The Oreti, one of the world’s best trout rivers is under threat. There is a bicycle track to be built alongside the entire upper reaches of this truly magnificent river. This section of river has the largest average fish of any river I know. There is a real chance of catching 10lb plus brown on any day fishing on this stretch. I dont mention the names of waters in my blogs to protect the rivers and lakes I fish from overfishing and overcrowding but now I have to name this river to protect it. All the big fish in my last few blogs have been from the Oreti so please flick back through them to see the quality of the environment, the fish, the water, the entire angling experience. It will quickly become clear to you how important this river is for both its aesthetic beauty and as an angling resource. 3 bridges over the river are in the plans. I can’t understand how the NZ government is backing this. Whether you are here in NZ or in some other corner the world, us anglers need to pull together to stop this bicycle track destroying this spectacular valley. To repeat myself, the Oreti is one of the world’s best brown trout rivers. Fact. Please email the Editor at southland times. Letters@stl.co.nz to voice your opinion and if you’re a Kiwi then please contact your local MP. The hearing is on the 30th of april and the 1st of May at the Workermans club in Invercargill. Check out http://www.southlanddc.govt.nz/news-events/SearchForm?Search=Cycle&action_results=Go for more information. See you at the hearing.
Ronan…
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This is the top of the Oreti valley where the track is intended to start.
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Lets save this valley, NO track, NO bridges, NO coke machines, NO toilets… If you must have a bike track in this area use the Mararoa instead.
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Fish like this won’t hang around in the presence of heavy machinery during the construction and maintenence of the track and 3 bridges.
Day 1.
Conditions were promised perfect but they weren’t. It was cold, misty and cloudy. However, I was on the river and looking forward to the day whatever it brought. I knew I’d have the river to myself because bad weather deters most anglers from rivers best suited to sight fishing in NZ. Some, not many, but some fish were visible and feeding and I hooked about 2/3rds of the 15 or so fish I saw. I landed four. 6.5, 8.5, 8.5 and 5.5lbs. At least 2 of the fish I lost were over 8. One I had in the net; I had to get downstream of the fish in fast water to net him. I let the line go slack to let him fall back into the net. With my outstretched arm in the fast water I hadn’t the strength to lift him quickly due to the drag from the mesh in the fast water. The fish swam out of the net and in his next run he threw the hook. I didn’t mind. All the fish took my size 16 nymph trailing behind a weighted one 5′ under a dry. I’ll put a photo of it in my next blog. This was a great day. I enjoyed it all from the 1.5 hour walk downstream to getting back to the truck in the evening.
Day 2.
Conditions were promised perfect and they were. I saw about 5 fish and didn’t hook one.
Happy Easter everyone! I have no plans yet but they will include water………
Ronan..
PS. I remember about 10 years ago to this day fishing on Lough Corrib with my good friend Damien O Malley. We stayed at a B&B in Cornamona, Co. Galway. The woman of the house assured us that she would not cook us meat for our breakfast the next morning (because practising Catholics don’t eat meat on Good Friday, or cook it in this case!) so we better catch a fish. Thankfully Damien did!
All the fish in the blog were released of course!
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All this to myself!
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Life!
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Early morning day 1.
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6.5lbs
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8.5lbs. A sea run I’m sure. very definate mottling along the back and the grey colour is not uncommon in sea run fish when they’re in fresh water for a while.
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They day brightened up a bit in the afternoon.
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Back to the land of the living!
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8.5lbs #2
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5.5lbs to end a great day…