Fishing Reports

 

There is no doubt about it now; winter is here in Canterbury. Snow is building up on the Alps and we have had several frosts in Christchurch. The southerly fronts are coming through almost daily with more of the same forecast. Trout The snow fed rivers have had a moderate flush last week from some nor’west rain, but are falling quickly. Fishing for rainbows should be possible again later this week providing no further nor’westers arrive. Some of Canterbury’s High Country lakes have a Winter Season – note that during the winter season fishing is prohibited within 200 metres of any inflowing stream. Lakes Selfe, Lyndon, Pearson, Taylor, Sumner, & Loch Katrine open for their winter season on 1st of June and close on the 30th September. Lake Coleridge opens on the 1st of June and closes on 31st of August. See the South Island Sports Fishing Regulations 2000-2001 for further details and for information on boat fishing regulations. Four Christchurch fishing clubs will have teams heading down to The MacKenzie Country over Queens Birthday Weekend to (mainly) fish the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore in their annual Brass Monkey competition for the Four Ways Trophy. Competing clubs are: Canterbury Anglers Club, Ferrymead Fishing Club, and the fishing sections of both the Woolston & Papanui Working Mens Clubs. This competition has been held annually for over 20 years and provides an interesting record of the change in fishing methods, catch rates & fish size. Saltwater Over the past fortnight the weather has produced some heavy seas. Small boat owners should ensure that they wear plenty of warm clothes and life jackets at this time of year and keep a good eye to the weather. Southerly fronts can come in very quickly. On calm days the charter boats will be busy catering for anglers targeting groper, trumpeter & blue cod. Local fishermen are concerned at the potential of severe ecological damage from the truck accident at Kaikoura which dropped a quantity of rat poison in the sea. To date damage seems to have been very localized. Authorities are monitoring the situation. For further fishing information contact Malcolm & the boys at The Complete Angler 03 366 9885

 

From steve Smith

Report type: Saltwater and Freshwater

Report date: 28 May 01