Central South Island Weekly fishing report - 14 November 2024

As the last two weeks of spring unfold, right now is likely the best timing for this fishing season to target low country rivers and streams such as the Ōpihi river mid-reaches and Tengawai/ Te Ana-a-wai river. Cooler waters with reliable flow provide ideal conditions for resident healthy trout who are actively feeding on abundant food sources, making them more likely to strike well-presented flies.

Recent catches, like Kyle Adams’ impressive 6.25-pound brown trout landed on a #16 soft hackle nymph, show the potential of these waters. With peak conditions and active trout, these last spring days offer a unique chance for unforgettable catches and experiences.

Pictured above: Kyle Adams capitalized on prime low country river conditions this week and successfully caught and released this impressive jack brown trout.

Jamie Johnston’s High Country Opening Weekend on the Tekapo River

The view Jamie enjoyed on the Tekapo River while he took a break from the abundant trout angling action.

Jamie Johnston’s high country opening weekend on the Tekapo/ Takapō River above Lake Benmore was one to remember.

Arriving late Saturday, Jamie set up his swag by the river and woke up to a frosty Sunday morning. He started angling at 6:30 am in clear and flowing water—ideal for spin fishing with brown and rainbow Rapalas.

By day’s end, Jamie had caught and released three healthy trout, lost a couple more, and observed a dozen other good-sized fish along with plenty of baby trout in the shallow pools. Wrapping up around 2:00 pm, Jamie left with a sense of satisfaction, calling it one of his best opening weekends yet.

More Tagged Trout – Building the Bigger Picture

A tagged brown trout headed for the canals.

Keep an eye out for tagged fish in the canal system as we released was 15 tagged trout into the Ōhau C canal last Friday. We hope to learn more about the growth potential and movement of canal trout through the tagging projects.

The key information we are after is the four digit tag number, estimated weight, location and date caught.

If you catch a tagged trout, please report your catch on our online form, here.

Steve McKnight CE CSI Fish & Game releases a tagged trout into the Ōhau C Canal.

So, What’s a Legal Bait Fishing Assembly?

According to the regulations, only one bait assembly is allowed, meaning anglers must choose either one hook with multiple baits or one bait with multiple hooks.

Here’s how this works in practice:

1. One hook with multiple prawns: This setup is legal as it uses one hook rigged with multiple baits (prawns).
2. One prawn with two hooks: This is also legal since it involves a single bait with multiple hooks.

An example of an illegal “multiple bait assembly” is when an angler uses a rig like a sabiki setup with multiple baited hooks (e.g. five hooks, each with its own bait). In this case, each baited hook is considered a separate bait assembly, meaning the angler is effectively using five bait assemblies when the limit is one.

Team Effort to Test RDR Fish Screen

NIWA staff inspect salmon smolt scales under microscope.

McKinnon’s Creek Hatchery volunteers, NIWA, Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) and CSI Fish & Game staff have teamed up to verify that the RDR fish screen is returning salmon smolt safely to the river.

As the fish screen is physically impenetrable due to the small mesh size, the focus of the verification programme is around assessing the health of fish that encounter the screen by measuring any scale loss.  

With salmon smolt predominantly migrating downstream at night, sleep has been in short supply for the team as the traps have to be cleared and cleaned hourly.

Trapping in September and October unfortunately didn’t produce a lot of salmon smolt, however two nights last week produced 41 and 19 salmon smolt respectively, enough of a sample size for the NIWA team to assess fish health.

Understanding how a fish screen is performing is crucial in a time where our sea-run salmon fishery is in crisis. Observations so far suggest the fish are healthy, however it’s not until they’re under the microscope that a true assessment can be made.  We await the results from NIWA with interest.  A huge thank you to those volunteers that assisted the team and giving up your sleep. This is very much appreciated! 

Sea-Run Salmon Licence

Have your pen at the ready alongside your sea-run salmon season bag limit card and licence.

Whole season licence holders can also purchase a $5 sea-sun salmon licence that is valid in the Central South Island and North Canterbury Fish & Game Regions only.

The sea-run salmon licence is a legal requirement for any angler who targets sea-run salmon. This licence is also required by any angler who accidentally catches a salmon targeting other species like trout or kahawai and wants to keep the salmon. 

With your sea-run salmon licence you will receive a salmon season bag limit card.  This card must be carried on you while fishing, along with a pen. Details of any kept sea-run salmon must be recorded immediately, in ink, on the card.

Fishing for land-locked salmon like those in Lake Tekapo/Takapō, hydro canals or Lake Benmore are not sea-run salmon and therefore do not require the sea-run salmon licence.

We will keep you posted when we hear of the first sea-run salmon landed.

All the information you need to know can be found at our website here including how to purchase your sea-run salmon endorsement and to receive your season bag limit card.

For clarification contact our Temuka Office: phone 03 6158400, email csi@fishandgame.org.nz

Weather and Water Outlook

Long range forecasts on the YR.no forecast website are currently showing Sunday to be another fine day with light north east breezes across the majority of the CSI region.

A southerly change tomorrow will likely bring possible light rain across the low country on Saturday however we’re not anticipating this to raise low country river levels.

As I write this, a low-pressure system from the Tasman sea is currently dumping more rain on the West Coast and main divide which will likely keep our high country river levels raised into the weekend.  Check the ECan river flow rates before committing to these.

So low country rivers and lakes options, in our opinion, will be the areas to target this weekend. Jump to the Angler Access Website here to have a real time look at local spots.  

Notice Board

Upper Ahuriri River and lagoons remain closed

The Ahuriri River and tributaries upstream of and including Longslip Creek remains closed until Saturday the 7th of December. This includes the lagoons and tarns. The regulations for the Ahuriri River are listed on page 8 of the CSI Sports Fishing Regulations 2024/25, here.

Please share your angling experiences with us, it helps make our reports engaging and inspiring for everyone!

Tight lines!

Rhys & Jase
Central South Island Fish & Game Officers