Fishing News index > March 2008

FOCUS ON THE TUKITUKI

You may have heard or read about some of the issues surrounding the Tukituki.  There is no doubt that the catchment has some issues regarding water quality and that at times this is not good.  As the Hawke's Bay Regional Council say ‘Good not brilliant – should be better”.  Fortunately we still have a great trout fishery and the fishing remains as much fun as ever.  The summer has been tough with very low flows and hot temperatures.  This has forced the trout into the cooler refuge areas where groundwater comes up to the surface under the river.  This can make for some great fishing as the trout are concentrated in a small area.  You may have to walk a wee way to find these spots, but this can be worth the walk!  If you have an interest in what is happening with regards to the quality of water in the Tukituki, then stay abreast of the issues.  The best place to do this will be on a special web page that the Hawke's Bay Regional Council has created to inform people of what is happening.  Go to http://www.hbrc.govt.nz/Water/LetsTalkTukituki/tabid/819/Default.aspx to check it out.  If you have any questions on this issue then feel free to contact us on hawkesbay@fishandgame.org.nz

FURTHER FISHING THE BAY

While the summer has been dry for all of the North Island we are fortunate that a couple of our bigger rivers originate in the central plains on the Kaimanawa and Kaweka Ranges.  This has meant that they have received a little more rainfall that the smaller coastal rivers and streams and have kept their flows higher.  One that offers a huge variety and area to fish is the Ngaruroro.  This river is as interesting from the point of view of the way the water behaves as the fishing.  Up the top (around Whanawhana) the flows can be nearly three times what we get near the coast as lots of water is lost to the ground as it leaves the ranges.  This means that up higher you can still have plenty of good water for fishing, even if it looks low down on the plains.  The drive up the top of the valley is spectacular and once there you have some great water to fish.  Best of all there are plenty of trout holding in the upper river.  Make to effort to go that little bit further and you might get onto trout like the one below!

AUTUMN OPTIONS FOR THE REGION

The days are now noticeably shorter and evening cooler.  This will bring a few changes to the fishing around the region.  With the changes we will hopefully see the advent of a few more rain events that will bolster river flows down on the plains and begin trout movements though the catchments.  This time of year can be particularly productive as trout begin feeding heavily to stack on condition in preparation for the winter spawning runs.

Tutira will also begin to fish a little better as the temperatures drop and the algal bloom recedes.  The autumn can be a great time to target fish from a boat drift along the weed edge with a jigging set.  Fish a couple of wet flies (wooly buggar or Hamills pattern) above a small weight.  Find the edge of the drop off and move out a further couple of meters and jig (or jiggle) the flies through this zone.  Best option is to drift rather than anchor.

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