South Canterbury Report October 2008

Conditions have been favourable for anglers this October but reports of success have been quite mixed. While the winter floods were welcomed by some they have caused major damage to the region’s premier river, the Opihi. The writer found fish very scarce early in the month, with many of the prime pools and runs completely altered. Fortunately things appear to have settled down and fish have become established in the better water. Overall though, fish numbers appear to be well down on last season and not a patch on two seasons back. The lack of small fish has been observed by a number of anglers. The lower reaches are well stocked with searuns but they are not easy to catch. The best chance of success is in the twilight when small wet flies fished across and down can be deadly.

Some excellent searun browns are being taken in the lower reaches of the Rangitata and Waitaki. A number of outstanding specimens have been reported. Catches of rainbows in the Waitaki have been well down on previous seasons with genuine fears that the prime spawning areas in the Hakataramea have been adversely affected by low water levels in the past few seasons.

Salmon will be on the minds of many, and with two pretty good seasons in a row hopes are high for an even better one coming up. As I write this just before Labour Weekend reports have been received of a handful of salmon landed already.

The South Canterbury branch of NZ Salmon Anglers is holding a swap meet at the Clandeboye Hall, next to Fonterra, on Saturday November 22. Anglers are invited to bring along any angling equipment that is surplus to requirements. For a $5.00 site fee sellers can dispose of gear. Buyers will be able to gain entry with a gold coin fee. Proceeds will go towards up-keep of the Mckinnons Creek salmon hatchery which is now up and running brilliantly thanks to the dedicated volunteers who have embraced this project. For more information on the swap meet contact: Colette Stone (03) 615 6696 or Phil De Joux (03) 688 1512.

Graeme Marshall is an independent fishing guide; his reports are not officially representative of Fish & Game NZ

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