North Canterbury Fishing Report Thursday 17th October 2019

Take A Kid Fishing

The annual Take a Kid Fishing day is on this Sunday at the Groynes Fishing Lakes.

Right: Last years Take A Kid Fishing event. 

Organised by the Kids Fishing Charitable Trust and supported by the angling clubs of Canterbury, this event is a fantastic day for young anglers and all credit should go to the trust.

The Isaac Wildlife Trust have donated around 800 salmon for this event, along with a few large rainbow trout.

This is a free kids fishing day and adults are allowed to assist but not fish.

The organized event starts at 9am and runs until 1pm for children 12 years and under.

There is no fishing until 9am and children over 12 years can fish from 1pm. 

Weekend weather

Prospects for North Canterbury anglers don’t look great for the weekend.

There is a big Nor-wester about to hit the West Coast and is likely to spill over into Canterbury’s headwaters which will bring all the alpine rivers down in a fresh tomorrow.

Strong winds will also deter all but the keenest of anglers.

Leading up to Christmas, anglers should make the most of any drop in river flows between Nor-westers which can often build on the tail of a previous fresh and cause rivers to remain unfishable for a considerable period.

The Ashley and Selwyn are not usually affected by Nor-west rain in the alps and should hopefully be fishable despite the wind and rain that is forecast this weekend.

There have been a few sea-run trout spotted in the lower Waimakariri and this should improve right up until Christmas as these trout follow whitebait and soon the silveries into the river.

High Country Opening

Planning ahead, the opening of the high-country lakes is only a fortnight away on Saturday the 2^nd November, which will be celebrated again this year with a fishing competition at Lake Coleridge.

With a great prize pool generously sponsored by Christchurch City Hunting & Fishing.

The competition is free to enter and the weigh station will be open from 9am – 1pm in Ryton Bay, with prize giving shortly after.

Illegal fishing

While out fishing this season, anglers are our eyes and ears in the field and are encouraged to report incidences of any illegal activity they may see while fishing, taking note of vehicle registration numbers would be helpful.

Rangers will be increasing their activity over the coming season, so a friendly reminder also to please carry your licence on you at all times when fishing.

Please check the regulation guide before venturing to new areas to fish this season, as there have been the odd regulation change this year.

A reminder to anglers that fishing for salmon is not permitted until 1^st December this season.

Good luck if you are heading out for a fish this weekend.

Steve Terry, North Canterbury Fish & Game Officer