Angling

The less than optimal weather earlier in the week has had mixed effects on waters throughout the region.

Rivers and streams have been up and down a little over the last week, but not enough to be too disruptive to fishing.

The rain over the last week put some fresh water into most streams but some had more than others.

Most of the other anglers I meet on the river are old codgers like myself, or at least middle-aged codgers, but very few are young people, which is a pity.

The thundery weather during the week has raised the level of some rivers while others have remained very low.

This week, as I waded into what looked like a clean gravelly ripple, plumes of silt billowed from the gravel and discoloured the water for several metres before sinking to the riverbed again.

We should be coming into a good spell for fishing if the weather forecast stands the test of time.

The hot days this week will no doubt have excited anglers who like to fish the tussock lakes, when trout are feeding on cicadas.

When I picture in my mind’s eye my next day fishing it is always sunny, warm and calm.

Summer conditions are suddenly upon us, waters have dropped to even lower levels than last week and in some the water temperatures has exceeded 20°C.

Most rivers and streams are trending down in level, but the odd heavy shower passing through this week pushed some back up a little.

Fine days this week have improved river conditions throughout the region.

I hardly dare write this so I will type it quietly — things are looking good for some sport on rivers this weekend.

Yet another season has come to an end and like all other seasons, it has had its highs and lows.

River conditions have improved over the last week although that may not last.

There is not much of the season left, so the priority should be to get in as much fishing as possible before the end.