Fishing: Waitaki River place to be

The effect of the not-so-summery weather last weekend was short-lived. The odd bouts of rain raised the level of some streams but within a day or two they were back to low levels.

The forecast for the next few days is looking good, and conditions should be ideal for fishing this weekend. The Waitaki River will be one of the places anglers will head to. The trout fishing is good at this time of year and it is about now that salmon start to appear in greater numbers.

Even more so than trout, the number of salmon caught is directly proportional to the number of anglers chasing them, always assuming there are some there in the first place. So the numbers being caught over the next few weeks should increase.

The lower Clutha is looking very good at the moment with very little daily fluctuation, holding under 300 cumecs. That means there is a lot of water accessible that is usually beyond reach.

With the drop in temperature, especially with smaller waters, the chances of afternoon mayfly hatches have increased considerably. Some waters are down to single-digit temperatures, letting us know that autumn is well and truly here.

Last Saturday morning, Sarah Brightman and I hurtled south into the teeth of a gale and what was at times heavy rain. While Sarah warbled on, I was thinking how good the fishing should be as a souwesterly blow usually brings good fishing.

While the gale-force winds promised good fishing I still like to make things as easy as possible and sought out somewhere sheltered to fish. The high banks on the west side of the Mataura just below Mataura township seemed to offer the nearest thing to comfort under these circumstances.

I chose a favourite spot to start and while I was walking to it I had a few casts along the edge of the river and caught a couple of fish.

I braced myself for action when I came to the hot spot. I scoured the water with a pair of nymphs and produced one fish of half a kilo. Somewhat deflated, I fished on into some reefy water that I normally bypass and caught a couple more. The morning was not living up to its promise but at least I had caught a respectable number of fish.

If anything, the gale strengthened in the afternoon and as I walked downstream I saw the first rise of the day and managed to catch it after a lot of casting. Another couple of rises produced another fish, also to the nymph.

Some duns began to trickle down and more fish began to rise, although they looked as if they were taking nymphs below the surface and they were, as several took my nymph - enough to make it my best day of the season so far.

River, lake conditions

River and lake conditions are compiled by Fish and Game Otago with information from the Otago Regional Council.

General Situation: Most rivers throughout Otago are at normal or below normal levels and are clear and fishable. Water temperatures have dropped back recently and anglers can expect more fish activity in small streams during the middle of the day.

North Otago Coast: The North Otago streams are very low and require rainfall. There have been fish strandings in the Hakataramea recently. The salmon catch in the Waitaki has increased over the past two weeks. Anglers are reminded that the salmon season in the Waitaki River closes at the end of this month. Trolling for land-locked salmon has also been quite good in Lake Waitaki. Trout are feeding on the last of the willow grubs in areas that have over hanging willows nearby.

Southern Lakes Area: Most back country rivers are low and in good condition for fly fishing. Trout and salmon are starting to congregate around the river mouths in preparation for spawning. Fishing the deep water off the delta areas can be very productive at this time of the year.

Central Otago: Lake Dunstan has been low and clear. Rainbows are starting to school up off the Clutha River mouth. Anglers fishing from the shore have been struggling but anglers fishing from the boats in the deep water have been doing well. Green woolly buggers with red beads often fish well in Dunstan at this time of the year.

Taieri Catchment: The Taieri is low and clear right throughout the catchment and fish are beginning to congregate around tributary stream mouths. A lot of these fish will be starting to display spawning behaviour. Spinning lures with a dash of red may entice them to strike. Sea trout and salmon may been holding up in deep pools of the Taieri Gorge area.

Southwest Otago: The Clutha River below Roxburgh is low and clear and in great condition. Salmon have been recently spotted from the dam wall at Roxburgh. Try small silver or copper coloured lures and light line when the river is so clear. Adult white bait are congregating in tidal reaches of the Clutha system for spawning. Fishing with imitations such as parsons glory lures can be very effective on large trout. Electric fishing surveys in the Clutha have revealed good numbers of juvenile lamprey in backwaters. A juvenile lamprey type imitation (some of which are a fluorescent blue colour) might produce surprising results. All other rivers are low and clear and in good order for fly fishing. Anglers can expect mayfly hatches on small streams during calm afternoons.

Waterway - Water Level/Condition
Kakanui River - Very low, clear
Shag River - Very low, clear
Taieri River at Canadian Flat - Low, clear
Taieri River at Outram - Very low, clear
Pomahaka River - Low, clear
Waipahi River - Low, clear
Clutha River at Balclutha - Low, clear
Clutha River at Cardrona - Low, clear
Hawea River - High, clear
Lake Onslow - Medium, clear
Lake Dunstan - Low, clear
Lake Hawea - High, clear
Lake Mahinerangi - High, clear
Lake Wanaka - Medium, clear
Lake Wakatipu - Medium, clear