North Canterbury Fishing Report 9th March 2018

Dear Anglers, This must be one of the longest periods of unfishable river conditions we have had for a very long time.

However there is hope on the horizon, this weekends forecast is fine inland and the main rivers are dropping to levels that should see them fishable at some stage over the next day or so.

The Rakaia river is flowing at around 250 cumecs, and the Waimakariri at Otarama is at 95 cumecs.

The Rakaia will need to drop to around 180 to be near fishable I would think.

Keep in mind that the last river rise came from Southerly rain which can hold colour for a bit longer with lower flows, than those from NW rain events.

Keep an eye on the ECAN website for river flow levels, but in this case I really think you need to just get out there, and have a look for yourself. 

The high country forecast is a pretty good on also. Sunday looks like a stunning day inland, a good day to take the kids out for a fish. 

It is very difficult to know if there are any fish around as anglers have not been on the river due to the unfishable conditions.

Things are all starting to line up now for salmon anglers with cooler water temperatures, clearing rivers, and also the timing is right. If salmon are there they will be making their run in all of our rivers now. 

There are a couple of high profile salmon fishing events coming up soon. Firstly there is the NZSAA Waimakariri Competition on Saturday the 17^th March.

Entry forms are available at Hunting and Fishing Stores and at the Kairaki Beach camping ground.

This salmon fishing social event is eagerly looked forward to by many anglers so good luck to all involved.

Then two days after that there is the Annual Kairaki Beach Rangers Salmon Fishing Competition. Monday 19^th March from 7am.

This event is confined to the Kairaki Beach area only.

Anglers may register on the day at the Fish and Game marquee and it is free to enter.

A BBQ will be going all morning for the anglers, and typically this social angling event attracts a large number of dedicated salmon anglers. 

Junior Fishery at the Groynes 

Opportunities for juniors anglers under the age of 17 as of the 1^st October for catching fish at the Groynes will be good as long as the weather is cool.

Over 1500 salmon and a few rainbow trout have been released into the ponds over the past 3 weeks.

Hot days are not good for fishing so make the most of the cooler spell.

The Groynes junior fishery ponds are a great place to teach your children how to cast and there is a very realistic chance that they may catch one.

Soft baits and spinner type lures such as “veltics” and bait fishing with shrimps or worms are favoured.

Remember a fishing licence is required for all children regardless of age and it is a 100% Junior Fishery.

Rangers will be frequenting the ponds.

Licences are available at most major tackle stores, or North Canterbury Fish and Game, 595 Johns Road Belfast. Phone 0800 347 426.

Lake Lyndon Family Fishing Day Report 

Last Sunday many families turned up at Lake Lyndon to have a goat the 500 rainbow trout that had been released into the lake for the event.

It seemed the trout really weren’t that interested in the event side of things however, and only a dozen were weighed in by the 84 juniors whom registered.

Despite the trout not being on the go, a great family day was enjoyed by all.

This event is regarded as an opportunity for kids, whom have started out at the Groynes ponds, to experience the next step, the wilderness scene.

In all it was a perfect morning for even though the wind got up a bit late morning. There were some very happy kids winning some great prizes for their catch and spot prizes also. 

As so many of the trout were not caught on the day there will be some fantastic opportunities for good fishing to be had this weekend at Lake Lyndon.

The trout will have settled in nicely by now, you just need to find which part of the lake they like the most.

This Sunday especially looks like good weather inland. This would be a good option for a family fishing trip this weekend.  

Fin clipped salmon 

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for any fin clipped salmon that will be making their way into our rivers soon.

If you do happen to catch a fin clipped fish, make a note of that, and have your information available for the annual phone survey which is carried out at the end of the season.

This information is important to assessing how well the enhancement programs releases did and may help us to decide how best results are achieved.

If you are on the lower Waimakariri and you catch a fin clipped salmon please let others know around you as there is an independent data collection effort going on down there, where all fish caught are being recorded.

This information collected by five regular anglers is proving very valuable.

Tight Lines All, 

Dirk Barr North C Fish and Game