Reel Life November 2024 - Nelson Marlborough

600 trout were recently released into the Branch and Leatham Rivers (photo Jacob Lucas)

Branch/Leatham Helo Release

We have recently completed a release of 600 rainbow trout into the Branch and Leatham rivers by helicopter.  300 fish have been liberated in the Branch River, upstream of May Stream, and 300 into the Leatham from Boulder Stream up to Spaniard Stream. 

This release is an exciting one for Fish & Game staff as a lot of work goes into the preparation for this release, and we know how much anglers love heading up there fishing. 

Remember – access to the Branch is restricted to weekends only (3pm Friday to midnight Sunday) due to active logging.  You may park near the lower Leatham and walk upstream in the lower few kms of the Branch and return via the riverbed.

Recent floods washed out the Leatham road at Boulder Creek, however, a bird's eye view from the helicopter showed this crossing appeared to have been rectified.

Thanks to the team and Helicopters Nelson for their support and performing a flawless release, and to Manawa Energy who provide financial backing for this release.

Softbait Clinics a Success

We have completed a couple of soft bait clinics, one at Lake Argyle and another at the lower Wairau River.  The clinics were delivered by Josh Ponder of Henderson’s Ltd sports shop in Blenheim.  Josh is one of the region's top soft bait anglers and has an excellent knowledge of local fisheries and how to catch trout in them. For the soft bait clinics, Josh showcased the best lures to use, how to fish them, and how to read the water to maximise your chances.

Everyone who attended learned a great deal, with the main point being that presentation of your soft bait is key, and the more you can manipulate your soft bait to give it action the better your chances.  Another major takeaway was never to use a swivel or clip to attach your soft bait, these mess with the action and reduce your catch rate.  While not essential, using braid with mono/fluro and a specific soft bait rod will improve your success.  The longer length and stiffer tip of a specific soft bait rod allow better manipulation of your lure and a more realistic imitation of small fish that trout can’t resist.

Although Lake Argyle was dirty for the November clinic, anglers immediately put their new skills to the test and managed to catch several rainbow trout and one brown trout which was great to see.

Due to the popularity of the clinics, we have opened up more spaces for the upcoming Wairau River clinic on Sunday 1 December (10am-midday), and Lake Argyle on Sunday 8 December (10am-midday). To get in on the action, register below.

Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/Uj4p51xnMC

Josh delivered an excellent workshop at Lake Argyle recently. (photo Jacob Lucas)

Drift Dive Update

We have kicked off our drift dive season, however high flows have limited the number of rivers we have dived so far, with the Lee and Riuwaka rivers completed.  The Riuwaka was a standout and recorded one of the best results in years, especially at the top site below the North and South Branch confluence.  Over 40 large brown trout were seen within this site, and some of the fish were of exceptional quality, deep and fat.  Trout appeared to have survived the recent 120 cumec flood well, and it appeared this flood had created improved habitat and pool morphology, going to show not all floods are bad.

Next up is the Takaka, Motupiko, Opouri, Wangapeka and Travers which we aim to complete before Christmas.