Fine weather brings out the crowds for the opening weekend of the high country fishing season

Source: Fish and Game NZ

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Anglers flocked to the Canterbury High Country in their hundreds as fine weather heralded the opening day of the high country fishing season.

Conditions on the lakes could only be described as beautiful with warm fine weather providing the perfect opportunity for families to spend the day fishing.

Such is the prestige held by anglers for the Canterbury High Country as a fishing destination that anglers came from as far away as Southland and Auckland.

Some northern hemisphere anglers also timed their trip to New Zealand to coincide with opening weekend.

Over a hundred boats were on lake Coleridge but shore-based anglers were out in force and both were reeling in the fish.

Fish & Game delays the opening of the high country areas to fishing a month so that late spawning rainbow trout have the opportunity to spawn without being disturbed.

On Saturday afternoon hundreds converged on Ryton Bay for the prize giving of the annual Lake Coleridge Fishing Competition.

There was 265 entrants in the competition competing for thousands of dollars of prizes generously donated by Hunting & Fishing Tower Junction.

Whilst there are prizes for fish caught, there are many more spot prizes for entrants of all age groups.

Fish & Game uses the data gathered from the fish caught to assess the health of the fish population in the lakes.

The lakes themselves looked in good condition with lake levels higher than last year’s opening following a good spring snow melt.

Fish weighed in for the competition looked healthy and some fish were destined straight for the barbeque after they were measured.

Fish & Game Rangers were out in force checking that anglers were licenced and following the rules.

Apart from a couple of anglers that had left their licence at home, no issues were detected.

The number of anglers checked on lakes was up compared to last year, with some lakes having a third more anglers on them compared to last year.

The Canterbury high country lakes are so close to Christchurch and easily accessible by car that they are a perfect spot for a day trip.

A fishing licence is your passport to check out this fantastic part of the country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqePyM5oomI

ENDS

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