complete the task on both days.

Members of the public are also very welcome, so invite your friends and their families to enjoy the comraderie of anglers on this social and educational event.

Fish & Game rangers and council members are also invited to take part over the weekend.

The car pool meeting point will be at the Yaldhurst Hotel car park, at 7.30am both days.

Volunteers who haven't been to the Montrose hatchery before and are making their own way up, should head for Blackford Road which is the first road on the right after crossing the Rakaia Gorge bridge; it is on the south side of the river.

The entrance to the property is six kilometres up the road from the turn off and it will be marked by an angler access sign.

If the road turns to shingle, you have gone past the entrance by a couple of kilometres!

Fish & Game will provide a barbecue lunch on the day.

Warm clothes and wet weather gear is advised. Gumboots or waders are also advised.

An indication of numbers from the clubs, or members of the public prior to the weekend would be appreciated. Please use the contact below. 

Tell all your friends! A good crowd is needed for this one! Looking forward to catching up with you all, for what is not only a valuable part of fisheries enhancement process, but also a great social event for anglers. 

Report an environmental incident

 Anglers have asked us how do you report an environmental issue or incident to Environment Canterbury or your local council?

The best way is to use the Snap, Send, Solve app for your mobile phone.

You can find out how to use this app or other ways to report an environmental issue here.

Good luck if you are heading out for a fish this weekend.

Tight Lines

Steve Terry, North Canterbury Fish & Game Officer.