Central South Island Weekly Fishing Report - 27 February 2025
- Central South Island
- 27/02/2025
Now’s the Time to Head into the Backcountry!
Few things compare to summer fly fishing deep in the high country for CSI Fish & Game Officer, Rhys Adams - hot, windy days, the constant hum of cicadas, and trout eagerly hunting terrestrial bugs.
Pictured above: Rhys Adams with a prime high country brown trout.
With summer in full swing, terrestrial insects like cicadas, hoppers, and blowflies are out in force, providing a nutritious meal for trout.
When we talk about ‘terrestrial flies’, we’re referring to fly imitations of land-based insects such as cicadas, blowflies, hoppers, and beetles. These bugs land on the water, either by accident or are blown in by the wind, making an easy meal for hungry trout.
“This trip was all about backcountry adventure: shouldering my pack, camping out, and sight fishing in crystal-clear water,” said Rhys.
After camping beside a hidden lake, the morning started with striking a slim brown trout, fooled by agreen damsel fly nymphin the shallows.
As the day heated up and the wind stirred the surface, a few big splashy rises were seen indicated that the trout had keyed into terrestirals. By midday, a prime condition, hard-fighting brown raced in and smashed agrasshopper imitationslapped on the water 2 metres in front of it, proving just how active these fish get when the conditions and feed align.
Camping under the stars, chasing wild trout, and being immersed in the remoteness—this is what high country fly fishing is all about for me.”
Lakeside Surprise – 12lb Chinook Salmon
Paul Poulter with his unexpected prized 12lb Salmon.
Last week CSI Fish & Game Officer Jase Van Beers had the pleasure of assisting angler Paul Poulter in netting a fine 12lb chinook salmon from a lake.
Paul was shocked by the size of the fish and greatly appreciated that Jase was there at the right place at the right time.
“Biggest fish I’ve caught in years! Where heading straight to the Twizel smokehouse with this one”, said Paul happily.
“This is the most scenic fishing location in NZ, been coming up here for years and we just love it”, said Paul and his wife.
Paul caught his salmon on a daiwa laser chinook lure.
Upper Rangitata Sea-Run Salmon Fishing Closure from 1 March
The sea-run salmon season is closed on the Rangitata River upstream of Turn Again Point from 1 March. Red line indicates boundary.
The sea-run salmon fishing season for the upper section of the Rangitata/Rakitata River and its tributaries is closed for sea-run salmon fishing from Saturday the 1st of March.
The upper section is identified as the river and its tributaries upstream of Turn Again Point. Turn Again point is located on Rangitata Gorge Road about 12km upstream of the gorge.
The image above gives an overview of where Turn Again Point is on a satellite map. For a closer look, check out access point 18 on the Rangitata River on our online angler access maps here.
The trout fishing season remains open in this upper section upstream of Turn Again Pont until 31 March.
Refer to page 13 in your 2024/25 sports fishing regulations guide here to view the open season listings for the Rangitata/Rakitata River.
Ecosystem Education on the Ōpihi River
Beaconsfield School observe an eel, bullies and juvenile trout.
Last Thursday, CSI Fish & Game Officer’s Nikki Dellaway and Blake Harper joined Beaconsfield School’s Year 5 & 6 classes at Raincliff Youth Camp for a stream study on the Ōpihi River.
Students got hands-on with an invertebrate study, watched an electric fishing demonstration, and discovered river life, including bullies, juvenile brown trout, galaxiids, and the crowd favourite-longfin eels (tuna).
The key take home message: Everything is connected - the water, gravel, and aquatic life all play an =interconnected role in the ecosystem.
Fish Futures Survey
Help shape the future of NZ’s freshwater fish management AND be in to win a $100-$500 Hunting & Fishing voucher!
Researchers from the Cawthron Institute and Fish & Game NZ are running a survey for anyone who goes freshwater fishing. We want to understand the value of different fishing experiences and your views on modified fishing environments like canals and stocked ponds.
