Nelson/Marlborough - May 2010

Big trout are out there

Marlborough's upper Wairau has fished well, but fish got spookier under pressure.

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Drift dives by Nelson-Marlborough Fish & Game have shown there are some big trout here.

In one unnamed river in the Buller catchment, 169 large trout were counted in a 3.5km section. The average weight of these large fish was estimated to be approximately 3.5kg, with 25-30 fish estimated around 4.5kg or greater. The largest fish seen was around 6.5kg.

The Motueka was exceptional in both trout size and condition. Numbers are down, but there were trout over 4.5kg, with the average large fish estimated at 2kg.

As part of ongoing Fish & Game work assessing the effectiveness of the fish ladder for the trout upstream of the Branch Weir, additional tagged fish were released in the Branch catchment. Consequently, anglers who catch tagged trout or clipped adipose fins should contact Fish & Game with details of the date and location.

These fish have a PIT tag under the skin near the dorsal fin. To date, several tagged fish released in the Branch catchment have been caught in the Wairau (as far upstream as Irishmans Flat), so if fishing the Wairau or Argyle Pond, keep an eye out.

The upper Wairau has fished well, but fish got spookier under pressure. A few good salmon have been taken in the Wairau, but it’s pretty hush-hush stuff.
Steve George of Craglee Lodge says Queen Charlotte Sound is still fishing well. Kingfish of 80-90cm are abundant, with some up to 20-25kg.

Snapper to 8kg are in the Grove Arm and occasional big kahawai are being taken too, but unfortunately barracouta are plentiful. Blue cod, 6-8 years old, remain abundant.
The Kenepuru has been inconsistent for snapper; nevertheless, plenty of pannies are about, along with some good fish of 6-8kg.

Kingies around 15kg are abundant around Nelson. Snapper are patchy, but tarakihi are in good numbers around D’Urville, although big tides have been a problem. Tasman Bay has fished well for schoolie snapper.

Wade Lindstrom of Clarence Charters on Marlborough’s east coast reports groper up to 20kg but averaging 8kg. Cod fishing has been slow, with just a few trumpeter, but catches have started to improve recently; hopefully early winter will see this trend continue.

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