Weekly Fishing Report – Central South Island 07-11-19

The high country could be a bit windy this weekend as there are several westerly fronts forecast to hit the main divide over the next four days.
In terms of river levels, I’d be keeping a close eye on anything draining the main divide like the Ahuriri and Rangitata rivers – in fact those two rivers are up a bit already.
Low country river levels will be good but remember the Waitaki River is controlled by a dam and flow are essentially unpredictable.
If you want some tip for accessing and fishing the Waitaki River click here, word on the riverbank is that locals have been catching plenty of trout up to 7-pound this season.
Right:Frank Bluch and his 29-pound rainbow caught flyfishing-credit Nicor Sutherland
Low country rivers like the Opihi and its tributaries would be my pick of fishing spots this weekend as they can offer pockets of shelter from the wind, it should be sunny on Saturday and there are some fantastic fishing opportunities there currently.
There could be some widespread rain on Sunday, but it might turn up late so best to check the forecast for yourself and I’m sure you’ll find a window of opportunity to get out for a cast.
Check out the ECan river flows website here.
There are plenty of weather forecasting websites to review, I use metvuw, yr.no and metservice mainly.
The weather won’t matter for the canal clean-up event on Saturday, just dress appropriately.
We encourage young and old to attend this community event and help tidy the place up.
I attended the last clean-up event and can recommend it as a great community event with an epic free lunch.
If you love spot prizes there are usually a ton of those too, thanks to the event sponsors.
Meet outside Jakes Hardware in Twizel town centre at 8:30am for briefing and spot prize registration.
Free BBQ lunch and spot prize giving at 12:30pm.
If you can’t make it up to Twizel how about getting on board with the concept and picking up some rubbish at what ever spot you end up fishing…
World Record
If you needed an extra incentive to get up to Twizel, maybe a photo of a line-weight world record?
Trophy hunter Frank Bluch got in touch to say that yesterday he caught and released a 29-pound rainbow flyfishing with 2kg tippet, a pending world record.
Frank used a shooting head-line and a #6 white super flash zonka fly.
The high-country season got off to a great start last Saturday.

Jim Aldridge with one of four 'keeper' lake salmon landed on Opening Day at Lake Heron' Credit R Adams
Rangers where out on lakes Heron, Merino and Poaka and the Twizel, Fraser, Tekapo and Hakataramea rivers.
No offences were detected by the rangers and by all accounts most anglers really enjoyed the opening experience.
Lake salmon numbers were modest at Lake Heron but many locals attributed that to the too-calm conditions and the dozens of hex wobblers smacking the surface of the lake probably spooking them out into the depths.
A good Nor West this weekend will be treated as a good opportunity to test that theory and perhaps try catch those brownies that cruise the shoreline in the wind-whipped waves.
The Hakataramea River was in good condition and fished well.

Rob Sinclair - Opening Day on the Hakataramea River
Rob Sinclair shared a nice pic of a good-sized brownie he got there on opening day.
We have had a couple of tag returns from opening weekend so when fishing the Haka and Waitaki rivers please remember to keep an eye out for yellow numbered tags attached near the trout’s dorsal fin.
Please get in touch with us to share the tag number and other information ph: 03 6158400, email: csi@fishandgame.org.nz
Central South Island Fish & Game’s Twizel Kids Salmon Fishing Day
Another successful Kids Salmon Fishing Day was held by Central South Island Fish & Game on Sunday the 3rd of November at Loch Cameron.
Xavier Smith nets a salmon for Sonny Ennis at the Fish & Game Kids Salmon Fishing Day' credit R Adams
70 youngsters and their families attended and gave salmon fishing a go in a relaxed and encouraging environment.
Around 35 fish were landed at the event.
A massive THANK YOU goes out to the teams at Mt Cook Alpine Salmon and High Country Salmon who are keen supporters of young anglers.
These local salmon farms made the event possible with their generous gift of the salmon for the event.
Spot prizes were generously donated by Fish & Game, Jakes Hardware, Southern Alps Outdoors, Meridian Energy and local fishing guide Will Spry.
All the kids went home with a spot prize that will be used on their next fishing trip.
There are still a fair few salmon in Loch Cameron.
We encourage you to take a child or Junior angler out fishing to Loch Cameron over the next few weeks while this opportunity lasts.
Please be aware that only Child licenceholders, aged 11 and under can bait fish at Loch Cameron. Junior anglers age 12-17, and adult angler are restricted to fly and spin methods only.
The daily bag limit is two salmon.
Please refer to the 2019-2020 sports fishing regulation guide to ensure you are legal. If you need clarification on the regulations feel free to call the office – 03 615 8400 or email csi@fishandgame.org.nz
Tight Lines
Rhys Adams, Central South Island Fish & Game Officer
Categories
Archive
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- December 2013
- March 2013
- September 2012
- July 2012