Your answers will help Fish & Game NZ to get more people involved in freshwater fishing, and to make policy and management decisions that reflect what matters to you.
The survey is anonymous and takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Take the survey here: https://tinyurl.com/2zekjjy5.
Weather and Water Outlook
With low water levels high country anglers set off in the upper Rangitata River.
The first weekend of Autumn looks set to be generally settled across CSI according to Metvuw and YR.NO. With days beginning to shorten be sure to make the most of it and put the effort in to tick off those summer angling goals, it’s not too late!
Low river levels according to the ECAN River Flow Website continue to give opportunity to access those usually hard to reach holes.
The predicted long-range weather forecast for the weekend as of Thursday morning is as follows:
Low Country/Temuka
- Saturday, 1 March will begin with clear skies overnight, accompanied by a gentle northeast breeze. As the day progresses, intermittent fog gives way to strengthening winds shifting from north to a steady south and southeast, with light easterly breezes prevailing in the evening. Expect a high of 22°C and a low of 15°C.
- Sunday, 2 March will begin with partly cloudy skies overnight accompanied by a light breeze from the northwest. As the day progresses, clear skies with light air will prevail through the early morning before transitioning to clear conditions with a gentle southeast breeze and finally to fair weather with a light northeast breeze in the evening. Expect a high of 25°C and a low of 14°C.
High Country/Twizel
- Saturday, 1 March will begin with clear skies overnight accompanied by a light breeze from the west. Through the early morning, partly cloudy conditions will prevail with gentle westerly winds, transitioning into fair weather and a consistent light breeze from the west by midday. As the afternoon unfolds, partly cloudy and cloudy skies will continue under steady westerly breezes into the evening. Expect a high of 20°C and a low of 11°C.
- Sunday, 2 March will begin with partly cloudy skies overnight accompanied by light air from the west. As the day progresses, partly cloudy conditions with calm weather take over through the early morning, followed by a transition to partly cloudy skies with light air from the northwest in the afternoon, and finally a light breeze from the west settling in by the evening. Expect a high of 23°C and a low of 14°C.
This forecast was accurate at the time of writing but please remember to check the forecast for yourself before heading out.
Notice Board
ECAN Targeted Weed Spraying
Targeted spraying via aerial control is beginning this week in the following areas:
- Rangitata - Mouth to SH1 – now to end of next week. SH1 to and just above Arundel – next week for 2 weeks.
- Orari - Mouth to SH1 – now to end of next week.
- Opihi - Mouth to SH1 – now to end of next week. Gorge to Seddons road – now to end of next week.
- Lower Waitaki - Mouth to Duntron – next week for 2 weeks.
More information here.
Signage indicating that spraying is underway will be placed at all spray operation refilling stations and public access points on the river. Public access will be restricted during operations.
Meridian Energy – Pūkaki River Spill Notice
Meridian Energy Intends to spill water via the Pūkaki Spill Control Structure (Gate 19) on 01/03/2025 from 06:00 until 16:00 and on 02/03/2025 from 06:00 until 16:00 will affect angler fishing and accessing the Tekapo river below the Pukaki/Tekapo rivers confluence. Flow will reach a maximum of 45 cumecs. Please note this is recreational release.
Central South Island Fish and Game Council - Notice of Extraordinary Vacancy
In accordance with s26ZA(5)(a) of the Conservation Act 1990 and cl 24(1) of the Fish and Game Council Elections Regulations 1990, Central South Island Fish and Game hereby notifies anglers and hunters that there is an extraordinary vacancy on the Central South Island Fish and Game Council.
An election will be called to fill this vacancy if requested by a majority of eligible voters within the CSI Region. Please notify CSI Fish & Game by 5 pm, Monday 10 March 2025 if you support calling for an election to fill this vacancy.
To csi@fishandgame.org.nz or PO Box 150, Temuka 7948.
Please remember to share your angling experiences with us, it helps make our reports more engaging and inspiring for everyone! Please email your reports to Jase, here.