Fishing report for the North Canterbury Region Friday 21 March 2019

Hello and welcome to the North Canterbury region fishing report.

Firstly, on behalf of North Canterbury Fish & Game I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victims resulting from the tragic events last Friday. 

I also offer our sympathies to the wider Muslim community and all Christchurch residents who were affected by the shooting.

I have had requests to mention a particular victim who was an angler well known  to many of you. 

Out of respect to the official identification process, I am reluctant to mention any individuals at this point in time.

  Instead I would just like to express my sympathies for all the victims and their friends and families. 

On a brighter note, the weather this weekend looks like it is going to be a cracker. 

There is a large high over the South Island which is going to bring calm settled weather. 

There hasn’t been any rain in the last couple of days so all the rivers will be fishable.

There was a small fresh in the main salmon rivers last weekend which has added a nice colour to the rivers for salmon fishing. 

These rivers will be low and clear again by the weekend as they are dropping fast. 

The water temperature is good though and the salmon are running in all the main rivers.

For trout anglers, there will be heaps of options this weekend. 

All foothill streams will be running clear.

They are also continuing to drop and will be quite low by the weekend. 

The backcountry would be a great option, hardly any wind and clear low flowing rivers. 

This will mean great conditions for fly anglers, March is a month when trout respond well to dry flies.

The high country lakes would be another fantastic option this weekend. 

Lakes will be calm especially in the mornings. 

There may be an easterly breeze reaching inland by the afternoon. 

There will be great boating conditions on the bigger lakes such as Sumner or Coleridge.

Notice to anglers-volunteers needed

Attention anglers! Fin Clipping Weekend at Montrose Club Funds Raising Event on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th April, 2019.

The second part of the annual chinook salmon smolt fin clipping program will begin at the Montrose hatchery at 8.30 am, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th of April.

It will probably involve two partial days clipping finishing around 2pm with a good team needed on both days.

This important task of marking chinook salmon for the purpose of identification within the fishery is one of the most essential fisheries management tools we have. 

North Canterbury Fish & Game is inviting members of the New Zealand Salmon Anglers Association and the Canterbury Lurefishing Association, and members of the public to assist with the task of adipose fin clipping around 140,000 salmon smolt at the site.

These smolt stocks are destined for release into the Waimak, Rakaia, Coleridge, Kaikoura rivers, and the West Coast in July.

It's estimated that 40 volunteers are needed to complete the task on both days.

Members of the public are also very welcome, so invite your friends and their families to enjoy the comraderie of anglers on this social and educational event.

Fish & Game rangers and council members are also invited to take part over the weekend.

The car pool meeting point will be at the Yaldhurst Hotel car park, at 7.30am both days.

Volunteers who haven't been to the Montrose hatchery before and are making their own way up, should head for Blackford Road which is the first road on the right after crossing the Rakaia Gorge bridge; it is on the south side of the river.

The entrance to the property is six kilometres up the road from the turn off and it will be marked by an angler access sign.

If the road turns to shingle, you have gone past the entrance by a couple of kilometres!

Fish & Game will provide a barbecue lunch on the day.

Warm clothes and wet weather gear is advised. Gumboots or waders are also advised.

An indication of numbers from the clubs, or members of the public prior to the weekend would be appreciated. Please use the contact below. 

Tell all your friends! A good crowd is needed for this one! Looking forward to catching up with you all, for what is not only a valuable part of fisheries enhancement process, but also a great social event for anglers. 

Report an environmental incident

 Anglers have asked us how do you report an environmental issue or incident to Environment Canterbury or your local council?

The best way is to use the Snap,Send,Solve app for your mobile phone.

You can find out how to use this app or other ways to report an environmental issue here.

Tight lines.

Tony Hawker, North Canterbury Fish & Game Officer.