Fishing News index > November 2006

Northland Fishing News October 2006

Rudi Hoetjes, Regional Manager, Fish and Game NZ

Freshwater anglers are now out around the region in the new season with the search for those fish which brings with it the anticipation of finding out what new specimens are haunting those familiar fishing waters.

The trout fishing season opened on the streams and rivers on the 1st October and this provides a real focus for anglers and is always exciting to fish as anglers seek that trophy around the next bend.

Recently a party of angers visited the Waipapa River which flows out of the Puketi Forest and spent the day fishing the river from the confluence of the Mangapa and Waipapa River. The river conditions were near perfect with clear water and clean pools. Several good sized trout approx 1.0 Kg were seen as well as many smaller fish indicating reasonable recruitment. This river is the nearest opportunity that Northland   anglers have to a backcountry fishery and although the river does not hold big numbers of trout, the solitude and beautiful surroundings make this a very special place.

Woman angler on the Waipapa River

Rainbow Trout from Waipapa River

The weather over the past couple of weeks has been very settled with little rain having fallen and therefore the rivers have been slowly clearing following the winter wet.

Anglers have also fishing the Kaimamaku River and other tributary streams of the Wairua River near Hikurangi and Hukerenui with reasonable catches being recorded.

Rainbow trout numbers are good and if one is in the right locations spots good bags are being produced. The key to the river fishing seems to be exploring the many reaches of the Wairua Rivers vast river system.

Brown trout are also to be found in the river system and tend to be resident in the slower reaches of the river and anglers who venture downstream of the State Highway one bridges are likely to get glimpses of cruising Brown trout. The evening time is likely to be the best to catch these fish as the surface feed on the insects which are floating on the surface.

Northlands lakes and reservoirs have also been fishing well with spring now well underway. Water levels in all water bodies and full and angling from shore reaches is easier, especially for the novice participants. The Kai Iwi lakes are always a favourite and produce excellent eating quality trout

Recent catches at the Whau Valley Dam have been good with specimens up to 2.0 kg being landed. The key here is matching the activity to the technique. Seems the fish are easier to hook when marginal feeding on bullies and mosquito fish. Match the quarry and the results will follow. No boating is allowed on the reservoir.

Lake Manuwai near Kerikeri is a fishery which is annually stocked 400 - 500 Rainbow Trout fingerlings. Once the trout attain legal size (300mm), they average between 0.75 and 1 kilogram in weight. 

Fishing techniques of choice are usually wet fly and bait fishing however fish are caught when nymphing or dry fly fishing in the summer months.

Tackle choices used should represent snail, small bully and freshwater crayfish imitations as well as the usual summer insect varieties and small nymphs to match the summer hatches.

Non-motorised boat fishing is permitted, i.e. rowboats, kayaks, and yachts which will allow anglers to gain access to some of the dam’s inaccessible bays. Fishing from a boat also allows for jigging as the boat drifts across the lake. Anglers who prefer shore fishing can enjoy offshore angling simply by rowing or paddling to the man made islands located around the lake, which adds another dimension to this angling location.

The lake is set in a very picturesque valley and is a great place for the whole family, whether fishing, going for a picnic, or just visiting for a summer swim.

The Brown trout fishery at Wilson’s Dam is certainly performing as hoped with the brown trout specimens being landed by anglers being of a very good size.

Shoreline angling is the only methods allowed at either the dam wall or with access of Prescott Road.

Didymo is a freshwater alga. A single cell of didymo is microscopic; therefore it takes a number of cells to be present in the water before didymo is visible to the human eye.
Didymo attaches itself to streambeds by stalks. The stalks form a thick brown mat on rocks, plants and other materials in the water. Established mats form flowing streamers that turn white at the ends and look similar to tissue paper.
Didymo has been confused with New Zealand native alga. The main difference between didymo and native species is the way it feels. Native alga feels slimy and will break apart in your fingers, whereas didymo is strong and feels like wet cotton wool.
Didymo can form large mats on the bottom of streams, rivers and occasional lake edges where there is a wave action. Thick growths can adversely affect freshwater fish, plant and invertebrate species by reducing the number of suitable habitats.
Didymo is not considered a significant human health risk.
Didymo is an introduced aquatic ands is currently believed to be present only in the South Island but we need to take care so as not to introduce it the North Island.