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Auckland / Waikato News Index> May 2007
Auckland/Waikato May 2007
Help required
As noted in the previous newsletter, we are going to require some assistance planting flaxes and shrubs along the Mangatutu Stream. The time has now been confirmed as 10 a.m., Sunday, 27th May. We’ll provide a barbecue afterwards and we will also have a brief talk from F&G and Environment Waikato staff on the whole Waipa/Mangatutu management project. So this is a good opportunity to hear what is going on and have some input, as well as assisting the local landowners in the management of the river.
If you can attend please contact Ben Wilson at bwilson@internet.co.nz
Late Autumn flows
Flows in the region’s river remain low with comparatively little rainfall over the last month. Note that the minimum flow requirement for the lower Whanganui River finishes at the end of May, consequently flows in the Whakapapa will drop by about 50% in the headwaters and 30% lower down at Owhango.
Fishing reports
We’ve received good reports of the fishing in the Waipa headwaters, especially the mainstem below Toa Bridge, Puniu River and Moakuarua River – all appear to be firing with numerous large spawning browns. At this time of year it is always worth a cruise along the Kaimai Ranges to fish the many spawning streams of the Waihou system. These streams can hold an amazing number of fish if you hit a spawning run. The Komata, Rapurapu, Omahine, Kakahu and Hikutaia are always worth fishing at this time of year.
Phil Gates reports on the recent Lake Pupuke fishing competition:
The North Shore Flyfishers’ Club and Auckland/Waikato Chapter of Trout Unlimited New Zealand hosted a free and open fishing competition on the 6 May 2007. Once again Hunts Sports of Milford was the gracious sponsor. This is the fifth consecutive year that the CHALLENGE has been run and each year the number of participants grows.
Prior to the event, both Dennis Smith and I received phone calls from numerous individuals asking key questions on the rules and procedures for the day. We had excellent coverage by the North Shore Times and even had an article placed in its sister publication, the Eastern Courier.
We had also been advised by Auckland Waikato Fish and Game - Fisheries Officer, Ben Wilson that the fish that had been liberated on the previous Wednesday were between 1 kg and 2 kg, instead of the planned 600 gram fish. Due to a landslide at the Ngongotaha hatchery facilities, the fish had been raised for the last few months in the Turangi hatchery. However in Turangi the fish were overfed! What luck!
The weather turned out in spades for the day. I met Dennis Smith down at the rowing Club around 7:00 am. We had both brought our pontoon boats with us so that we could sample all the Lake’s edges. There were already at least half a dozen or more anglers on the shore. By 1:00 pm or so, both Dennis and I had retired off the lake. The fishing gods were not smiling on Dennis or I, as neither of us had a take. We both saw nice size fishing rising, just not around us. We had heard stories of fish being caught and seen in the shallows.
At 3:30 pm the weigh in commenced in the parking lot of Sylvan Park. This year the adults came in with the top prize. The biggest trout was a 1.6 lb (41 cm) fish caught by John Shiota, an AFACI angler. The second biggest trout was a 1.3 pound (36.5 cm) fish caught by Negishi Makoto (one of four he landed). The largest non-trout species was a 3.8 pound tench which was caught by Leon Talaic.
We had 13 juniors in our draws this year. Some were return winners from last year’s event. This year John Bloomfield, Stella Bloomfield and Michael Smith won the spot prizes.
So, there are still some 4 pound R-strain rainbow trout lurking around Lake Pupuke. Don’ let them go to waste!
Back to Reel Life May 2007 | 
