No one river has produced better than another with excellent reports from the Clarence to the Waitaki on the eastern side and similarly good catches on the West Coast. The fish are bigger than average and the condition has been excellent.

Visiting anglers have shared in the spoils. Just over a week ago I guided two Wellington anglers onto their first ever salmon. One even took his limit of two one day. Talk about beginners luck!

We can only hope that the improved run will continue for the next few seasons at least. While not equalling the halcyon days of long ago there are plenty of anglers with grins on their faces this season. 

Enthusiasm was unbounded and a lot of fun had by all. Whilst we saw plenty of trout they were not in any serious danger, especially when a cold easterly wind made conditions pretty miserable in the afternoon. The course participants voted the exercise a great success and want to have follow-up day in October when the season re-opens.

As there is so much interest Graeme is offering tuition to single anglers or pairs throughout October and November, and again, next winter.

A typical day will cover areas such as stream insects, trout habits and habitat, equipment, rigs, casting, techniques etc and wherever possible will include a practical session, probably on the Opihi or Temuka river. Accommodation close to the river can be arranged. To register interest or find out more phone 03 614 8266 or e-mail GRM6@xtra.co.nz

Rate: $400 (can be shared by two anglers)per day.

An exerpt from “Stalking and Catching Trout” by Les Hill and Graeme Marshall. Halcyon 2005.

Despite the excitement generated by the sighting of a veritable monster slurping large terrestrials off the surface or weaving from side to side in a fast run as it intercepts nymphs, the fisherman must let the initial excitement and nervousness subside before attempting to enter the fray. A sudden hasty movement or heavy footfall could make all the difference between a successful day and a totally blank one.

Once a fish is spotted, move quickly but with stealth. Excessive procrastination is not wise as trout are contrary creatures and could cease feeding quite without warning. If the fish is feeding actively, go to it. be warned though - few of nature’s creatures are as well endowed with survival equipment as rainbow and brown trout.

An exerpt from “Stalking Trout” by Les Hill and Graeme Marshall. Halcyon 1985.

 

In angling terms it portrays crystal-clear waters, deep green pools and sparkling ripples with margins of flourishing forests or grasslands, crimson-flanked rainbows and fat, speckled browns; places where the only sounds are the dawn chorus, the rustle of a breeze in the trees or insects voicing their presence in the heat of the day. The angling too has shimmering qualities - thrashing fish, dripping lines, smiling faces and the honesty of solitude. They still exist, those sparkling places.

Exerpt from “Images Of Silver” by Les Hill and Graeme Marshall. Halcyon 1993.

As water levels dropped in big rivers like the Rangitata and Waitaki fly fishing came into its own with plenty of large, well-conditioned fish available during the middle of the day. We enjoyed some particularly productive dry fly fishing when the big browns came to the surface to take advantage of prolific mid afternoon caddis hatches.

Nymph fishing was still productive right up until the last day of the season on the Opihi with the writer enjoying some of the best fishing of the season during the last week, and with not another angler in sight. A team of #16 nymphs fished under a small indicator proved deadly with the fish holding in fast, moderately deep water.

It was interesting to note that some fish were already on their spawning redds during April.

The writer is now avidly awaiting the arrival of the first sea-run browns in the lower reaches of the main Canterbury rivers. A good rain is overdue. When it comes it should attract the sea-runners along with the first runs of whitebait. Last winter saw some spectacular sea-run fishing, especially during August. Whitebait patterns such as silicon smelt work well but so too do standard gold and silver beadhead nymphs once the fish get up-river a bit.

Just last Sunday I accompanied John Booth to a pool well up-river from the mouth. Within a couple of casts John had succeeded in hooking his first ever salmon on a white Zed Spinner. He subsequently landed a medium-sized but well conditioned fish.

Most salmon angling is spin fishing and for anglers not averse to spinning it adds another dimension to the Canterbury experience. The accompanying pic shows John anxiously playing out his first of the season.

Not so in South Canterbury. The first couple of months of the season have seen steady flows of crystal clear water, good hatches and free rising trout. I have been staggered by the quality of the fishing in a couple of local streams. Just a week ago I landed and released the best conditioned brown I have ever personally landed (and believe me there have been a few over the years). It weighed in at a tad under 6lb but was only just over 20 inches long! My only regret was that I didn’t have the camera on me to record the event. On one local water I have not caught a trout weighing under 3lb.

They are hogs.