After the less than ideal weather last week, things have been much better from the angler's point of view this week.
Rivers have dropped considerably and many are in good order. However, the big rivers, the Waitaki and the Clutha, are still very high.
The Taieri, too, is highish in the lower reaches but still worth a cast.
Choosing a water to fish is difficult but if I was keen on cicada fishing, it would be the tussock lakes on Saturday, otherwise the Pomahaka, the upper Taieri or the Mataura on Saturday or Sunday.
Although we are still in summer, the water temperatures are more like those of the autumn, mostly in the mid-teens Celsius.
This is a good thing, as it means there is a better chance of a hatch of mayflies during the day.
I fished the Mataura last weekend. I was in Invercargill running a fishing course for the Southland Fly Fishing Club.
The weather was not so good on the Saturday, windy and wet, although quite mild. Luckily, that day was spent in the classroom.
However, Les Ladbrook and I did fish what we hoped would be an evening rise above Wyndham bridge on the Saturday evening.
It was still windy when we left Invercargill, although the rain had passed, but when we got to Wyndham it was warm and calm with the wind swinging round from the west to the east.
The river was above normal but fairly clear, clear enough to see the bottom in half a metre of water.
We quickly tackled up, putting on a couple of nymphs each and headed for the water.
We immediately saw a couple of rises and soon after I landed a fish and Les quickly followed with another.
There were a few duns on the water so I put on an emerger and a fish that obligingly rose right in front of me took it first cast.
I wandered upstream to where a bush was trailing in the water and spotted a couple more risers, both of which took the emerger.
The wind suddenly turned to the south and the temperature plummeted and it began to rain.
We fished on but nothing happened for half an hour or so, but just as the light was fading we picked up a couple more. At this point the rain really set in and we called it a day.
The next day's class was on the water. Luckily, the wind was not too bad but it was very cold.
The river had dropped and cleared even more overnight and things looked promising.
After practising casting in the morning we split into groups in the afternoon and spread out upstream and downstream.
I took my group to one of my favourite spots and was lucky enough to demonstrate how to hook and land a fish on the upstream nymph.
They all set to, trying to catch their first fish on the fly.
They all hooked fish, although one broke off, so they were all satisfied at the end of a good day on the water and itching to get out again.
- 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 on Thursday.
General situation: Most of our rivers are still recovering from flooding last week. Often, back waters and small streams are the first to become clear and fishable. The Central Otago still waters are mostly high and clear. More showers and rain are predicted for many areas over the next week.
North Otago Area: The Shag and Waikouaiti Rivers have dropped to normal levels and are fishable. The Kakanui River is taking longer to fall. Jamie, from the Lake Benmore Holiday Park, reports that fishing in Benmore has been difficult over the last week, due to the dirty water conditions. The Ahuriri River is dropping and the top of Lake Benmore is beginning to clear now.
Southern Lakes Area: Most small and medium sized back country rivers have dropped to fishable levels, but more rain is forecast for western mountains. Flooding has affected fish stock in some rivers. High flows have washed out some pools and trout are holding in fast water and runs, where they are difficult to spot. Warmer weather has increased terrestrial insect activity and blind fishing with large dry fly cicada patterns has been successful in small rivers. In the lakes, most delta areas remain discoloured and boaties should be on the lookout for floating logs.
Central Otago: The upper Clutha is clearing and this is improving visibility in the top of Lake Dunstan. This lake remains dirty in the Kawarau Arm. Often, pink fluorescent lures fish best in discoloured water conditions. Unsettled weather continues to make conditions challenging for dry fly anglers on the high country lakes. Last weekend, the most successful method on Loganburn was trolling from a boat.
Taieri Catchment: The Taieri River is full and tannin stained in the upper reaches. These conditions are generally better for spin fishing than fly fishing. It remains discoloured in the lower reaches. Yet again, the irrigation dams in the Maniototo such as Blakelys, Rutherfords and Coal Pit are probably the safest bet for fly anglers looking for clear conditions.
Southwest Otago Area: The lower Clutha remains high, discoloured and potentially very dangerous. The Waipahi and Pomahaka are dropping and clearing. Often, sea trout and salmon run upstream after high flows. Anglers exploring the upper Pomahaka as it clears may find some good fish.
Waterway - Water Level/Condition
• Kakanui River - Medium, dropping and clearing
• Shag River - Medium, clear
• Taieri River at Canadian Flat - Medium, tannin stained
• Taieri River at Outram - High, discoloured
• Pomahaka River - High, dropping and clearing
• Waipahi River - Medium, dropping and clearing
• Clutha River at Balclutha - Very high, discoloured
• 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
