Reel Life - February 2016
Autumn …season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, said the poet.
Not sure about the mist but it's mellow and very warm, with plenty of bugs on the wing, including cicadas at full noise, for trout to target.
Even after some torrential rain some rivers and lakes are drying up quickly to create challenging angling conditions. But the good news is that anglers in the South Island are finally catching a salmon or three.
Salmon fever is taking hold in Marlborough anglers and even during recent low river flows the Wairau has been delivering the goods. There are reports of salmon being caught in some of Southland and West Coast lakes. Well-conditioned salmon in the 8-20lb range have been caught in the Canterbury Plains river, the Rangitata – and for a little novelty, kingfish are being taken at the mouth. Our staff note that "there's still plenty of time left to catch the fish of a lifetime.”
High country lakes like Benmore have turned on some excellent fishing, and the seasonal 'carnival' is in full swing on toasty Lake Rotorua as anglers fish shoulder to shoulder targeting the fish gathering at the stream mouths in search of cooler conditions.
P.S. - This month's cover pic shows A fabulous South Canterbury brown trout from a spot so secret its location is kept in a locked vault.
P.P.S - If you think you've got a freshwater fishing image worthy of featuring on our 'cover', email it to Don Rood for consideration.
