Fishing News index> November 2007

Bumper result trout comp
Rotorua’s ‘International’ trout fishing competition run during mid November produced some spectacular results and in doing so made suggestion of a promising season ahead. The tournament, which is the largest of those held in Rotorua and now celebrating its 40th anniversary, was attended by 249 enthusiastic fishers. Rotorua East Lions club tournament organiser Alex McKenzie said that anglers had enjoyed three great days and that 275 fish were weighted in many between 3 and 4.25kg. The overall winner, Shortland Street’s Jamie Passier-Armstrong boated a beauty 4.25kg rainbow from Lake Rotoiti. Fishing from her father’s boat, Armstrong said the Rotorua competition was the first she had entered although she frequently fishes the Rotorua lakes.

Early indication of catch data from the lakes looks promising. Results from 739 October 1st surveys conducted by Fish and Game staff indicate that all of the lakes are doing well but Tarawera in particular appears to be on the improve. Senior fisheries officer Rob Pitkethley said that the season ahead should be good, “the fishing season has started well and with weather predictions suggesting the remainder of spring are likely to be warmer than usual, we can expect some excellent fish to be taken prior to Christmas.”

Rotorua lakes 

Eastern Region responds to Didymo threat
Staff from Eastern Fish & Game played a significant role in the recent didymo scare based around Turangi during November. Trained in the detection and sampling of didymo, Eastern staff were quickly on hand to assist MAF Biosecurity’s North Island response team. Other members of the team were utilised in education and containment of a possible outbreak by speaking to anglers at all the key locations around the Taupo district. Teams from the Department of Conservation and Genesis Energy also played a major role

Currently no live cells have been detected in the North Island and MAF BNZ is working to identify the source of dead cells found in during October and November 07. For now that’s good news but lets not get complacent: users are reminded of the need to protect our own resource by simply following the simple CHECK, CLEAN, DRY practice. 

Sampling for didymo

Huge Ngongotaha brown runs anticipated
Rotorua anglers keenly await the beginning of December – not because the festive season is nearing but because it marks the start of a big brown trout opportunity! The upper river section above SH5 opens to angling on the first of the month, and by coincidence usually coincides with migrating monsters from Lake Rotorua. A trapping programme on the stream, initially inspired by anecdotal evidence from anglers back in 2003, monitors the movements, both up  and downstream of migrating Rotorua fish. Peak runs occur between mid November and February. The size and frequency of the Ngongotaha browns plus the timing of their runs make them feature well on the radar of local anglers. Opportunities exist from the river mouth where big fish can be taken throughout the day and night on bully or koura type patterns to the upper river sections where fish might be enticed to take small nymphs.
Anglers visiting the river this summer are reminded that didymo continues to be a threat. Equipment should be checked, cleaned and dried especially if other waters have been fished recently. 

An average Ngongotaha brown tips the scales at over 3kg

Lake McLarens benefits
Lake McLarens in the Tauranga district received a liberation of rainbow and brown trout yearlings during November. The idyllic location is popular with local anglers and provides fishing opportunities for novice and expert alike. McLarens is one of the most highly stocked waters in the Eastern Fish & Game region making it an ideal location to promote fishing to young anglers.
Members of the Tauranga anglers club and local media were present to welcome the fish which were raised at the Ngongotaha hatchery near Rotorua. 
McLarens is situated off SH 29 about 15km from Tauranga towards Hamilton. Angler access is from a picturesque park-like setting making McLarens ideal for a family outing. 

Trout being loaded at Ngongotaha ready for liberation at Lake McLarens

Back to Reel Life