Angling: Middle reaches of the Pomahaka worth look

The fishing looks quite promising again this weekend, but then again I am an optimist so it may pay to check the websites before setting out to your favourite water.

Speaking of favourite waters, I am going to change my tune this week and suggest that the middle reaches of the Pomahaka would be worth a look as it is quite low whereas the Mataura has risen somewhat.

Although it is not high, the Mataura has risen over 30cumecs and, as I tap this out, it is still rising in the middle reaches.

I fished the Pomahaka last year at this time when conditions were similar and I had a very good day catching several fish, including a couple of nice sea trout. If the Pomahaka does not live up to its reputation then it is not far to the Clutha which, between generation rises, is at an ideal level for fishing.

Mayfly hatches seem well established in the afternoons now and should stay like that until the end of the season so keep an eye out for them.

As soon as there are a few duns on the water, expect to catch fish on the nymph until there is a well established rise to the dun then swap to a surface fly.

Last Monday, I fished the Mataura with my son, Chris. The journey down was quite exciting - trying to keep the car on the road in the strong wind and trying to avoid the biggest branches littering the road.

By the time we got to Wyndham the wind had dropped to gale force which lifted our spirits.

The river was low and clear and it was mostly sunny making it easy to spot fish. Well, it would have been easy if there were fish to spot.

It was well over an hour before I saw a fish but only managed to spook it. After another half hour I hooked and landed the first for the day.

The wind which was in the northwest gradually swung round to the southeast and, by early afternoon, was well set in that quarter.

This wind change heralded a change in the fishing with trout appearing in the shallows feeding on nymphs. They were relatively easy to catch with the ruffled water making them less wary.

I was catching them on a hare's ear nymph until it clouded over, and coming to some faster deeper water, I put on a tungsten bead head nymph which was readily accepted by several trout in quick succession. And so ended another great day on the Mataura.

On January 26, a meeting of the Waitaki Riparian Enhancement Society was held in Glenavy hall and 106 people attended, all with an interest in improving the salmon fishing on the Waitaki. A follow-up meeting is to be held at the same venue on April 20 at 7.30pm.

The aim of the group is to build a hatchery and at this meeting the steering committee will present the options for heading towards this goal.

RIVER AND LAKE CONDITIONS

River and lake conditions are compiled by Fish and Game Otago with information from the Otago Regional Council received at 9am yesterday.-

General Situation: There has been a definite chill in the mornings recently which has reduced water temperatures. Often this concentrates fish and insect activity towards the middle (warmer) part of the day. Showers are predicted for many areas tomorrow, but the forecast for Sunday is mostly fine.

North Otago Coast: The North Otago area is experiencing one of the driest March rainfall periods in living memory. Streams in this area desperately need significant rain. Much of the bed of the Shag River is bone dry.

The Waikouaiti and Kakanui rivers are in slightly better shape and still flowing. Anglers may be best to target estuarine waters or the Waitaki lakes and river which have been fishing fairly well recently. The salmon season in the Waitaki River closes at the end of this month.

Southern Lakes Area: Heavy rain in the Southern Alps resulted in significant freshes in many back-country rivers recently. The Dart River went over 1000cummecs. Many rivers are still residing and discoloured. As they continue to drop, anglers may encounter fresh runs of trout moving upstream. Land-locked salmon should start spawning in Diamond Creek soon.

Anglers can expect discoloured water near major river mouths. Whitebait and salmon should still be schooling near river deltas. Trolling with bright-coloured Tasmanian Devils between the clear and dirty water can often be quite productive.

Central Otago: Lake Dunstan remains in good condition. Although there has been some rain in the upper catchments most central rivers such as the Lindis and Manuherikia remain low and clear. The Nevis is at 8cumecs and in good order.

Taieri Catchment: Rain in the very upper Taieri River catchment has increased flows slightly but the river at Outram remains very low. The Loganburn and most irrigation dams are very low. To boost local fishing opportunities, F&G has recently stocked Sullivans Dam with trout from the OceanaGold Macraes hatchery.

Southwest Otago: Recent rain has slightly increased flows in the Waipahi and Pomahaka rivers but they remain at fishable levels. Moderate numbers of salmon are holding in deeper pools of the Clutha below Roxburgh and there should be the odd salmon in the Pomahaka.

March and April can produce some fantastic mayfly hatches in South Otago and Southland Rivers on calm afternoons, so anglers are advised to make the most of what is left of the season. F&G would greatly appreciate frozen heads (and the fish length) from any brown trout caught in the Lower Clutha River for a scientific study. - Morgan Trotter, Otago Fish & Game Council

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

- Mike Weddell

 

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