Fishing conditions continue to improve throughout the region as waters gradually fall.
Because the ground is wet due to all the rain in recent weeks, it is taking longer for rivers to get back to normal levels. In the long term, this is probably a good thing for the fish as they will not be stressed by low, warm water as is often the case at this time of year.
Safe bets for the weekend would be the Mataura, the Pomahaka, the Taieri and the Waipahi, all of which are at a good fishable level. Because they are relatively cool, hatches of mayfly can be expected in the middle of the day.
Another spot that might appeal for fishing in a few weeks is the Teviot River. The Teviot has a reputation for holding a large number of small fish that are relatively easy to catch, but it does hold some large and medium-sized fish too.
The reason I mention the Teviot is because there is a fishing competition there on Sunday, March 13, from 8.30am to 4pm at the Bridge Huts section of the river.
This is a competition with a difference as it is to gather information about the trout population of the river. This information will be used to provide baseline fisheries data for the Teviot River hydro scheme resource consent monitoring.
So far, there is a 12-year record which is one of the best for any Otago river. The more people who fish, the more information can be gathered.
The competition is sponsored by Pioneer Generation and you could win one of several spot prizes of fishing tackle vouchers to the value of $50. Every entrant is in to win one of these regardless of the number of fish caught.
To enter, you must. -
• Fish as part of a two-person team so that you can help each other in measuring your fish and recording the area fish were caught in.
• Register at the cattle stop on the road along the Teviot opposite Bridge Huts bridge on March 13 from 8.30am on.
• Carry your own metric tape measure and notepad to record fish lengths.
• Weigh in any fish you wish to keep.
• Hand in your record of the day's catch at 4pm to be in the draw.
The fork length of the fish is measured and recorded and this way you can return fish if you wish.
To find the Teviot River, cross the Millers Flat bridge on the Clutha River, turn left and then right on to the Tima Burn road to Lake Onslow. At the intersection with the Lake Onslow Rd turn left. At the intersection with the Bridge Huts Rd turn right.
The weigh-in station and registration will be at the first cattle stop on the road on the true left bank upstream of the bridge.
Proceed to the river and fish up or downstream from the registration site.
The Teviot River is on map NZMS260 G43.
This is your chance to contribute to science.
- Mike Weddell
RIVER AND LAKE CONDITIONS
River and Lake conditions are supplied by Fish and Game Otago with information from the Otago Regional Council received at 9am yesterday. -
General situation: Weather conditions and river flows have remained unsettled over the past week. Many larger rivers are still recovering from high flows. Thankfully, the forecast is looking better for most areas this weekend.
North Otago area: The Shag is at a medium level, clear and fishable, the Waianakarua is clear but rising and the Kakanui is high and slightly discoloured. The Waikouaiti River is at a medium level, dropping and slightly discoloured. The Waitaki River is dropping but it is still discoloured.
Southern Lakes area: Many back-country rivers received another large fresh during the week. Fish numbers have been reported to be low in rivers such as the Lochy. Tim, from the Glenorchy Hotel, reports that the lower reaches of the Greenstone and the delta area have been fishing quite well, and there has been good salmon fishing in Lake Wakatipu recently.
Diamond Lake and Diamond Creek are both milky in colour. Most of the major lakes remain high. Water clarity will be the best away from discoloured river delta areas. Trout may be found searching flooded lake margins for worms and terrestrial insects.
Central Otago: Dry fly fishing on the high-country dams has been quite difficult with most fish holding in deeper water. Worm anglers, and fly anglers fishing with sinking lines have enjoyed the most success over the past week. The Manuherikia is high and discoloured, the Lindis is dropping and clearing and the Nevis is at a medium level, clear and in good condition. Lake Dunstan is clear enough for fishing in the Clutha arm but discoloured in the Kawarau arm.
Taieri catchment: The Taieri River is full and slightly coloured throughout its length. Angler numbers have been fairly low on the Maniototo irrigation dams over the last week. Coal Pit dam has been fishing fairly well. Lake Mahinerangi remains high and clear.
Southwest Otago area: The lower Clutha remains high but is clearing. Some well conditioned sea-run trout from 2-3kg have been caught by worm anglers in the lower river recently. Spin fishing may also be effective as the river continues to clear. Some salmon should be starting to show up soon, and hopefully a run of sea-trout will move into the Pomahaka system. The Waipahi and Pomahaka are dropping and clearing after receiving another fresh.
Waterway - Water Level/Condition
• Kakanui River - High, slightly discoloured
• Shag River - Medium, clear
• Taieri River at Canadian Flat - Medium, slightly discoloured
• Taieri River at Outram - High, slightly discoloured
• Pomahaka River - High, dropping and clearing
• Waipahi River - Medium, dropping and clearing
• Clutha River at Balclutha - High, clearing
• Clutha River at Cardrona - High, dropping and clearing
• Hawea River - High, fluctuating
• Lake Onslow - Medium, clear
• Lake Dunstan - Medium, discoloured in Kawarau Arm
• Lake Hawea - High, discoloured near river deltas
• Lake Mahinerangi - High, clear
• Lake Wanaka - High, discoloured near river deltas
• Lake Wakatipu - High, discoloured near river deltas
For fishing and detailed river information online visit: Fish and Game, www.fishandgame.org.nz; Environment Southland, www.es.govt.nz/index.aspx; Otago Regional Council, www.orc.govt.nz/Portal.asp; Environment Canterbury, www.ecan.govt.nz/home/
