Auckland / Waikato News > January 2008

Summer update

With the long hot dry spell the fishing has been increasingly difficult on rain-fed rivers. By mid-January, most rivers were running very low. Indeed, the upper Waipa was at its lowest level since recording started in 1985.  There has been some rain since then, especially in the Coromandel, but most river are still low and clear.

Anglers are seeing plenty of trout but often these fish are reluctant to take a fly. Trout are present in high numbers because they have been forced out of the lower reaches by high water temperatures.  You will often find large schools of big brownies just loafing around a pool.  These can be very hard fish to catch, but a large cicada fly dropped on the nose can often produce some interest. 

Trout tend to reduce their feeding once water temperatures exceed 19°C, and as temperatures increase further they become stressed and will often stop feeding.  On large, open rivers such as the Waipa, the water temperature can vary by as much as 6-8°C during the day.  Thus trout will often confine their feeding to early morning when temperatures are usually below 19°C with little activity later in the day.  So unfortunately, getting up early to fish does pay dividends! 

Some anglers believe that on warm days, trout are more likely to be found feeding in turbulent water, even in the white water of rapids.  Here the water reputedly has a higher oxygen content allowing trout to feed in the warmer water.  Not too sure about the science behind this but it can be a useful fishing strategy. 

One way to beat the heat is to head for the South Waikato spring creeks, which are an excellent option during summer.  These rivers usually have a procession of springs throughout their upper reaches providing a constant input of cold water at about 12°C.  Over summer there is often plenty of surface activity providing good opportunities for a small dry fly. 

Despite the heat, the hydro lakes are still fishing well. The river mouths in Karapiro are generally productive over summer as trout seek the cooler water. As I mentioned in the last Reel Life, growth rates in Arapuni have been really impressive and this lake continues to produce good fish. 

Ben Wilson
Fisheries Manager

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