Yet again river conditions look perfect for fishing this
weekend and anglers are spoilt for choice. The weather
forecast is not threatening and water temperatures are ideal,
being around 15degC.
One water that stands out is the lower Clutha. It is much
lower than usual and has been consistently so for a couple of
weeks.
Also, the daily fluctuation because of power generation is
much less than usual. These conditions are ideal for fishing,
concentrating the fish and allowing anglers to access them.
The lower Clutha has a good population of both brown and
rainbow trout averaging about 1kg, but there are resident
fish that are considerably bigger as well as large sea trout
running through. There are hatches of mayfly and the
associated fall of spinners to bring trout to the surface in
the evening.
Trout will hold in ripples in 0.5m of water or more and a
weighted nymph will catch fish.
A combination of a small nymph and a tungsten bead head is
effective.
The major tributary of the lower Clutha is the Pomahaka and
this, too, is low, giving better access downstream of the
Waipahi confluence to the Clutha. Willow grub will figure
highly in the diet of Pomahaka trout at the moment, which
makes them easy to spot but not so easy to catch. Fishing a
small nymph will often catch them, but if they are picky a
specific willow grub imitation will be necessary.
The other two major rivers of the region, the Taieri and the
Mataura are well worth a visit too. Taieri fish will be on
willow grub and the Mataura fish on the various stages of the
mayfly.
A couple of weeks ago, I fished a couple of tributaries of
Lake Taupo - the Waitahanui and the Hinemaiaia. There was the
usual line of anglers at the Waitahanui, so I had a wander
upstream from the road bridge.
It reminded me of an English chalk stream, with clear, even
flowing water, although the fine pumice bottom seemed to be
constantly on the move. It was too deep to wade but had mown
tracks to the water's edge at regular intervals. I did spot
the odd fish, but they ignored my fly. I covered one fish for
about 15 minutes and it did not move an inch. No doubt they
are used to anglers fishing from these access points.
The Hinemaiaia appealed to me much more. Access was the same
as the Waitahanui, with mown tracks, but it was possible to
wade.
There were few fish in the river; I only saw one, which I
caught on a cicada.
It makes me appreciate our local waters even more.
- Mike Weddell
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