New Zealand throughout the last century with it's mainly unpolluted waterways, and water management over the later decades, careful release programs, salvage programs has had great success with it's acclimatized fish be it the Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, The Quinet Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, as well as other brook trout and char. There would be hardly a waterway from the mountains to the sea which is not inhabited by acclimatized fish throughout the entire country.
Being raised in the 1940's during WW-II in a small rural town of Woodville the center of a rail junction in the southern Hawkes Bay is it any wonder one was initiated to Trout Fishing as the sea was some distance in either direction and benzine was on a short ration during the war. I cannot recall asking grand-dad as a young boy would WHY? he went fishing or if he just told me, but I certainly recall sitting on the banks of the Tiraumea River one evening at dusk while he was putting the finishing touches of dressing to his fine silk line and fly and he saying "Young fella" ------------ " You know it's the fishing one gets and if you catch a needed fish that's a bonus !!" Seeing him release the fish without damage and saying "He will be there for another day" made me wonder what it was all about ! Ah it was not long before I realized his dad had his bonus days, he had his, I have and so too has my boy and now the grand children are having their turn. He would stand and watch that crystal clear water and listen for that fish rise to the hatch that was taking place then he would present that delicate little fly, and then would be the scream of the old "Hardie" reel with the old fella off from pool to pool after his fish. The way he would go you would have thought he was after the crown jewels, then only to let it go again. With the tiny #16 -18 hooks never seem to harm the fish much. That's the teaching of catch and release that's been passed on through our family. Guess that's why we go fishing you never know the next episode until it happens, it's the unexpected.
Today it is very different, and with the privilege of having the finest and varied fishing right at my door or well within a maximum of 1 hour to any type of acclimatized fishing, the small stream, the big snow fed rivers, 3 of the main quinet salmon run rivers), the mountain lakes and streams all provide great recreation in the outdoors.

This catchment lake full of cold clear snow fed water, nestled in the Southern Alps and located to the west of Christchurch on the main highway to the West Coast via the Arthurs Pass is central to many other waterways (streams, lakes and tarns) within the Nth. Canterbury Fish and Game Region (Western Zone). This lake over the years has had many fluctuating cycles due to seasons ie. snow fall, prolonged dry seasons, stocking and angling policy. It has been known in the past for it's large numbers of smaller fish but today has returned to it's former glory of less and larger fish. The easy road access to most of the perimeter, comfortable traveling distance from the city of Christchurch, has made it an encouraging learners lake, for all methods of trout fishing for a family day out to enjoy the great outdoors of the mountain country. The large amounts of hatch is great encouragement to the angler using the dry fly, nymph and the streamer. Being a catchment lake the weed beds are reasonably stable encouraging bottom feeding as well within reasonable casting distance.

Lake Mere Mere 10lbs 1974

Memories of the day of less angling pressure when the highway from the nearest town 14 miles east Springfield, was still unsealed and steep incline of 3000 ft. in less than 7 miles over the Porters Pass still the highest section of road between Christchurch and Greymouth on the West Coast. The fish predominantly rainbows were and still are very fit, striping off meters of backing before being lured to the anglers reach, were on average in a 3-4 lb. Another attractive lure to this area was the shelter from the Nor'wester the prevailing wind in the area and any angler could tell of the stories of the nor'wester from tents being blown apart to the amount of vegetation hooked in the back cast especially the learner mastering the art of fly fishing.
 
 

Memories of the little cottage built beside Lake Lyndon built in about 1906 from Oregon shingles imported from Canada at that time, and sadly burnt by vandles after standing for almost 80 years to the elements of the seasons. Unfortunately the terms of lease were the building was not replaceable on site and anyway would it have still held the same character. The water was taken from a mountain spring and piped down to holding tank and the overflow was a good refrigerator, cooking was all kerosine as was lighting and winter heating was a good old open fire place.

RUNNING QUINET SALMON

In the mighty snow feed rivers of the South Island are the trails for the quinet salmon on their run from the Pacific Ocean to their spawning grounds many miles up the bouldery waterways to the quiet tributarys where the reeds are made and the young fingerling return from each year to start the cycle all over again.
Fishermen and woman boys and girls from around the country and the world line the mouths of these rivers annually from November to end of April trying their luck for the delicasy of these fish. Many are captured at the mouths and in the surf in these areas those escaping still have to avoid the river fisherman as well on their journey to the mountains. The main runs are in the months of December and February but a smaller numbers dwindle their way in favourable water conditions.
The major rivers from the north, Waimakariri River, Rakia River, Rangitata River, and the mighty hydro Waitaki River. There other minor rivers along this east coast of the South Iland which offer just as great a sport. Mornings usually start before daylight lunches packed with the rumble of ATV's and 4 wheel drives making their way down the beach over the boulders to the mouths which at times can be some distance from access areas. Many the storys of the numbers and sizes of yester year over the box of sandwichs and cuppa's. Like the salmon many of these fishermen make the annual pilgramage to partake in their sport. Usually in the earlier part of the season from October are runs of the sea run trout which offer great sport while waiting the salmon. Most if not all these resorts have small settlements of cribs where familys and the retired spend their summer holidays.
Each season sees new and advance equipment from days past the bamboo rods and old open reels to today with sofisicated graphite rods and spining drum reels.

Erica hardly manages this 30lb Quinet Salmon from The Rangitata River

Erica and a nice 4lb sea run trout from The Rangitata River

Cribs at The Rangitata River South Side

Lining up for that elusive Quinet Salmon in the surf Mouth of the Rangitata River