Fishing Report

September 2019 Fishing Report

We went out for a look this morning, and while we didn’t see as many fish as expected, the ones we did see were in great condition. The weather was very calm with no wind, which probably didn’t’ help - a bit of wind acton stirs up the food supply and brings the fish in close. Bullies were the go to fly, and effective when lifted off the bottom with the trout a couple of metres away.

There was also the odd rainbow cruising off the drop off that was hooked blind. I’m confident these rainbow numbers will build up steadily over the next month.

The browns will increase in feeding activity over the next month, and damsel and dragonfly nymphs will become a dominant part of the trout's diet, and good imitations to start using over the weed beds.

Southern Wild has plenty of good patterns in stock - for September I would be carrying bullies in a couple of sizes, Damsel fly nymphs in green and brown, midge pupae patterns, and some brighter bead head nymphs to target rainbows that are entering the lower parts of  river systems that are open.

Below is a nice fish from this morning - 7 3/4 lb brown in excellent condition, and one of the best still water fish taken on a fly I have seen come out of our local lakes. Not bad fishing right on our doorstep in Wanaka!

August 2019 Fishing Report

Locally, good rainbows are grouping up around the inflowing rivers of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea.

There are some browns cruising the shoreline, and while they were not particularly active at the beginning of August, as the month progresses they will start to be more receptive to both bullies twitched off the bottom, and nymphs suspended midwater. A wind chop on the shoreline will bring them in very close.

The canals have been fishing OK, although most of the escaped salmon have been caught now, but it is still an excellent time to chase large rainbows and browns while the water is cool.

On the west coast there may be some sea run fish chasing whitebait at the end of the month, but be aware, it’s a bit of a gamble trying to get the right conditions - I hope you go better than I have for the last couple of attempts to find them!

Also of interest is a new video from the NZ professional fishing guides association on handling and releasing trout. Well worth a look

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Poz-lSq1Ig&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0lgHcuWwwTAKWcyDZNUg541P7Hmwpqju827AKaUJ1sW68j_DoI0OiS-uk

Not long now until spring, when the fishing really starts to take off.

Tight lines,

Craig Smith

Hatch Fly Fishing

May 2019 Fishing Report

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APRIL 2019 FISHING REPORT

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March 2019 Fishing Report

With the weather turning cooler, fish are starting to move into river systems and become more active. 

Whitebait are present and moving up the rivers, and I have seen some good fish gorging themselves in backwaters and spring creeks chasing shoals of bait. 

These fish are very active and will take most things if they stay still long enough to see your fly! 

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February 2019 Otago Lakes Fishing Report

With temperatures soaring and river levels dropping, the fishing has been coming right over the last week or so. The week ahead looks O.K. too for a change.

January seemed to be fairly windy in most parts, with brisk Southerly changes dropping temperatures at times, interspersed with strong hot northwest winds.

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January 2019 Otago Lakes Fishing Report

Proudly brought to you by Craig Smith from Hatch Fishing

Summer is well and truly here, with some nice warm days. There is still some patchy weather with strong winds and rainfall, which seems to be a bit of a theme this season!

Trout are in full dry fly feeding mode, with green beetles being a popular choice, cicadas are just starting to make themselves known. Blowflies are also common and a good “go to” pattern if nothing is obviously happening.

Sub surface there are some excellent damsel fly hatches, and the nymphs are being taken very well. Make sure you have a couple of different colours in your fly box - quite often the fish will target reddish nymphs over the usual olive ones, which can be rather frustrating if you are caught short.

At the time of writing most backcountry rivers are experiencing high flows, so heading East or fishing still waters are options worth considering.

Remember at all times to be considerate to other anglers, and talk to them about what their intentions are and see if you can work in together. If they are there before you, then they have the first pick of options. Also, make sure you leave a note on your car with your intended fishing direction (upstream, downstream etc) so the next angler doesn’t have to guess what you are doing.

Above is a nice green beetle eating brown from a local river.

Craig Smith