Fishing News index> April 2008

Fishing News

The 30th April is looming fast and for the most part opportunities to fish rivers and streams will soon be over.

The season has been warmer than usual which has resulted in lower than normal flows for most waterways. Fishing excursions for smaller waters have been restricted to deeper pools where fish have been holding in cooler water. The one positive with these conditions has been the water clarity, which has allowed anglers to experience some wonderful sight fishing. With patience and perseverance anglers have been catching fish in these deeper pools by changing tackle until the food source is matched. Lighter fluorocarbon tippets have also been key especially with such clear conditions.

Autumn is officially upon us and water temperatures will gradually drop. The seasonal change triggers fish to start vigorously feeding and putting on condition for their annual migratory spawning runs.  This window of opportunity before the end of April provides excellent sport and gets anglers into bigger pre spawning fish.  Targeting tributary confluences pays dividends as larger fish congregate prior to their upstream spawning movements. 

Seasoned anglers generally take advantage of this period and many use wet flies fished down stream and across a tributaries mouth. An extremely fast and exciting way to fish as the take is usually rapid and vigorous. A matter of weeks remain, so make the most of this period and prepare for some solid hook-ups.

Angler reports through the office have been encouraging for lakes and reservoirs with fish from the Kai-Iwi lakes being taken in the deeper cooler thermo clines.

Fish landed have been in exceptional order, which bodes well for the winter fishing on these waters. Of note has been the abundance of the native Inanga (whitebait), which have been shoaling, in good numbers around the lakes edges. The abundance of these delicate native fish is usually reliant on water levels, which aid them with reproduction in the safety of the surrounding reed beds. All manner of aquatic life is hugely dependant on these good conditions so we can expect excellent catches from these waters this winter. Other lakes and waters have been experiencing similar events so anglers can expect to catch well conditioned healthy fish for the upcoming winter periods. Until next month.

Prize winners Kai-Iwi competition 2007

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