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TROUT FISHING WITH MAURICE RODWAY - Weekly Column: 17-November-00
 Southland, New Zealand

The Unpredictable Beast

A year ago record floods rampaged through the region, but this year, so far, the rivers have kept within safe bounds. Such is the unpredictable beast we call the weather. At the moment life is gathering momentum under the spring sunshine and in the winds from the west. There is so little rain that in Milford Sound the Deep Cove lodge hydro power station is running dry. In a place that usually gets 6 metres of rain a year this is truly remarkable.

The dry weather has left all of our rivers in fine fishing order. While the river flows are good but there is a strange reluctance amongst the trout to come out of hiding and expose themselves to anglers. The Mataura is even more difficult than usual to catch a fish in and in the middle parts of the Oreti the all day fogs of the weekend hide most of the trout there from a fly fisher's eye. Even an enticing lure only rouses passing interest.

While the weather is settled however camping is an attractive alternative to a night in a soft warm bed. The smoke of a campfire and sizzle of sausages make a welcome change to the tidiness of a sanitised kitchen and the familiar surrounds of a comfortable dining room. The chatter of the television makes way for the call of a goose. The mathematicians in us find this equation is perfectly symmetrical.

The ingredients of camping and trout fishing, when combined on a river in Southland, and simmered by the sun's evening glow produce a dish that drips with superlatives.  If there is a reason to stay in the region then this is it.

Along most of our rivers there are many places to take yourself and a friend, your charge or your mentor, to savor the gold that seeps out of the country and into your soul. Provided the only mark you leave is the depression made by your tent such richness will continue to be there for the taking. You must seek permission if you cross private land, and if you want to take a trout from the river to your fire, just make sure there will be others left for those who follow you, or for yourself when you return, as you surely will.

The running water of the river, the wild ducks that share your larder, and the dew that sags the tent and refreshens your feet in the morning, fill your senses in a way that cannot be found on your TV,  no matter how many channels there are to choose from.

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

Article © 2000 Maurice Rodway, All Rights Reserved.

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First Publication: 29 September 1996, Updated 01-Mar-03.
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