Increasing the success rate for Otago's freshwater anglers will be the focus of two Otago Fish and Game Council seminars in the region this week.
The council will hold its first free public seminar at Cromwell's Golden Gate Lodge this Thursday, followed by another at Omarama on January 10.
Vital information for beginners would be provided at the seminars, which were being held at just the right time, the council's operations manager, Ian Hadland, said.
"Some anglers are finding it tough. The fish are there but they can't seem to hook them, and we want to help bridge that gap to improve success rates."
Many anglers did not set their gear properly, fished in the wrong areas or lacked basic fish behaviour knowledge, he said.
The seminars, which would include information about effective methods of boat fishing as well as practical demonstrations and tips from local experts on where to fish, were aimed at anglers who fished productive Central Otago and Waitaki lakes.
Mr Hadland said similar seminars were held two years ago and had been successful.
"We'll see beginners to crusty old expert anglers there, and we consider even the latter will take away something new."
