The giant from the deep

I had heard the canals weren’t fishing that well so I decided to have a look myself.

a bad start but not another touch for an hour made us change spots.

I left Christchurch Friday evening with good friend Caleb Taiulu, who was in high spirits; my poor ears had to listen to him rap to every song on his phone during the long drive. Note to self — bring ear plugs next time.

I met up with Jayden Rich from Fisherman’s Loft; I’d had him order in some new secret weapons and man was I glad he brought them.

We landed at the canals at around 11.30 and Caleb was out of the car rod in the water before I even had a chance to pull the handbrake. Within 10 minutes he was hooked up and playing what he said was only a small fish — it went just shy of 20lb. Not

It proved a little better; I hooked two massive fish on the fly rod and broke in both. By this time it was 5.30am so off to bed we went.

The next day here was very little flow in the canals, so we joined Jayden and his mate Alex Burrows,who is only 13, to fish one of the lakes. We landed about 10 fish between us before deciding to try the canals again.

It was just on dark and I decided to bring the lads to a spot that produces good fish when the flow is right. It didn’t take long for us to start hooking up; I landed a nice fish 19lb and a few smaller salmon, while Caleb and Jayden both lost good fish under the cages. Alex also landed a few nice salmon.

Just on dark the main man himself turned up, Dylan Booth, with his mates and it didn’t take them long to hit the salmon.

The next morning we were at it again, only this time we had flow. It was mayhem straight away — I hooked a

big salmon but lost it right at the bank. One after another the lads all hooked fish. Alex’s 24lb fish was the nicest, then almost straight away he got another one bigger again. Then Jayden hooked a massive fish and lost it in a snag. These young

lads were starting to show me up so I went to my box and told them it was time for the secret weapon. They laughed like I was joking.

First cast boom, I’m in. I wasn’t sure of the size because it stayed deep and wasn’t doing many runs. When I did get a glimpse at it I said, “Lads, this one’s over 30 — it’s a beast!” I fought it for 20 minutes, thinking any second the hook is going to either straighten or the line will break against the cages. Somehow, I managed to coax it to the bank. Did I

mention, I’d forgotten my net? I was a little upset with myself, so when I got it to the bank I had to go in after it. Ah well, it’s all part of the experience. I had no net when I landed my 38lb brown so knew what to do: grab the tail and don’t let go, lol!

We got some nice pics and released all 35lbs of it. After that I took a breather but the lads were straight back into it, landing and losing more stunning fish. There’s a snag that owes me six fish over 20 and a brown that, I dare say, might have beaten my PB.