Twizel Area Canals info

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    Posted: 10 Feb 2021 at 4:34pm
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Titanium
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We might be having 3 weeks in SI in March and can't miss the opportunity to have a flick in the canals.
Any tips of where to fish - only taking a spinning rod.
And where to stay, please?
Be yourself; everyone else is already taken
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Rainbow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Feb 2021 at 4:51pm
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I am also going there  in March    The best info I got is from Rhys Adams from CSI F&G and one canal  big fish pro.    Both suggested Ohau C canal.  None have any vested interest unlike shops or guides.   You can talk to Rhys to get more up to date info.   Apparently the browns are starting on the spawning run already.   Probably like the Tongariro.     If you can fish at night, always better for browns.    Dark softbaits or large black streamer fly 
 
Might see you there if not, good luck.
 
Cheers
 
Rainbow
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Jofly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Feb 2021 at 7:08pm
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Worth checking out Fishing Forever Films and Fish The Drift on both YT and on Facebook.  Both of them fish the canals regularly on spin gear.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Fishb8 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Feb 2021 at 10:11am
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Titanium
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Cheers Guys - great info!

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote Rainbow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Apr 2021 at 4:15pm
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It finally happened!   I was all set to fish the canals when the earthquake buggered the road.    Waited two years to replan when I needed knee surgery which laid me up for another year.    Next gremlin was the Corvid lockdown followed by a sudden knee immobility last November.  Had it checked out as all good so rebooked for March to drive down and tour the SI.    I had four days set aside for the canals more particularly to fly fish the Ohau Rv.     First disappointment was that the big fish were not in that stretch as they only move in for spawning, which happens in winter.    So I was stuck with the canals as my second choice.    Luckily I had stocked up on some sinkers and soft eggs and got good advice of where to fish from Malcolm Bell and the guys at the Complete Angler in ChCH.    Once I saw the enormity of the canal scene for myself I realised the value of good honest advice.     For a newbie like myself this was invaluable stuff and I can't recommend them highly enough.      My local contact picked me up at 5am on my first morning.    it was pitch dark and orientation wise the only thing I was still sure was that we were still in the South Island.     We stopped somewhere near water as I heard an occasional splash.    My mate gave me a spinner and in torch light we went down the bank to the canal.     Out there in the dark we heard some really huge churns but neither of us connected  with anything but weed.    When daylight illuminated the surroundings we could see big backs rolling, some not too far out either.
By 7oclck it was all over as the workers at the nearby salmon farm began feeing the farmed fish.     My mate who also works on one of the farms part time said that all the wild fish move under the cages as soon as the pallets hit the water.     We moved to the top of Lake Ruataniwha  where I showed him how to do the Tongariro Roll  Cast. 

After that I was on my  own as he had to work on his roster.    i had been advised to fish Ohau C canal and that was were I spent the next two days egg rolling for one little salmon.     I got some help from a couple of young guys from Timaru who were the only people (and I saw dozens )   who caught fish.    They were egg rolling and one could see they knew what to do.    I saw them catch a 14bls rainbow and a couple of small salmon and when I got there the next morning they had already busted off a big fish.     i quickly found out that my gear was not quite right for egg rolling as i was spooled with 5kg limp braid and was trying to cast a 1/4ounce sinker to the salmon cages that were at least 70-80m away.    i never got anywhere near.    I respooled with 6bls Fireline which made all the difference.     Nevertheless I only reached the cages every third or so cast as my 8' budget rod just was not up to it.    Egg rolling is a very active way of fishing as one has  to keep pace with the drifting egg keeping the line at right angle to the bank.    I am sure I walked many Km during the two days for the reward of one small salmon.    After seeing countless videos of big fish before the trip the actual reality was quite a let-down.   In desperation i contacted my mate to find out where he had taken me the first morning.    As it turned out I had driven past there for the last two days!!!!.     i got up early on my last morning and drove to the Outlet of Lake Ruataniwha.    Once there I recognised the setting we had fished and found fish still ripping up the surface.    Instead of a spinner I used a small softbait which the fish also ignored.    It had been windy all night but while I was fishing the Norwester picked up big time.    I do not know how it happened but on one of my casts the wind ripped many coils of braid off the reel which piled up at the guide as a massive  ball of a tangle.     Game over as I did not have a spare spool and what was left would not be enough if I did hook a big one.     I still had my flyrod in the car and with a shooting head I drilled out long casts to the fish zone.    Instead of a fly I used a 2" curly tail soft bait that had worked so well on the Tongariro the previous winter.     What looked like futile casting practice was suddenly interrupted with a solid hit.    The fish ploughed upstream peeling of most of my 100m of braid backing before it turned and came back with the current.     I dared not to put too much strain on the 8bls leader slowly getting the fish closer and closer.    When it finally broached I was gobsmacked by its size.   Without a net I dragged it into the weedy shore and lifted it clear of the water.   The scales were back at the house and being on my own i could not get the bragging photo I came all the way from New Plymouth.   Back at the water i had one more strike on the swing but did not hook up.    With the temperature heating up  I needed to get the fish home.   So that was it.    I ticked off the bucket list and drove back.    On the way I passed a fisher man whom I asked to take the money shot photo which is attached.    It was a salmon that pulled down the scales to 10.2kg or 22.5lbs.  Surprisingly it was very good eating.   You could say lucky me at last.   

