Even the Clutha, which has been running at very high levels for weeks, is dropping to a fishable level in the afternoons, as the generation peak abates.
The warmth this week has raised the prospects of good cicada fishing on the tussock lakes.
The forecast for the weekend is ideal for cicada fishing.
I have often read in fishing books and articles that low water conditions make fishing difficult.
This is certainly true for salmon fishing, but I have found quite the opposite for trout fishing.
The number of fish in a stream stays the same when the water drops but there is less water for them to hide in and it is possible to fish places that are usually inaccessible.
These factors alone increase the chances of catching fish and there is the added bonus of being able to identify more easily the features that trout prefer to frequent for efficient feeding.
When the water level drops, it also tends to heat up, often to the point where trout have to find positions that afford them enough oxygen to survive.
The best places for trout when the water heats up in streams with an impermeable bed is in deep holes, but there are other spots in gravelly streams that attract trout.
Where there are deep gravel beds, the water flows through and remains cool and when it returns to the surface and joins the free-flowing water, it provides an oasis of cooler water for trout.
I know several places like this on the Mataura and in seasons when the water has been very warm, high numbers of trout can be found there.
The typical position is a long stretch of deep gravel with a sudden step down to deeper water at the tail of it, or where bedrock appears after a long stretch of gravel.
These places are also ideal for trout to pick off nymphs that drift down from the gravel reaches.
It is possible to catch fish consistently with the nymph in such places for hours at a time.
However, in rivers like the upper Taieri, which has a silt bottom, there are few places that provide cool water.
Trout become very sluggish as the temperature rises and the best approach is to fish early in the morning, when the water is at its coolest.
But if in doubt, go to the Mataura.
• Mike Weddell
Rivers and lakes
General situation: A large high pressure system has been situated over much of Otago this week.
Most waterways are at normal or below normal levels, clear and fishable.
• North Otago: All of the North Otago small streams remain very low and require rainfall.
The Waitaki River is fairly high at 500cumecs.
Lake Waitaki continues to fish well and might be the best option for North Otago anglers this weekend.
• Southern Lakes area: All rivers and lakes are clear and in good condition for fishing.
The high pressure system has really increased insect activity, and trout are beginning to target cicadas.
Anglers can experience excellent dry fly fishing on back country rivers at this time of the year.
Cicada, blowfly and bee patterns generally fish well.
In shallows of some lakes water temperatures have been getting high during the heat of the day, pushing trout into deeper, cooler water.
• Central Otago: Trout have been targeting Cicadas on Poolburn and Loganburn over the last week.
Lake Onslow has been producing good numbers of small to medium sized fish on Cicada patterns.
The Upper Clutha is in very good order for fly fishing, especially sedge fishing on calm evenings.
The Manuherikia River, Nevis River and Dunstan Creek are all low and clear.
The Lindis River is getting very low.
• Taieri catchment: The Taieri River at Canadian Flat is at a reasonable level but it is very low in the middle reaches and at Outram.
The south arm of Lake Waihola is clear and in good order for spin fishing.
Lake Mahinerangi remains at a good level.
This waterway can produce good numbers of perch in summer.
These are an excellent target for young anglers using light spin fishing equipment.
• Southwest Otago: The Clutha River has finally dropped to a reasonable level and cleared.
It is presently in excellent condition for spin and fly fishing.
Although not many salmon anglers have been out, a few salmon have been caught lately.
A 9.8kg salmon was caught near Balclutha, and fish weighing around 6kg have been landed as far up as Millers Flat.
Spin fishing in deep holes with silver z spinners may well produce exciting results.
All South Otago streams are clear and in good condition for fly fishing.
Good numbers of fish have been reported in the Waipahi River, which is at a normal level.
The Pomahaka is also in very good order and contains a few sea-run trout at the moment.
Waterway levels and conditions
Kakanui River: Very low, clear
Shag River: Very low, clear
Taieri River at Canadian Flat: Medium, 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: High, 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
• River and lake conditions are compiled by Fish and Game Otago with information from the Otago Regional Council received at 9am.
