Auckland / Waikato News Index> September 2007

Round-up September

Opening day in the Auckland/Waikato Region
The weather is often the deciding factor when it comes to fishing in October. There is always somewhere fishable but it does pay to check conditions before you go. The main web sites to check are:

www.ew.govt.nz/enviroinfo/riverlevelsandrainfall/index.htm

www.hydro.genesisenergy.co.nz/AllFlow.asp

www.horizonsmw.govt.nz

www.metservice.co.nz/default/index.php?alias=akradarlast24hrs

The first three web sites give rainfall and river flows for the main rivers in the region. The last web site shows the weather radar images for the upper/middle North Island over the last 8 hours. This site is really useful as you can easily see whether there has been any rain overnight and whether there will be any rain arriving soon. It is surprising how often it can be raining heavily in Auckland and Hamilton, and yet perfectly dry in the King Country (south of Otorohanga) and of course vise versa.

Overall the weather conditions over winter have been excellent for trout growth with no major floods and the rivers are generally in good condition. At the time of writing (21st September) all the southern rivers are running at the equivalent of low summer flow, so it is looking good for the opening.

Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game has access pamphlets on all the main fisheries. The pamphlets are available from the Auckland/Waikato office by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to Fish and Game, Brymer Road, RD9, Hamilton .

Fishing regulations
There are no changes to the fishing regulations for the new season. Just a reminder that the use of scented, soft plastic bait is definitely illegal in all freshwater waters under the First Schedule of the Fishing Regulations. This includes the use of scented baits for both trout and perch.

World Fly Fishing Championship: The Championship will be held in late March 2008, with the fishing venues in the Auckland/Waikato (Ohinemuri, Waihou and Whanganui rivers) and Taupo regions (Lake Rotoaira, Lake Otamangakau).

Waikato River – optimum time for big browns
October/November is regarded as the best time for targeting big brown trout in the Waikato River. In the lower Waikato River, a run of large brown trout follow the whitebait up the from the river mouth. These brownies are usually in excellent condition and are often silverly in colouration. And they are big fish, offering a real possibility of landing a trophy. Typically the best time to fish is at night, preferably a moonless night, or early morning before the sun hits the water. Most browns are caught a metre or two from the bank in shallow water. Use a large wet fly such as a rabbit fly or woolly bugger, and a floating line. Spin fishing can also be effective with a small ball sinker placed above a swivel about a metre above the fly. An effective technique is to cast out into the current allowing the line to swing back into the shore and then a slow retrieve close to the bank. There is no shortage of good locations to try in Hamilton, Cambridge and below the Karapiro Dam.

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