Cheers

Rainbow
          
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Redfinger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Apr 2021 at 4:21pm
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Nice going Rainbow - im sure the fishing is much harder than everyone thinks.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Rainbow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Apr 2021 at 5:10pm
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Hi Russel

Really thought it would never happen.    This said I dont think I could warm up to the canal fishing scene.    Was really trying to fly fish the Ohau River but the fish were not there yet.    Had a really good trip around the Loop with the best thing there were no tour busses with lots of aliens.     Just Greypower members in their camper vans.    Like it was 15years ago.

Since we got home I am hanging out for one last tuna hunt but the weather isn't playing ball.   My wife had cataracts removed so I am on nursing and home help duties for at least a week.   Next on the list is Rotoiti before the water gets to cold to endure a wet arse all day in the kayak.   Then the Tongariro beckons.   new goal is to tune in Spey casting sinking shooting heads    My mate Simon is already there.  https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=359679318712955

 Time is moving so fast when one is older.

Cheers

Herb    

 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Legacy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Apr 2021 at 5:39pm
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Nice one Herb
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Uncle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Apr 2021 at 6:02pm
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Good story & great perseverance shown ( as would be expected of a good keen man) Herb.
You are an inspiration.
I'm keen to get down there one day too but the knee & hip problems are kind of making me think twice.
Something like a whitebait stand for us old buggers to cast far enough from might help, lol.
One day....

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MrWildabeast Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Apr 2021 at 10:31am
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Good on ya fella Clap
Here fishy..fishy....
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Rainbow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Apr 2021 at 12:48pm
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In the short time I was there I talked to quite a few locals as well as the fishing tackle shops in Twizel.    Almost all commented that the fishing in the canals has become much harder over the last few years.     Discount my own experience as I really did not know  how to interpret the local conditions nor the best methods and the best tools to apply them.   I was just bloody lucky!!!      

What I can tell you is the universal rule that when the fishing gets touch the most successful anglers are those who have learnt to think like fish and use the most appropriate gear for the job.     While some of the fishing practices are pretty basic (i.e. soaking shrimps) other methods such as egg rolling are quite refined and require specialised gear, rod, line, sinker ultra fine tippets and 6mm egg imitations.     I saw guys using 6lbs tippets trying to fool tackle wary 20-30lbs monsters.    We are talking about the 10% who catch 90%.    They have scaled down every part of their tackle as well have learnt from long experience.    

What does that mean for all those visiting anglers who are lured to this area by intoxicating photos and videos of big fish harvest by all and sundry?     Most only have a few days like myself and without help are almost guaranteed to leave disappointed.

I never thought I could bring myself to recommend hiring a guide but considering the total novelty of this fishery almost none of your previous trout fishing knowhow is of any value; not in the few days you have got anyway.    If you can join one of the schools run by the Complete Angler or other providers than at least they will advise on the best time to make the trip, take you to places where it is happening at the time and show you all the tricks to secure a hook-up.     This is a huge shortcut for the time-poor visitor.   And just as important.   Please don't make my mistake to skimp on the  tackle.     

Do the math of the cost of the whole trip and I can almost guaranty that what I have recommended is only a small fraction of the total.    However if you want to have the best chance to secure the photo of your life time trophy than that fraction will be the most crucial to your success.   

Cheers

Rainbow



      
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