Fishing Reports index>February 2007

Wanaka Fishing Report

Unfortunately this report may be a little brief but I have been very busy with excellent fishing.
By mid January and my last report, most holiday makers had once again returned home the weather came right with several brilliant weeks of sun and in the main calm weather.
The rivers and streams have become low and clear, conditions perfect for dry fly fishing.
The only problem being that with such great conditions and shallow waters the angling pressure has been large and fish becoming very wary. This has been testing the skill levels of anglers, particularly on rivers. Once spotted it is important to get your fly in the correct area as soon as possible. The fish will not wait and many fishermen take too long getting prepared for the big cast. For the overseas anglers it is not necessary to use extra long leaders, 9ft is ample in most cases as speed of delivery is important, when casting to cruising fish you do not want to spend time getting the leader out of rod guides. It is important to have the fly on the water in the fish’s path before it moves out of range. This is particularly important when fishing lake edges.
Once again the humpy patterns and wullf ties have been very productive and when necessary pheasant tail nymphs and streamers. Fly fishermen should start trying cicadas as we are now seeing them appear on our local waters.
The size and quality of trout has been excellent and if conditions remain brilliant we are going to have a really good season.
Boat trollers appear to have been doing well with the Lake Hawea fishing competition last weekend producing good catches.
For the spin fisherman where there are rising fish, a bubble with a dry fly is worth trying.
Once again I hope the weather holds and the fish remain in such good condition

Tight lines and more soon.

Richard Grimmett is an independent fishing guide; his reports are not officially representative of Fish & Game NZ