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TROUT FISHING WITH MAURICE RODWAY - Weekly Column: 29-December-00
 Southland, New Zealand

Weather Provides Opportunities

Trout fishing, like many of our outdoor activities, is at the mercy of the weather. Nevertheless anglers who don't go fishing because the weather is unsuitable will miss many opportunities to catch a trout. Recently there have been many excuses to stay at home and put off a fishing trip. Most days recently there has been rain and wind but there has been sun as well. When the westerly wind pattern is dominant it is possible to have all four seasons in a day. Some of the time, however, will be ideal for trout fishing.

Changeable weather is not ideal if you fish from a boat as boat fishing takes a bit of organising and to be safe of a big lake you need a forecast of clearing weather at least. Fishing from the shore or on a river takes less preparation and it is possible to fish for just an hour or two, in between showers, or to get to a good place within a short time of the weather improving. Over the last week good opportunities have been available even if these have only been for an hour or two at a time,

Holiday makers on the big lakes will find the best fishing occurs early in the morning before the skiiers and swimmers appear, and maybe on, or just after dark, especially at the lake outlets, such as the upper Clutha or the upper Waiau.

Trolling is best done when the sun and a gentle breeze are your fishing companions. At this time of the year trout tend to be fairly deep. A fish finder and a downrigger is the best set up to exploit these conditions.  Calm conditions make trolling rather uneventful However the chances of having a lack of wind over the Christmas New Year period are not dissimilar to winning lotto so trolling is likely to be a pleasant and productive  precursor to the evening meal and of course a relief from the water skiing and other noisy power boat activities. If you have a sailing boat trolling is possible without two-stroke fumes, and in near silence. The experience being a little closer to heaven than is possible with the noise of an outboard motor.

While the weather can be frustrating it also provides opportunities. It travels in parcels of good and bad. We all live close enough to a river or a lake, and each river or lake has a hundred crevices where it is possible to find a trout. When the wind and the rain arrive together we can catch up on some summer reading. But when the wind drops a little or momentary mountains of cumulus part, and if we know where there are places to find a little trout fishing, then we can enjoy trout fishing at its best.   

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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