Anglers Information
Environment Southland has designed the Anglers Information Page to provide anglers accessing the regions river systems, and small streams, with information about the works programmes which may impact on their activity.
This information is updated monthly during the fishing season (1 October – 30 April).
February 2012
Christmas is a time when I am surprised by the knowledge my wife has about my trout fishing needs. The Christmas just past was no exception with very well thought out surprises she appropriately calls “stocking fillers”. Although appreciated, such knowledge is actually a bit scary as I always thought all things angling (apart from the nice field lunches) were my special secret. So that’s my man thing crashing to the deck, but I guess I will get over it.
Generally I don't chase trout during the day over the Christmas holiday period mainly due to the number of holidaymakers one finds in every nook and cranny along the river systems. My favourite Lake Dunstan was a mad house of water skiers and the ever increasing high-speed jet ski brigade. However, reports on the angling side were positive with those that did make the most of the relatively calm conditions reporting good, healthy, fat trout taken by trolling a range of lures from the boat.
My ventures were all around the edge of Lake Dunstan and carried out 30 minutes before dark and lasting to about midnight. Fishing a range of bully lures and dragon nymphs, a good number of nice fat browns and rainbows were caught along the Lowburn shoreline only five minutes from home.
Through the early part of December I spent a lot of time all over Central Otago and Southland with three of my angling friends from California and Idaho. In spite of running into some very windy days, these guys just live to fish, never letting bad weather get in the way of finding some water to spend the entire day.
One is a professional cane rod maker and brought with him a selection of cane rods to suit all conditions he thought possible for my area. These rods are not the heavy stiff cane that I remember from 40 years ago. They are new progressive tapers, extremely light beautiful pieces of equipment. Casting requirements are similar to the old slower Sage Graphite 2 Rods. Casting actions required for the modern fast action graphite rods definitely do not suit these cane rods. When perfected these rods are a delight to cast and not at all tiring. On departure of these friends I was presented with what Joe the rod maker considered to be the best rod for Central Otago conditions. It is a #6 weight, nine foot, two-piece masterpiece with two tip sections. Included is a selection of lines and braided leaders.
The only stipulation placed on the gift was that I have to use the rod to land and photograph a well conditioned rainbow from the Hunter River this season to prove that I have mastered the action. I have a number of trips planned there during February and March, so, compliance will be easy as I plan to leave my graphite rods at home.
Ken McGraw
Fisherman and Catchment Works Supervisor
River Works and Land Drainage Programme for February 2012
The following list of scheduled works co-ordinated and managed by Environment Southland engineering staff are listed on the basis they may have an impact on anglers due to varying degrees of sediment disturbance and release during construction of the works, or may cause disruption to other recreational users of the regions river systems.
Sediment release is generally of a limited nature and intermittent nature, and site specific with regard to river works but, of a more severe degree and duration during construction of drainage maintenance works.
1. Mataura River
a. Maintenance including trimming and removal of collapsed willows is on-going throughout upper Mataura River and Waikaia River. The work is intermittent, any discolouration of the channel flow will be minor and site specific.
b. Installation of isolated sections of erosion control work using quarried rock is on-going through the following river systems:
- Waikaia River
- Waikaka River
- Mataura River – Between Gore and Gorge Road
- Mataura River – Between Gore and Cattle Flat
c. Ground based application of herbicide to control willows, gorse and broom within the floodway is on-going through Waikaia River commencing at it’s confluence with the Mataura river and extending upstream to Waikaia township, and the section of Mataura River extending from Riversdale upstream to Fairlight. It is unlikely this work will impact anglers or other recreational users of the river system.
d. Aerial application of herbicides to control willow gorse and broom growth within the floodway is on-going. The programme to be completed extends from Gorge Road upstream throughout the catchment with application dependant on favourable weather conditions. Other than aircraft overfly of the channels, it is unlikely this activity will impact anglers or other recreational users of the river system.
2. Oreti River
a. Clearing of gorse and broom growth from stub groynes from the Lumsden to Mossburn section of channel is on-going. It is unlikely this activity will impact anglers or other recreational users of the river.
b. Aerial application of herbicide to control willow, gorse and broom growth within the floodway is on-going. The works programme to be completed extends through the Taramoa to Mossburn section of channel with application dependant on favourable weather conditions. Other than aircraft overfly of the channel, it is unlikely this work will impact anglers or other recreational users of the river system.
Note: For further information regarding the floodway vegetation control programmes, contact Paul Pollard on the following: Office 0800 76 88 45 (Southland area only) or Mobile 021 784 953.
3. Aparima River
a. Installation of erosion control work using quarried rock is scheduled 2 km down stream of the Wreys Bush Bridge. Discolouration of the channel flow will be minor and site specific.
b. Strengthening of existing willowerosion control is scheduled for the sections of channel at Bayswater and Dip Ford at Shaw’s Tree Road.
c. Aerial application of herbicide willow, gorse and broom growth within the floodway is on-going. The works programme to be completed extends through the Gummies Bush to Otautau section of channel. Other than aircraft overfly of the channel it is unlikely this work will impact anglers and other recreational users of the river system.
Note: For further information regarding the floodway vegetation control programme, contact Paul Pollard on the following: Office 0800 76 88 45 (Southland area only) or Mobile 021 784 953.
4. Morley Stream
Removal of over grown willows is on-going through section of channel extending from Struan Flat Road upstream to the Ohai Mine. Discolouration of the channel will be evident at the work site and for some distance down stream.
5. Lower Waikiwi Stream
Excavation to remove aquatic weed and sediment build up is to commence through the section of channel extending from Staunton Road Bridge upstream to the North Road Bridge. Significant discolouration of the channel flow will be evident during this activity.
6. Waituna Stream
The three-yearly maintenance excavation of the Waituna drainage network to remove accumulated aquatic weed and sediment build up is scheduled to commence. Significant discolouration of the channel flow will be evident during this activity.
For further information on works programmes contact Environment Southland's River and Drainage Management team.
Fly for February 2012 – By Linz Withington
Linz Withington is a well known and highly experienced local angler, past President of the Southland Fly Fishing Club, Southland Fish and Game Councillor and honorary ranger.
Her Hot Spot Stoner Nymph is an absolute cracker and is must have pattern when visiting any of the upper catchments of Southlands gin clear rivers.
The nymph is a combination of a Mike Davis Stonefly and a hot spot Cadillac nymph and was used on the opening weekend of the high country waters accounting for a fine rainbow in deep water on a small stream. This fish had refused other offerings, probably because they were too light. The fish took the Hot Spot Stoner Nymph confidently.
Materials and method
See images for tying detail.
The nymph is tied with a green anodised tungsten bead and 10 turns of 10 thou. lead wire on a curved heavy wire size 12 hook.
Materials include green biots for the tail, peacock tinsel, green copper wire, green dubbing, green thin skin, pink fluro floss and green sili legs.
6/0 thread is wound down to the tail where the biots are tied in. Then the tinsel and copper wire tied in and dubbing wound up to two thirds of the body length. The tinsel is pulled over the body and held in place by the copper wire wound the two thirds mark. The thin skin is tied in leaving the tinsel to go under the thin skin. Tie the legs in along the sides of the body then dub over till close to the bead. Pull over the tinsel and thin skin and tie down. Tie in the pink floss to form a hot spot.
Finally, tie off the fly behind the bead leaving a small amount of thin skin to stick up above the head and you're done.
For more information about fly fishing in Southland visit www.southlandflyfishingclub.org.nz
Environment Southland is the brand name of Southland Regional Council.