Fishing News index>September 2007

Eastern Region Round-up

MILD SPRING BOOSTS NEW SEASON PROSPECTS – STEVE SMITH
Prospects of a mild spring are great news for anglers eagerly awaiting the 1 October start to the new trout fishing season.  Senior Fish & Game Officer, Rob Pitkethley said “the start to last season was cold and windy which made things tough both for trout and anglers.  As a consequence the season got of to a slow start and the fish never really recovered”.  He added that the weather predictions for this spring were for a weak La Nina weather pattern to replace last years El Nino which brought the wind and cold temperatures.

“These conditions should make it easier for anglers to get out fishing.  It should also encourage the traditional spring smelt runs around the lakes which enables the trout to grow rapidly and gain condition.  The recent winter has also been warmer than average which this should have boosted fish growth.”

Fish & Game expect the fish on most if not all of the lakes to be at least as big or bigger than the start of last season.  “We are able to estimate the size of trout on opening day by analyzing data from small 1+ aged fish caught early in the winter.  It is clear from these results that the autumn liberated fish in particular have done well.  For example autumn released fish on Tarawera should average 550mm which is a big jump on last year and be the best for at least the last four years.”
The busiest place on opening day is undoubtedly going to be Lake Tarawera, which each year attracts thousands of anglers for the first day of the season.  It’s always a great social day with most anglers catching a few fish.  This year should be no exception.  Lake Rotoiti has steadily increased in popularity over the past two seasons due to the large fish that are regularly being caught and even more anglers are expected this year.  Mr Pitkethley suggested that some of the other lakes were a good option for anglers looking for a bit more room on the water.  “Lake Okataina fished consistently well last season but does not usually attract as many anglers.  The reduced activity on opening day is likely to work in the anglers favour as the fish usually get wary as a result of the extreme boat activity on the really busy lakes.”

While most of the anglers will be out on boats it is most likely that the biggest fish will come from the Ohau Channel.  The Ohau Channel has consistently produced monster fish early in the season and the indications are that it will do the same this season. 

If you are looking for a quiet place to go fishing on 1 October, however, give Tarawera a miss, as you will probably have another 500 boats for company.  On the other hand it’s the place to be if you enjoy a social start to the season.  If you are making a weekend of it don’t forget the annual Blessing of the Boats and Piping of the Haggis at the Tarawera Landing on the eve of the opening.
The bulk of anglers are likely to be heading for the regular hotspots.  While plenty of fish are caught in these areas a huge range of opportunities largely go untapped.  The smaller lakes are a classic example.  Fisheries such as Ngapouri and Okaro are literally full of fish and are a fantastic opportunity for the either the family or getting new or young anglers underway.  While the fish may not match Rotoiti for size expect a great catch rate. 

Fish & Game remind anglers to be aware of the risk of inadvertently spreading aquatic plants or algae such as didymo.  Inspect the boat and trailer after leaving the water and remove any weed and then wash any part of the boat or fishing gear that will not dry thoroughly before they next go fishing.

 Opening day Rotoiti 2006 – ’07 shapes ups with promise…

Trapping updates
The Ngongotaha trap has been out of action for several months due to debris and high water levels, but was operated for 10 days during September producing 20 upstream rainbow averaging 576mm, 2.8kg.  Fish heading downstream included 48 rainbow trout and 1 brown jack.

The Te Wairoa trap at Lake Tarawera closed for the season after 5 full months of trapping. This facility is used to collect adults for the Eastern Fish and Game selective breeding program at the Ngongotaha hatchery. Over 1480 fish ran through the trap for the season, less then 2005’s record run of over 2000 fish, but well over the long term average. 

*Note: Upper Ngongotaha above SH5 opens for angling on the 1st of December. Below SH5 is open throughout the year to fly and spin anglers. The Te Wairoa stream mouth will be open to fly fishing only from 1 October.

A prime trap female ready for stripping

Forty thousand fish boost Rotorua lakes
In the fortnight leading up to the new season opening on October 1 over 40 thousand rainbow trout will leave their home at the Ngongotaha hatchery and make new residence in one of the many local Rotorua lakes. Surprisingly none of them will be on the radar of keen anglers come the beginning of the fishing season! In fact, averaging just 18cm in length the yearling trout will need to almost double in size before meeting the minimum legal size to be taken, something they will do easily according to Senior Fish & Game Officer, Rob Pitkethley. “The growth is phenomenal, especially during their second year (their first year in the lake). This year’s growth conditions look to be shaping up well and we are expecting the two year old Tarawera fish to average about 55cm”.
Liberation information is available from: http://www.fishandgame.org.nz/Site/Regions/Eastern_HawkesBay/fishingNews/liberation.aspx 

Just a few of the forty plus thousand fish being released

How big will they be on Opening Day? – Matt Osborne
Opening Day on Lake Rotoiti is looking good with the hatchery released 2-year old rainbows, the most likely fish to be encountered (Left pelvic clip) expected to come in above 50cm which is slightly down on the past two years but better than the long term average size.  The autumn released 2-year-plus rainbows should average closer to 55cm.  These predictions are gathered from end of season fishing competitions, and the Rotoiti data from last season was gathered several months earlier than previous years.  The expected growth over these ‘missing months’ was then estimated from historical data meaning the opening day sizes for the 2007-08 season are rougher calculations compared to the Tarawera prediction below. Remember that the Mourea ramp is out of action due to “The wall” being constructed, so the closest ramps for Tauranga boaties are Otaramarae and Gisborne Point.

Lake Tarawera has shown a real improvement in fish growth recently and the size of the 2-year-old hatchery fish in Tarawera at Opening Day (Left pelvic clip) should average out at 530mm.  This group of fish make up about 40% of the total Opening Day catch, and at this size will be better than the last three years and slightly higher than the long term (39 year) average of 527mm.
Lake Okataina should produce fish similar in size to last opening day with hatchery 2-year-olds expected around the 520-530mm bracket.
Fish and Game will be conduction boat ramp surveys on the 1st of October. Anglers are reminded to carry their new season licences with them at all times.

Watch for Fish and Game survey staff on October 1

Event boosted by top local chef
Top local chef and star of Maori TV’s award show Kai Time on the road, Peter Peeti will be a star appearance at Eastern Fish and Game’s Open Day on September 30th. Peeti’s talents with wild game and fish are well known to followers of Kai Time – now in its fifth season. Expect something extra from the local Ngati Pikiao boy as he creates mouth watering dishes from local trout plus advises on preparation and care of your catch.

Pete Peeti is the Executive Chef at Freos Licensed Café in Rotorua.

Culinary master Peter Peeti will be at this years open day, September 30th
 
Open Day at Ngongotaha hatchery
The public will be able to attend an Open Day at Eastern Fish and Game’s Ngongotaha hatchery facility on Sunday 30th of September. The fourth annual event timed to coincide with the start of the new trout fishing season will serve to provide information on how the fishery is managed plus aid budding anglers catch fish more successfully!

Free seminars and demonstrations on boat fishing, fly casting and fly tying, cooking and preparation and several guided tours of the facility plus children’s fishing will make up the days events. 
Details of the event can be downloaded at http://www.fishandgame.org.nz/Site/Regions/Eastern_HawkesBay/fishingNews/General20072.aspx or by contacting Mark Sherburn mark@erfgc.co.nz, tel 07 357 5501 

 Lots to learn at the open day, Sunday September 30th 2007

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