Twizel, the place of trout and Salmon fishing…. well maybe for the experts anyway. Jude has taken up trout fishing, she bought a lovely rod, some spinners, soft baits and weights of various shapes and sizes, mostly recommended by YouTube and local shops. For the past three days it has been trial and error as she learns the intricate ins and outs of knot tying, casting and stealth… well a giant fluorescent pink elephant trying to hide on a tennis court would have a better chance of being not seen than Jude. So far we have seen more trout than I have ever seen, unfortunately they don’t seem to be interested in anything Jude is offering, If it was me I would have just chucked it away after the first few hours. That’s where I give Jude credit… she is persistent and will give anything a go.
It’s been a while since we had the SUP,s out but yesterday it was so warm that I got the board out and did a few km over Lake Ruataniwha while Jude did some fishing. The water was pretty cold but after wearing my wetsuit and starting to bake in the heat a dip in the lake was just what was needed. After a few hours Jude finished her fishing and also had a bit of exercise on the board.
Today it was up early, Jude sets off for a morning SUP session on the lake while I get the task of emptying the cassette and getting some more fishing weights from Twizel township. On returning we both head to the canals where Jude spends a considerable amount of time allowing quite a few trout to taunt her as she tried all sorts of setups and casting literally right in front of the critters just for them to turn their noses up at any temptations offered by Jude. I have to grin a little when I see the frustration in her face when she sees a fly fisherman catching at will.
Jude’s perspective!
The beauty of the surrounds captivates me as I cast into the lazy flow of the lake. Swirling pools constantly on the move every little eddy thinking is this the big one! I know I haven’t been successful YET but there is something about fishing. The looking for that elusive trout watching from above as they lazily patrol the shallows oblivious to my intentions to TRY and have it on the end of my line. No matter what lure I have on seems not to tempt them, spinners, soft bait, Toby, rapala, the list is endless but I am not disappointed as what is better than being out there doing it enjoying the chatter of the birds, the sun beaming down and the beauty of the landscape.
The Canals:
Above Ohau A dam the canal is where I choose to have a crack at catching a salmon, some very good advice from my son Sam whom frequents the canals and has had great success “150m above the cages on canal A next to the toi toi is best using a huhu grub or shrimp!”
I’m not sure if I followed these instructions to the letter but nothing was tempted to bite. But as the say that is fishing. With the sun beating down on a most glorious McKenzie country day I persevered changing my tackle frequently, the curse were the trout patrolling the shallows taunting me! After a few hours we decided to call it a day, as Shane packed up he said go have one last cast. I changed to a 14gm rainbow glittering silver lure, cast away to mid canal the BANG wow fish on! What an adrenaline rush! Out goes the line at a rate of knots, I don’t apply too much pressure just enough tension to let him know that I was still there, splashing jumping all over the place trying to displace the hook….. 15 minutes of playing I finally bring my prize to the edge of the canal and Shane nets a lovely 3lb salmon… all I can say I’m well and truly hooked on this fishing gig now!
Fresh salmon for tea, cavity filled with lemon and herbs wrapped in foil baked for 15 min, oh my absolutely delish!!!!
So of course now I’m looking for every fresh water fishing spot on our travels much to Shane’s delight.. šŸ™„šŸ™„