Where they run into Otago lakes the water will be discoloured, but fishing the edges of the coloured water will often produce fish that are there to feed on any food being washed in from the rivers.
Fishing at the edges of the colour gives fish a better chance of spotting your fly or lure.
Most other rivers and streams are in good order except the Clutha which has risen again due to the greater discharge from the lakes.
The same applies to the Waitaki where the dams are spilling. If you can find clear backwaters or small side streams there is a good chance of finding fish, too.
When fishing streams that are low and relatively clear but where the surface is ruffled with the wind, or when the light is not good for spotting fish, increasing your catch rates may be achieved by looking for features that could attract fish.
For instance, if there is a log lying in the water or there is an overhanging bush or a weed bed, a few casts close to them may produce a fish or two that are using those items for cover.
The choice of fly or lure is not critical, as trout are generally opportunistic feeders and will grab anything that looks edible.
I know that trout are sometimes selective and concentrate on one food item but that is usually when there are high numbers of a particular food item such as willow grub or mayflies on the surface.
At the moment, willow grubs are falling from the trees and any trout seen rising frequently beneath or downstream of willows will probably be feeding on them.
If a lot of willow grubs are falling, fish could also be feeding on them in open water.
If you cannot see what the fish are feeding on, assume they are on willow grub if the rises are regular and often and they refuse your offerings.
You will need to go down to a size 16 fly to catch them. The pattern is not critical most of the time.
On the subject of willow grub, I fished the lower Taieri the other day and found several fish feeding on these tiny creatures.
Getting the fly to them without hooking willows or logs piled up from floods was the main problem. Trout are awkward like that — always looking for somewhere to make it hard for the angler.
I lost the odd fly in the vegetation but also caught several trout.
The other things that trout were feeding on, thankfully out in open water, were adult damselflies.
The fish jump at these insects as they fly over them making a big splash which helps the angler to locate them.
I fished for these trout by casting a #12 hare’s ear nymph at them and giving it a couple of short pulls which produced the desired result.
