Weekly Fishing Report – Friday 1st October 2021

Hello and welcome to the North Canterbury weekly fishing report. 

Opening day is upon us, and the weather is looking fantastic with a large high pressure system moving over the country.

The rivers are all in tip-top shape, especially the low-land rivers such as the Ashley/Rakahuri River, Selwyn/Waikirikiri River, Waipara, and their tributaries, which are carrying considerably higher levels of flow than the previous couple of seasons.

The Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere system and its tributaries are showing signs of being fantastic local options for Opening Day, with the lake being opened to the sea early last week and plenty of water flowing through the system over winter.

There have been reports of large shoals of brown trout in the lower Selwyn/Waikirikiri River.

Anglers in the region have a few new options opening on the 1^st October this year, including Lake Taylor, Lake Selfe, Lake Pearson, Lake Lyndon and Lake Guyon.

October is a fantastic time of year to target browns cruising in the shallows for food.

Small inflowing stream mouths, no matter how insignificant, are likely to be holding post-spawning rainbows also, and will be an easy target with a bright coloured lure or fly.

As per usual, make sure you check the regulations before heading out. https://fishandgame.org.nz//assets/DMS/Fishing/Follow-the-Fish/Regional-Fishing-Bulletins/2022-Special-Winter-Edition-Fishing-Report-Central-South-Island/FG-Fishing-Regs-SI-21-23.pdf

Our back country rivers may be a little bit of a tougher option, with heavy rain last weekend, making them high with some potentially still discoloured.

The Lewis Pass system typically clears quite quickly but will still be flowing above average.

The fish may tend to be smaller than previous seasons this year after a wet winter and less mice around last season.

Be sure to get a Back country Licence Endorsement for your license before you head out to any rivers where they are required.

See further details here: https://fishandgame.org.nz/licences/fishing-licence-info/backcountry-licence/north-canterbury-backcountry-fisheries/

Above:  An angler hooked up early season in the Canterbury high country. 

Pro tip:If your boots have sat in the shed all winter, make sure you check your laces before heading out as they can sometimes get brittle after sitting dry for so long.

There’s nothing worse than getting to the river on opening morning and having your boot laces break.

Sea-run salmon season bag limit card

Just a reminder that your sea run salmon season bag limit card will arrive separately to your fishing licence.

If you have ordered your sea run salmon season bag limit card, rest assured it is on its way.

Also, a reminder that sea run salmon season bag limit cards need to be returned at the end of the season. 

Lake Coleridge Ryton Bay Access

Many anglers have been keen to drive into Ryton Bay but due to significant damage to the access road caused by the winter floods this has not been possible.

Lake Coleridge is closed to fishing from 1th of October until Saturday the 6th of November.

Glenthorne Station have informed us they are repairing the road, and will have it open in time for this.

They have also kindly offered to let anglers camp in an area set aside near the top of the Ryton Bay access road again this year for that opening weekend.

This is also where we will be having the Lake Coleridge Fishing Competition again this year.

This is a fabulous event so make sure you put it in your diaries!

More details to follow.  

Compliance Issues

If you see any illegal activities, please Call Fish and Game on 0800 327426 or Emily Arthur, (021 221 8332).

We will try and get a Ranger there asap.

Have a good one out there this opening, get out there and make the most of it!

Tight Lines from the Team at North Canterbury Fish & Game