Weekly Fishing Report – Central South Island - 29-10-2020

The big news this week is that a world record size brown trout was caught at the canals.
Weighed in at 44.3 pounds on the Pleasant Point Butchers certified scales, it comfortably beats the current record of just over 42 pounds which was caught in the Ohau C Canal, back in 2013 by Otwin Kandolf.
Above Right:The 44.3 pound brown trout held up by staff of the “Razza” in Twizel' Credit Sean Colenso via the Twizel Community Facebook page
Otwin’s catch will remain the official record unless the angler goes to the effort of having it confirmed through the International Game Fishing Association.
Seeing as the angler wishes to remain anonymous it looks as if it won’t grace the record book but seeing as it was weighed on certified scales, world record chasers can rest assured that there is a new “unofficial” benchmark of 44.3 pound to beat.
This week I can share some other news of “getting caught” with a prosecution being completed recently.
Back in June a Ranger encountered an angler fishing without a licence on the Tekapo Canal at the Magic Carpet.
Additionally, this angler refused to hand over his rod for seizure on request by the ranger, in doing so committing obstruction.
The angler was convicted of both offences and fined $1,000 by the judge.
If you think that behaviour was poor and penalty was hefty, it gets worse.
The same angler was encountered fishing without a licence in the exact same place by the same Ranger previously, nearly a year to the day back in 2019.
In that case the penalty was $600.
It’s still early season and a great time of year to hit the water.
There is some weather to contend with this weekend in the high country, expect some wind and rain on Saturday if you are up around Twizel and Tekapo.
That may add to the already elevated flows of the Rangitata and Ashburton rivers and make fishing difficult.
On Sunday, the rain will probably clear early to a sunny day, but temps might be a bit cool and wind might still be enough to deter small boats from hitting the exposed parts of the big lakes like Benmore and Ohau.
For the low country its going to be a general mild and overcast weekend, which will provide some good opportunities for fishing.
A wet front rips through overnight on Saturday but should clear off quick enough for some good fishing to be had on Sunday.
If the rain causes a small bump in flows on the lowland rivers that are currently flowing low and clear that might benefit the fishing and entice the trout to feed actively.

John Ferran caught this nice brown trout on the Ashburton River while the water was high using a streamer' John Ferran
Last week I heard from John Ferran who had been fishing the Ashburton River upstream of State Highway One as the flows were receding and clearing up.
On his fly rod, using a floating line he caught a great brown trout on an outing with his dog Allie.
The successful fly was a Mrs Simpson, which probably imitated a bullie or juvenile trout in this case.
John used a small piece of split shot on the leader to get the fly deep in the swift current.
I’m always keen to share fishing stories and photos from the CSI region in these reports, so don’t hesitate to let me know how your fishing is going this season, email radams@fishandgame.org.nz
It’s not far until our High Country Opening on the first Saturday in November (7th).
Time to plan your trip, sort the accommodation and if you haven’t done so yet purchase your 2020-21 sports fishing licence.
Anglers that travel to target opening days will be aware that high country waters for the Otago and Southland Regions open on 1 November while for CSI and North Canterbury they open on the First Saturday in November (7 November).
There are also December Opening’s, Backcountry Endorsements and Controlled Fisheries regulations to keep in mind too!
Be sure not confuse the regional boundaries and opening dates and double check in the 2020-21 regulation guide when the fisheries you intend to fish actually open!
If you need further clarification call the Fish & Game Office of the region where you intend to fish, our number here in Temuka for the CSI Region is 03 6158400.
Tight Lines
Rhys Adams, Central South Island Fish & Game Officer
Categories
Archive
- 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