No new kid on the block

For me the upper Ashburton lakes has been an area that has fascinated me since the early 1980's when I used to go up with my father on fishing trips to Lake Heron and Camp.. Found this blast from the past- doing a black-billed gull colony count on the upper South Branch of the Ashburton river -1989

Brook Trout

Lake Emily has outstanding values for its brook trout fishery- beautiful fish and great eating ,with apricot coloured flesh, although I only kept two last year. always a joy to catch and a treat to eat !

Lake Denny

One of the lesser known lakes in the Ashburton group- A shallow lake with some good wetland plant habitats. I have only visited this lake once in 2005

Kayaking in winter- Lake Heron

Another blast from the past- winter 1998 on Lake Heron- a magical days kayaking- winters stillness with the kayaks bow shattering the ice and breaking the silence. In the photo- kayaking buddy Glen McKinley.

Magical day on Deep Creek - 1998

Well over a decade ago- Deep Creek is a magical fishing location. I will never forget this day when I played a 10 pound rainbow trout for two hours in a big whirl pool- It is the diversity of spring creeks in the upper Rangitata Catchment that add a lot to the upper rivers' productivity. The layering of the cloud on the Ben McLeod range is striking- "land of the long white cloud "