Southland - March 2010

Rain flushes rivers

Diane Craze with a nice rainbow caught trolling the shore of Lake Monowai.

Relevant offers

South Island

Nelson/Marlborough - February 2012 Southland - February 2012 Otago - February 2012 West Coast - February 2012 Canterbury - February 2012 Southland - October 2011 West Coast - October 2011 Otago - October 2011 Canterbury - October 2011 Nelson/Marlborough - October 2011

Good rainfalls saw all the rivers get a good cleanout.

The fresh has also dropped the water temperature, which makes for better fishing. One problem that has surfaced is the runoff contaminating the rivers, and an advisory was issued to not swim or gather shellfish before checking the areas were safe.

Lake Manapouri was very full and provided excellent fishing along the newly submerged beaches. We managed to land a fish in amongst the flooded trees, but lost others in snags.

A study of the eel movements in Lake Manapouri is currently underway. Eels are being trapped and tagged. The traps are marked with yellow buoys and fishermen are asked to stay well clear of them.

Lake Monowai is also high. New markers have been positioned in the channel from the ramp out into deeper waters. Fish are in great condition, with deep bodies and full of fight.

Salmon have not been caught in the lower Oreti as frequently this year as last. One fisherman reported that he caught 18 last year and only three this year – again, it may just be the funny old weather conditions we are experiencing.

Sea fishing, on the few good days we’ve had, has been unusual. Although cod are of good size, they’re not around in any numbers, and trumpeter are only just starting to come into the shallower reef areas. There are still sharks around, and rays will be starting to come into the larger estuaries. It is well worth trying on the right side upstream of the Tiwai Bridge for both rays and sharks, especially around the change of light during an incoming tide.

Flounder are back at Oreti Beach, with good numbers being caught. Most are mid sized and we haven’t seen any turbot yet. Small elephantfish and boof-heads have been excellent by-catches. Take care though, as the sharks have been coming in close and one surf user has been bitten.

Tuna are back in good numbers and have been around since mid January. Albacore are mainly around the 15kg mark, with some larger ones around to make things interesting when using light tackle. They have been feeding on garfish and small flying fish. Best lures at present are small, and silver and blue in colour.

- © Fairfax NZ News