Autumn fishing is here.

Daylight saving time has changed back (thank goodness), the leaves are changing colour and there is one month left for the lowland rivers (the ones that run to the sea)these close on the last day of April and the high country rivers close at the end of May.

There is some great fishing from now until the end of the season with some good Mayfly action.

The Pommy had a very big and quite localised rain event about 2 weeks ago that created a very large flood event (it also hit the Waikaia but not as bad) which has seen debris left to very high levels up the banks and has certainly pushed fish back downstream and knocked them about. They will be moving up again.

The Oreti and Aparima have seen fresh fish moving up in last week and spawning runs are getting underway. It is no longer possible to target salmon in these systems due to the seasonal license restrictions in place from F&G. Even on poor light days blinding thru runs and riffles should produce a result or two - forget the aquarium pools unless you want to hit them after dark.

The Greenstone is now free slather (no booking system) again for all (if you have the correct licensing)until next season and is fishing well. The Caples is also fishing well and both are holding good numbers of fish and more Brownies are showing up in the systems. Even getting trout coming for cicadas still!

If you want to catch lots of fish, hitting the Mataura and working the riffles and waiting for the afternoon mayfly hatch is the way forward.

Quinnet salmon have been gathering at the heads of the lakes for their runs and the deltas have been productive.

Certainly now the days are shorter more gentlemanly fishing hours are available and there is some very productive fishing during the shorter light hours - particualry mid afternoon when the hatch is on!

Tight Lines,

Simon

Spring continues way down in the South Island

The spring weather down here at 45 deg South continues which is not unusual as it normally goes on until Xmas.

This last week has seen me doing some big miles around Southland in particular ducking and diving around the weather.

Yesterday we ended up on predominately rainbow trout water and had success with 3 landed, 2 lost and 2 missed strikes. Most of the day was fine and sunny on us but all around was frontal storms barreling thru. It snowed on us once briefly and rained twice - again briefly. Considering the weather our choice for the day was a very good one.

Rivers (29th Oct):

Upper Mataura - brown dirty in am (due to stopbank works above fairlight) clearing later in day.

Oreti - discoloured in am clearing and fishable by afternoon above Mossburn

Mararoa - clear and low/medium flow

The fishing has been excellent during the last week but the ability to dodge weather has been of the upmost importantance. Fish in all the rivers have been very accepting to most standard nymph patterns.

The backcountry rivers open this Saturday the 1st of November 2008.

Tight Lines.