Reel Life November 2020

SPRING RAINS CONTINUE TO HAMPER

The rather wet spring experienced in the top of the South has been a source of frustration for anglers, though don’t fret – the rivers will come good at some point and should start to fire when they drop and the sun starts shining.

The other benefit of the rain (despite being beneficial for mallard breeding) is that the aquifers will be fully charged to deal with the warm summer conditions ahead, which have affected the fishing the past two seasons.

Many anglers have been focusing their efforts on smaller stream or backcountry waters which clear quickly, and if the fishing is timed after a fresh in clear(ing) waters and bright sunshine, then it should be all on for a great day.

From the reports so far, fish are mostly in excellent condition, so there should be some real rippers getting caught this season.

Above: Blair Daniel with a top conditioned fish from a clearing river.

WORM FISHING FOR TROUT – BY TERRY TROUT

Are you struggling to catch fish during the high flows we’ve been experiencing so far this season?

Why not try worm fishing – a highly successful technique if done correctly as experienced recently by local angler Terry.

Terry recently caught some very nice fish on the lower Motueka where bait fishing is permitted at a time when not many anglers were not catching much due to higher flows.

Worm fishing is also a great option for kids, and there are some great spots on some of our local lowland waters, especially in the slack water areas or where the current is slower.

Check out Terry’s instructions here.

Remember: make sure the river (or part of the river) you are fishing is permitted for bait fishing – check the regulations first.

KIDS FISH OUT EVENTS COMMENCED

Big fish were the order of the day for Benji, aged seven and Jonty, five.

Kids Fish Out events have commenced at Challies Island.

On Sunday around 40 kids turned up at the ponds on a sunny morning and plied their trade with the help of a number of local anglers as guides.

Nearly all kids were successful, however the trout were no easy beats, and it was fair to say persistence was the winner on the day.

The biggest fish caught was a whopping 4.6 kgs (10 pounds) and a number in the 3kg range were also landed.

There are a few more events held across the next month so the ponds will remained closed to the public, then opened to licenced junior anglers from December 20.

For up-to-date information on the ponds visit: https://youthfishing.org.nz/

Tight Lines

Jacob Lucas