Reel Life February 2026 - Otago

From surface smashes to deep drops

Welcome to the Otago edition of Reel Life for February.

Otago Reel Life is a compilation of highlights from recent Otago Weekly Fishing Reports. Read below for how to sign up for your weekly fishing news.

Image above: Spot the angler. Jeff Briggs watching a feeding rainbow deep in the backcountry. Photo: Cole Briggs

The Otago Weekly Fishing Report is published free weekly on Thursdays during the main fishing season.

• If you haven’t subscribed, you can click here.
• The weekly report will be emailed to your inbox with up-to-date fishing conditions, weather and river flow information to help improve your catch.
• You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at the work Otago Fish & Game does for our licence holders.
• You can catch up on previous regional reports on the Fish & Game website: Regional Fishing Reports - Tagged with Otago

Mixed methods paying off

Here’s a taste of what you may have missed in our recent weekly fishing reports:

Riley Anderson (15) with an excellent rainbow trout caught soft-baiting in Lake Hāwea and a brown trout caught on a self-tied Pheasant Tail nymph. Photos: Alex Ryan, George West

Fifteen-year-old Riley Anderson from Hāwea says adapting to the conditions is half the battle in a tricky season. Riley has been fishing consistently for seven years and, while he says he “likes it all – spin fishing and fly,” he’s deliberately worked to build skills across both methods. He took up fly fishing two years ago to complement his spin fishing, and that flexibility has paid off during a summer marked by unsettled weather and fewer opportunities.

“I only got out five days maximum because of the weather,” Riley said. “But the days that were good, I made the most of them.”

One of those good days was mid-January at Lake Hāwea, where Riley was fishing with mates from a boat near the mouth of the Hunter River. Rather than trolling, the trio cast soft baits towards shoreline structure — bushes and submerged logs — targeting fish holding tight to cover.

Riley’s 3½-pound rainbow trout took a paddle-tail soft bait rigged on a 1/8oz jig head. By focusing on structure and casting into likely holding water, the three anglers landed 10 fish between them — nine rainbows and one brown. Riley says he releases all his fish.

A month earlier, he tried a different tactic entirely while fishing a creek in Central Otago. There, a nicely conditioned jack brown trout fell to a Pheasant Tail nymph — a fly Riley tied himself.

Riley says anglers shouldn’t limit themselves.

“Don’t stick with one style of fishing, because then you can’t do it all the time. If you just fly fish, you can’t always do it off boats. If you just spin fish, it’s harder to catch fish sight fishing. So, it’s a mixture.”

It’s a mindset that will serve him well. Start young, keep learning, and adapt to the conditions.

Shoreline cicada action

A chunky Lake Wakatipu brown trout that couldn’t resist the extra protein of a cicada pattern. Photo: Jakub Kanok

Shoreline cicada fishing has been firing, says Otago honorary ranger Jakub Kanok, who recently enjoyed an excellent day on the shores of Lake Wakatipu with his close friend Igor Slavik. The pair encountered cruising trout that were happy to rise through the water column to smash large cicada patterns.

Fish could be seen cruising the shallows throughout the day, particularly near steep cliffs and native bush, where trout were waiting for cicadas blown onto the water. Jakub and Igor both found success casting from the shore and from the boat. When fishing from the boat, they made sure to stay well back from the drop-off to avoid spooking cruising fish.

Jakub encourages anglers to focus on likely areas where cicadas are most likely to fall or be blown in by the wind. On lakes, steep bush-clad cliffs and shallow beaches where fish cruise are prime spots. Another hot tip when fishing from a boat is that once a fish is hooked, slowly reverse out into deeper water. This helps avoid shallow snags and reduces the chance of spooking other nearby fish.

Earlier in the week, the pair also experienced excellent cicada fishing in the backcountry, with trout feeding heavily into the evening. With warm and windy conditions forecast in parts of the region this weekend, there should be more opportunities to target cicada-focused fish on both rivers and lakes.

Cicada Fishing Tips

• Fish the edges – Target windward lake shores, backwaters, foam lines, and under overhanging trees.
• Match the size – Use a range of sized cicada patterns in natural colours. Don’t be afraid of changing size if getting refusals.
• Fish blind– Cover water methodically; trout will often move a long way for a big terrestrial.
• Let it sit – Allow the fly to drift naturally, adding the occasional subtle twitch to get the trout’s attention.

Staff analysing acoustic data

Staff surveying the deep Otago lakes for trout and salmon. Inset: Software readout showing two Glenorchy fish on the left with a weaker target on the right.

Staff have finished the 2026 acoustic surveying of lakes Hāwea, Wānaka and Wakatipu. We do this survey by snaking our way up the relative shallows of the lakes, following paths that have been surveyed previously. To ensure year-to-year consistency, we calibrated the sounder using a target of known strength which confirms that what we count as a fish is consistent over each year's survey. The data will take a few days’ office work to analyse, but a quick check suggests similar fish numbers to last year. You can read the 2023 through 2025 reports on the Council download sections of the Otago Fish & Game website.

Field observations seem to confirm what many anglers know — fish are generally located around drop-offs or around the thermocline, which is often located deeper than 10m.

Waitangi Day success at Poolburn

Shane Wright with his personal best brown trout an 8lb Hen caught up at Poolburn reservoir on a dragonfly imitation Photo Murray Cramond

Shane Wright, son of former Otago Fish & Game Chair and long-serving staff member Monty Wright, enjoyed a memorable Waitangi weekend session at Poolburn Reservoir.

Just over a year after Monty’s passing, Shane decided it was finally time to fish his father’s custom-made fly rod. What followed was a day he won’t soon forget.

