Fishing Reports index > April 2008

Hawke’s Bay Fishing Report

From Grant Petherick

Easter was early this year, and so too it would seem , the transition from summer to autumn.

The  heavy rain and cold southerlies we have experienced are quite a departure from the settled weather of the past few seasons.

With 70 mm ( nearly 3 inches ) of rain falling in the district last week, the drought is well and truly over and all local waterways have risen considerably.

As the closed season is only 10 days away most anglers will be turning their attention to the larger systems that remain open 12 months / year.

Past experience tells me, that once rivers drop and clear there should be plenty of opportunity for very good angling.  The Tukituki/ Waipawa system and the middle / lower Mohaka fished very well right through May 2007.

With higher flows now established, the best approach will be to use heavier gold bead droppers, or double nymph rigs that have something flashy incorporated ( beads, copper, tinsel, etc)

Spin fishing and swinging lures such as rabbit flies and wooly buggers should also pay dividends as the rivers clear.

One  word of advice….check local fishing regulations to familiarize your self with waters that close / stay open May 1st through to Sept 30th.

Good fishing…

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