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TROUT FISHING WITH MAURICE RODWAY - Weekly Column: 10-December-1999
 Southland, New Zealand

Big Fish in Southland Rivers

Now that the floods have receded it is well past the time to consider trout fishing again. Many anglers have indeed found that there are some trout left in the streams and that the trout there are nice and fat, and ready for the harvest.

Lower Mataura fish have been out in the flooded margins feeding on worms and are exceedingly fat. A small nymph or a light lure, or even a worm on a hook left to lie into these areas will be productive.

The upper reaches of most of our major rivers are now becoming fishable. The Oreti has in fact been in good condition for a week or so. Trout there have been feeding on mice and are very large and in good condition. There appear to be good numbers of them in the reaches from Mossburn to the headwaters at least.

The Upper Mataura is returning to a fishable colour and even the Mararoa is regaining some of its natural colour. The Aparima and Makarewa have both been fishing well for the last two weeks.

There have been reports of many trout attempting to scale the falls at Mataura, which is unusual for this time of the year. While such a report is perhaps in need of some verification, an unusually large catch of trout was made in the Mararoa Weir fish trap in the past few days. It appears trout are migrating upstream at present. Perhaps many were swept downstream in the floods and they are now attempting to get back to reaches they once lived in.

There have been quite a few reports of trout stranded in pools away from the mainstem. Fish and Game staff and rangers have returned those that could be caught but it is likely that many would have perished. Most however, were not caught out of the mainstream and will have survived.

December is traditionally a good time for trout fishing. In the estuaries trout will be feeding on smelt. Small silver lures let to swim down and across the riffles are almost certain to produce a fish. All the major Southland rivers have good estuaries for trout fishing. These are great places, and times, for fly fishers to try their luck.

Mayfly hatches may be a little sparse for a while, until these insects regain their numbers after the flood, but brown beetles will be flying their bumbling way around inland streams just on dark. Beetle imitations fished in pools under willows and other trees will produce trout. After dark in the mountains mice will still be exploring the edges of their home ranges and those that fall into rivers, will fill a scaly belly or two.

Trout take more than a flood to dampen their spirits. Anglers looking to revive theirs should spend a little time on a river bank and drink in some of their vigour.   

Maurice Rodway
Southland, New Zealand                           E-mail: information@southlandfishgame.co.nz

Article © 1999 Maurice Rodway, All Rights Reserved.

03-Dec-99

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