Auckland / Waikato News > February 2008

Summer: drift dives and drought

We took advantage of the long dry period to carry out our drift dive program and included several rivers that we haven’t dived for about ten years.  Generally most rivers are holding large numbers of fish in their upper reaches, with the notable exception of the Ohinemuri.

Most rivers are experiencing low flows as a consequence of the Waikato drought: nevertheless during February there has been reasonably good rainfall in the headwaters of the major rivers. 

Awakino River:  Trout numbers in the upper Awakino were high, including fish over 2kg, which is exceptional for this river.  However according to regular Awakino anglers, the high water clarity, low flows and warm temperatures have generally contributed to difficult fishing conditions. 

Waipapa River: Visibility was surprisingly poor in the lower reaches of this river and there were accumulations of silt.  Reputedly there are massive dairy conversions being undertaken in the headwaters.  Fish numbers were similar to previous years with good numbers of fish.

Whakapapa River:  Water clarity was down to only 6 metres from around 8 metres in previous years, and it wasn’t easy to spot trout.  The water had a definite milky tinge, most probably from the lahar last winter that came down the Whakapapa-iti catchment.  Nevertheless, in the upper reaches there were reasonable numbers of big fish.  However flows were high and will remain so until there is considerable rainfall in the catchment.  Weed growth is also making fishing difficult throughout the Whakapapa.

Waipa River:  The dive was carried out in the upper reaches, well above Toa Bridge.  Trout numbers were very high, mainly rainbows 25-45cm, but with the occasional big brown.  The Waipa and tributaries are generally fishing well with encouraging angler reports from the Puniu, Mangatutu and Waipa at Toa’s. 

Ohinemuri River:  Fish numbers were very patchy.  So if you’re not catching fish then you need to move on.  Some surprisingly good fish in the long stagnant pools, really just a series of small lakes separated by rapids. But overall fish numbers were disappointing.  A better option may be the upper Waitawheta. 

Waihou River: Vast numbers of fish, mainly small as you would expect in the Waihou.  However there were still high numbers of large trout with over 70 fish greater than 30cm in length per kilometre.

Ben Wilson
Fisheries ManagerBen Wilson
Fisheries Manager

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