There is nothing 78-year-old Brockville man Glyn Beattie likes better than a quiet, clear river on the first day of the fishing season.
A weekday opening was often quiet and it left him plenty of room to find the perfect spot on his favourite fishing river, the Taieri, he said.
And he should know. He has held a fishing licence every year since 1952.
''More than ever I like the Taieri - it's a good river.''
He tested the waters at Outram Glen yesterday morning, before heading on to an undisclosed spot for the rest of the day.
''I would have hoped to have one [trout] by now ... maybe, someone got here before me.''
His appreciation for the views and ability to see the countryside while fishing was the result of immigrating to New Zealand in the 1950s.
In Mr Beattie's homeland of Scotland there was not the freedom to fish any river as there was in New Zealand.
He had noticed more green algae in the river.
''Sometimes it can look like a paddock and it never used to be like that. I'd never drink it now.''
Fish and Game Otago operations manager Ian Hadland said the fine, calm start to the day attracted many anglers.
At Southern Reservoir alone, a ranger counted about 29 anglers yesterday morning and at Poolburn Dam 26 anglers had landed more than 80 fish.
''One angler caught 16 himself and only took home one fish around 2kg in fine condition. Biggest fish weighed in at just over 3kg.
''Poolburn has fished very well today despite blustery conditions.''
Licence sales continued to increase, with about 5000 sold online in Otago so far. Numbers for the old paper system were not yet available.
