Fishing News index>December 2007

TARANAKI REGION TROUT FISHING – December 2007

The La Nina weather pattern now appears to be well established, which for Taranaki generally means easterly winds, low rainfall and warm temperatures. Taranaki ringplain streams are already at their average annual low flow and it looks as though we are in for a summer of extended low flows, punctuated by only the occasional fresh.

Anglers have been making plenty of positive comments about the numbers and size of trout in ringplain waterways and several fish of 2.5kg or better (both browns and rainbows) have been caught so far this season in south Taranaki rivers. Anglers have also seen up to seven good fish in some of the larger pools, which is excellent news. With the low flows, trout in the smaller streams will be mostly confined to the pools, with the fast aerated water at the pool head providing the prime feeding lie. In larger rivers, the deeper runs will also hold fish, but again, trout will tend to seek the comfort of faster well-oxygenated water as temperatures increase during the day. Fishing during the cool of the early morning is proving to be productive, as one of our F&G Rangers found out after hitting the water at 5.30am and promptly hooking into six fish. For those who enjoy a lie in, the upper reaches of waterways above 250 metres altitude seldom rise above 20 0C, even during the heat of the day and the pools, runs and pocket-water in these areas are well worth targeting with a dry fly-small nymph combo. Green beetle in #14-16 are still proving effective, as well as the usual #14-16 hare & copper and pheasant tail nymphs. Cicada won’t be far off, given the current dry, warm conditions.

The last of the well-grown rainbows (15-month fish) raised at the Hawera hatchery were released in local waters in October and November, with the Waingongoro River receiving about 60% of the release total (Table 1). Rainbow releases into the Kaupokonui catchment over the last few years have also proven successful, with significant numbers of wild rainbows now appearing in the angler catch.

TABLE 1. Total numbers of 2006-07 year-class and 2-year-old rainbow trout

liberated in Taranaki ringplain waterways.

Recent kids’ fishing days in the Patea River at Stratford and at Lakes Ngangana and Opunake using 2-year-old rainbows donated by DOC’s Tongariro National Centre were very successful and junior anglers in particular are having fun chasing the left-overs which were released from their enclosures t the end of the events. In the Patea River, the rainbows remain in the reach of the river down through Stratford for several months and complement the angling offered by the river’s resident brown trout population.

Fishing at Lake Ratapiko has been a little slow in recent weeks, but trout should still be cruising the shallows providing sport for the fly fisher. Brown trout are also cruising the edges of Lake Mangamahoe, but they can be more than a little choosey and careful presentation of small green beetle, waterboatman, snail or midge imitations will hopefully induce a take. The use of a blowfly imitation may also do the trick. Please remember that Lake Mangamahoe is the only water in the Taranaki region restricted to fly fishing only with rod, fly reel and fly line.

For Wanganui anglers, the Mangawhero River along the SH4 Parapara Highway is low and exceptionally clear at present and well suited to fly fishing techniques, with spin fishing also worth a go. The Manganuioteao River near Raetihi is in a similar condition and providing great sport with fish of all sizes, including the occasional monster that will run you into the backing.

Please continue to use the Check, Clean and Dry protocol to prevent the spread of didymo. For anglers, this effectively means restricting yourselves to one river a day because of the risk of transferring didymo in damp socks and other clothing, which should be machine washed before use in another waterway. Soaking fly boxes, reels, boots etc. in a bucket of 5% detergent, or putting them overnight in the freezer until frozen solid is also recommended, along with the usual spraying of waders, rods, nets etc. with 5% detergent. Taranaki sports shops still have supplies of free didymo spray bottles, pens and “stop didymo” stickers, so please grab some and help spread the word.

Allen Stancliff
Fish and Game Officer

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