Weekly Fishing Report - North Canterbury - 25 March 2021

Hello and welcome to the North Canterbury region fishing report. 

The weather is going to be warm for the plains and coastal areas this weekend. 

The weather deteriorates in the high country with some North West rain building in the Canterbury headwaters on Saturday evening.

It is likely that the main alpine rivers will get a fresh. 

This is most likely to come down the rivers on Sunday morning. 

So anglers should make the most of Friday and Saturday before the rivers turn dirty. 

Currently, they are dropping fast and are clear. 

This will mean challenging conditions for salmon anglers. 

The best area is still the lower Waimakariri.

Trout anglers will enjoy the low clear flow on the larger rivers. 

The Hurunui and Waiau rivers are running very clear at the moment. 

Giving trout anglers an opportunity to explore the middle and lower reaches.

Hill fed streams such as the Ashley and Selwyn are very low. 

The fish are likely to congregate in large pools. 

Luckily some cool temperatures at night have helped keep the water temperature down and the trout are still feeding.

High country lakes are going to be challenging this weekend. 

There may be a small weather window on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning before the Norwester kicks in. 

Likewise, backcountry rivers are going to experience some wild weather building from midday Saturday.

Rangers Competition

Fish & Game will be holding its annual Rangers Fishing Competition at the north side of the Waimakariri River Mouth (Kairaki) on Wednesday the 31st of March. 

This also coincides with the last day of the salmon season, so we expect there will be a reasonable number of anglers there.

Last years competition wasn't able to be held due to the Covid-19 lockdown, so let's take the opportunity that all our hard work over the last year has done to celebrate the wonderful species that is salmon.

Fish & Game will be present in our tent, weigh-in will be from 7.30 am until 1.30 pm, with a prize-giving shortly afterwards. 

We will also be running a continuous free BBQ from 9.30 am. 

The angler with the largest salmon will be immortalised by an engraving on the Rangers Trophy. 

There are a number of spot prizes which will be drawn at 1:30 pm.

Registration is on the day at the Fish & Game tent. Please remember we need to sight your licence for you to enter. For a salmon to be entered it must be caught on the north side of the river between the sea and the yacht club boat ramp.

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