Puerua Stream This small stream contains a few fish of a
reasonable size in the upper reaches but most of the fishing is done in the
tidal area.
Glenomaru Stream This small stream can hold a few brown
trout which are mostly fairly small with the odd medium sized fish. It can
become very low in summer and fishes best early or late in the season.
Owaka River This medium sized tea stained stream contains a
resident population of brown trout and some sea-runs in the lower reaches. Fly
anglers can experience some mayfly hatches in the middle reaches on calm days.
Worm and spin fishing is popular in the lower section. The Owaka River flows
into the Catlins Lake.
Catlins Lake Good numbers of large and medium sized sea-run
and estuarine brown trout reside in the Catlins Lake. This waterway is fairly
large and has lots of fishing potential. Containing lots of baitfish and crabs
the trout are normally in good condition and excellent eating. Often the best
fishing areas are close to structure such as reefs and logs and near deep holes
and drop offs. During the spring and summer months, evening and night fishing
and can be very productive (especially off the Hina Hina Road on dark nights).
Red Mrs Simpson lures work well in the evenings. After dark, use lures which
present a defined shape against the night sky such as Black Woolly Buggers. It
pays to have strong line because this lake can produce some large trout. Scout
your spot in the day light to identify any snags and remember the lake is tidal
so don’t get caught out. If you see a large bow wave in the dark be careful it
is probably a monster sea-run or a seal!
Catlins River The upper Catlins flows through hill country
pastures before entering the Catlins Forest and then running through grass
flats and spilling into the Catlins Lake. Access to the upper river can be
challenging because of the gorse and other vegetation. Good numbers of small
and medium sized brown trout are distributed throughout the middle and upper
reaches, with the odd large trout present. This river can experience good
mayfly hatches, often on overcast and drizzly days or under forest cover. In
the forested middle reaches fly casting can be difficult because of over
hanging vegetation. This is where light spinning rods with small lures such as
Veltic spinners, and bubbles and flies can be easier to use because no back
cast is required. The Wairepo Creek (a tributary that enters the Upper Catlins
River on the true right hand side) contains a few medium sized brown trout.
MacLennan River This small incised tannin stained stream
contains a few small and medium sized brown trout and flows into the Tahakopa
River just above the estuary. Often fishing is challenging because of dense
bank side vegetation.
Tahakopa River The upper reaches can produce some good fly
fishing on spring and summer days for those anglers keen enough to navigate the
bank side vegetation which can be quite thick in places. In the upper reaches
the best access method can be to walk up the middle of the stream bed so
anglers should take care and wear a good pair of waders or be prepared to wade
wet. The estuarine area can hold some fairly large sea-run trout at times
especially when there are whitebait in the river. Bait fishing in the lower
reaches sometimes produces trout and flounder.
Mokoreta River The upper reaches of the Mokoreta contain
brown trout which are mostly fairly small in size. They tend to rise freely and
take small spinning lures well. This small tea stained stream often gets very
low in summer.
Waikawa This attractive small river flows through patches of
bush and farmland before entering a large estuary. It contains a good head of
small and medium sized brown trout in the upper reaches and the occasional
large fish, especially in the tidal zone.
Lower Mataura River This is the second biggest river in
Southland and probably one of the best brown trout factories in the world. The
lower reaches are well suited to spin and bait fishing and commonly produce
trout around 2kg and the occasional large sea-run fish. Anglers heading to or
returning from the Catlins should make the time to explore this fishery. There
is good access from a well formed road running along the east bank.
Hope this is some help
For more fishing information check the Otago and Southland
region links on www.fishandgame.org.nz
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