The rod delivered in remarkable fashion, producing Shane’s biggest brown trout to date — a superb 8lb fish taken on a dragonfly imitation. Around half an hour later, he hooked into another quality brown of 6½lb, this time on one of Monty’s own brown feathered lures.

A special day on the water, and one that felt like Monty was right there alongside him.

Drifting the drop-off

Hadlee Edmunds with an excellent rainbow trout caught on the lower Clutha River Photo: Darcy Edmunds

With flows on the Clutha/Mata-Au having dropped back to more manageable levels, there is some excellent angling on offer both from the shore and from small vessels — as Hadlee from Dunedin Hunting & Fishing discovered last week.

In large rivers like the Clutha, trout commonly hold along the deeper edges and drop-offs, ambushing prey as it moves between shallow and deeper water. Fishing from a boat can provide a real advantage in this situation, allowing anglers to cast tight into the shoreline and retrieve back across the shallows and into the drop-off — effectively working the strike zone for longer compared to casting out from the bank.

Hadlee noted that many strikes came after a brief pause once the lure or fly had crossed the drop-off, giving it time to sink into deeper water. That momentary change in pace often triggered aggressive takes.

Soft baits are incredibly effective when fished this way, as are spinners and streamers, particularly when anglers vary their retrieve and make the most of changes in depth and current.

For more information on the lower Clutha/Mata-au click here

Cold-smoked trout, Henry Smith style

Cold-smoked trout infused with Irish whiskey, brown sugar and common salt. Photo: Henry Smith

Cromwell angler Henry Smith has shared his go-to method for cold smoking trout.

He starts by pricking the trout flesh with a skewer, then pouring over a tablespoon of Irish whiskey (and yes, pouring a glass for yourself may be considered part of the process). Let it soak for about half an hour, or a bit longer if time allows.

Massage in a mix of brown sugar and common salt. This helps cure the fish and caramelise the flesh as it smokes. Make sure you’ve got a tray underneath to catch the drips.

Henry sometimes swaps the sugar for maple syrup, paired with whiskey, which he rates highly.

Cold smoke the trout in a cabinet for 4–5 hours until it’s cured and carrying a rich, smoky flavour.

Slice thin and serve on crackers with mayonnaise or use it in a fish pie.

Got a favourite way to prepare trout? Let us know.

Jigging success

Harry Graham-Samson with a brown trout caught jigging off the Matukituki River mouth on Lake Wānaka. photo Paul van Klink.

While visiting Otago to learn about acoustic survey methodology, North Canterbury Fish & Game officer Harry took the opportunity to sneak out for an evening fish with Otago honorary ranger Paul van Klink. Their aim was to test jigging on the large lakes, a technique that has proven incredibly successful in Harry’s home region, particularly around Lake Coleridge.

The outing was highly productive, with Paul and Harry landing three trout over a short period of time. Harry noted that much of the success came from shallower depths, with most fish found under 20 m. He also highlighted the importance of using a range of different flies to entice the trout, as varying patterns and retrieval speeds can make a big difference.

Alexandra Take a Kid Fishing

Action aplenty at the Alexandra Take a Kid Fishing event this month. Photo Mason Court 

The Alexandra District Club held its annual Take a Kid Fishing event this month, and it was a fantastic success. Supported by a number of dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors, 53 families from the Central Otago area enjoyed a cool morning on the pond.

Fish & Game staff were on hand to assist, reporting that the fishing was excellent this year, with children trying out a range of techniques. Throughout the morning, plenty of fish were hooked and landed, with some long-range releases helping teach young anglers proper fish fighting skills. The largest fish of the day tipped the scales at 1.67 kg. Overall, it was a fun and rewarding event that highlighted the joy of introducing the next generation to fishing.

Bush, Balls and Breaking Barriers

Wānaka is set for an evening of raw honesty and resilience when Bush, Balls and Breaking Barriers comes to the Lake Wānaka Centre on Saturday 28 February.

MC Matt Chisholm will lead the night, with former international cricketer Lou Vincent speaking candidly about his own mental health journey. Mental Hunts founder Glen Thurston will share his experience navigating the mental health system, and mental health professional Kathryn Wright talks about pushing boundaries and breaking barriers.

Aimed at the hunting and wider rural community, the event creates a relaxed space for real conversations about mental health. Proceeds support Mental Hunts, with an auction, bar and food available on the night.

Doors open 5pm, programme 5.30–10pm. Tickets $35 via Humanitix. Click on this link.

Please note: Discussions will include mental health challenges, including suicide. Recommended 16+.

Fly fishing course

Learn fly casting, tackle, trout behaviour, what trout eat, flies that imitate that food and how to fish them. These 2-hour sessions over four evenings with Mike Weddell will also cover how to read the water, and how to fish rivers and stillwaters.

• March 9, 16, 23, 30, from 7pm-9pm
• Otago Fish and Game office, 5 Hazlett Road, North Taieri, Mosgiel
• Contact Mike Weddell 027 577 2439 or mike@mikeweddellflyfishing.co.nz

Don’t Forget Your Licence

Get your licence online or visit a local agent.

Click the link for a list of the agents in Otago where you can buy a licence.

Event Calendar 

Click here for upcoming fishing events throughout New Zealand.

• Looking for places to fish? Check out this link: Where to Fish — Otago
• The ORC Environmental Data Portal is an excellent tool for monitoring flow levels.
• Before you head out, be sure to check this season’s regulations: Otago 2025-26 Sports Fishing Regulations.

Want more info? Check out these links or contact our helpful Otago team. 

• Trout Fishing Made Easy 

• Otago Fish & Game Facebook page 

• Otago Fish & Game webpage 

• Otago Fish & Game, 5 Hazlett Road, Mosgiel
• Tel: (03) 477 9076 
• Email: otago@fishandgame.org.nz

 

Tight lines, 

The team at Otago Fish & Game