Old boys trip south - Canals

Hey guys, first time poster here and what a awesome site. My names John and my Dad is just turning 80 this month and to celebrate I have booked him a trip to the South Island to fish the canals as he has never been to the South Island and this is on his Bucklist. I was wondering if anyone could share some information on shimp fishing set ups and tips? Being of old age casting and retrieving is abit hard for the old boy so planning on parking him up with a cuppa and trying the shrimp method. Ill spin fish myself .
Also any help in terms of parking and which canal to start at would be greatly appreciated. We have 2 days before heading back to Christchurch . Can’t wait to get him down .

Cheers :)

PM inbound.

Welcome to the forum.
You can tick 1 thing off your bucket list already....Joining the forum :)

Canals are on my bucket list too.

the bottom end of the tekapo canal would be a good spot to park up and throw a shrimp out, park up close to the salmon farms and away you go. the trace i use is a 1/2oz trawling sinker on the end of you leader, then run 500m of fluro off the other end with a float and a swivel, then run another 500mm of fluro off the swivel to your hook. this keeps the bait up off the bottom and out of the weed. anchovies are good as well if the shrimp dont get any bites.

:thumbsup: Thanks guys

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Originally Posted by silentscope

the trace i use is a 1/2oz trawling sinker on the end of you leader, then run 500m of fluro off the other end with a float and a swivel

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Geez, what size reel do you use?!?! :P

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Originally Posted by Cigar

Geez, what size reel do you use?!?! :P

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i just hook it up to the winch haha

Looking forward to fishing and hopefully catching photos..welcome to the forum!

Yup Ill defiantly post a few pics regardless of the outcome . Lol

Sharpen yr hooks,our 30-40lb trout will just crush them.

What a great trip!
We have stayed at the twizel ruataniwha holiday park a fair bit before we got a camper.
Make sure you check out the Ohau ski lodge for accommodation as well as a great spor and only 30 min to canals.
Soft bait has always been a winner for me.
Don't need to get out of bed to early in my experience. When you hit bight time it can be all on for a solid two hours but slow going other times. Take lots of warm clothing, seats and the ability to make a cuppa
Have a great time!

I've never caught a salmon but saw this picture somewhere in the MacKenzie country.


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Hi Gkp. Yup thats where we plan on staying. Gotta keep the old boy nice and warm so no fly camping but he would prefer too . Lol hes a hearty bugger.
Thanks for your help guys

Hi guys just a update on our trip. We were due to fly out tomorrow but unfortunately my wife tested positive for covid and we postponed the trip. Very disappointing but I will get dad down as soon as we get over the hurdle. Thanks again for your help

The trout will still be there for the next appointment Bucketlist.Look after your wife,she will let you stay longer down here next time.

Wise words Trout :thumbsup:

I am not affiliated with this guy in any way but I witnessed him in action last winter with some clients and he really put in a big effort for them and he is very skilled and provides top quality gear. They did very well, and made the rest of us in the vicinity look very average.... While it is not a cheap option if time is limited and funds allow it could be worth contacting him to organise something. https://www.boothysfishingschool.com/

Yip he is the man :thumbsup:

@Bucketlist pop in and see my sister Cassie at Southern Alps outdoors when you get down there she will be more than happy to give you some pointers and some insider info on fishing the canals and surrounding rivers etc. She is now a staff fisher for Shimano NZ and Deadeggs. She has done a little guiding but mainly focussed on getting kids into it but I’m sure if she’s got a day off when you’re down she’ll show you where the 30 lbers are!