Fishing Reports index > February 2008

Hawke’s Bay Fishing Report

From Grant Petherick

A quick look at the weather forecast today ( Feb 22nd ) shows heavy rain warnings for most parts of NZ….except Hawkes Bay / Gisborne.

For once, I am disappointed.  The local rivers are low , warm and weedy.
 Even the Mohaka, usually a haven at this time of year, is suffering from the lack of rain.

Water in its lower reaches is murky and warm and the growth of the nuisance weed filamentous green algae,  the worst I have seen in over 35 years of fishing.
Fish are still being caught but the high angling pressure and unfavourable water conditions mean anglers are having to work hard to find co-operative fish.

The major lowland rivers have gone into shutdown mode as they tend to do in very warm, dry summers. In many places, fish can be seen podded up in backwaters and those still opting for the main stem become sullen by early afternoon.

Small  back country streams are also showing the effects of rain deficit…several are no more than a series of  shallow pools connected by a meagre trickle of in-flow. Consequently,  trout in these systems have dropped back into the larger parent river or are completely “ wired”.

Advice to anglers…….pray for rain.

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