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Fishing News index > December 2006
Taranaki Trout Fishing News December 2006
Allen Stancliff,
Fish and Game Officer
Taranaki Ringplain
After a wetter than average October and November it looks as though the weather
is finally starting to settle and with flows receding steadily, Taranaki ringplain
streams and rivers are now in great condition for summer angling. Green
beetle are still relatively abundant and a #14-16 imitation cast to rising
trout or drifted along foam lines will often bring success. As water
temperatures continue to rise, trout will start to seek the comfort of well-oxygenated
riffles, runs and pocket-water and the use of #14-16 hare and copper, pheasant
tail or half-back nymphs of varying weights (depending on the water depth and
flow rate) either fished on their own or under a bushy dry fly indicator will
be productive. Sandy-cased caddis imitations will also work well, particularly
in waters like the Waingongoro River in south Taranaki. Anglers can also
expect some good hatches of caddis, with plenty of action during the evening
rise.
Photo: New Plymouth angler John Hardie Boys with a nice Taranaki
ringplain brown.
The following tips should help anglers make the most of summer
trout fishing in Taranaki ringplain streams:
- Nymph-fish the upper reaches of the medium and large streams
within 5-6 kilometres of the National Park boundary and above
260 metres altitude. Water quality is usually excellent
with cool, clear water, little algal growth and plenty of caddis,
mayfly and stonefly larvae available as trout food. Large
brown trout will often be located in the pools, but don’t
overlook pocket-water in the bouldery runs and riffles. As a
general guide, meandering stream sections contain more pools
and therefore more trout than straight-channeled sections;
- Stalk the middle and lower reaches of streams with a dry fly. As
water flows recede in summer, brown trout can be spotted lazily
cruising a beat in a pool or deeper run. Using polaroid
sunglasses, spot your trout, crawl up close and cast your dry
fly out when the fish has turned away. Watch for a take
as it cruises back round the pool or run;
- Fish the evening rise on the larger river pools. Good
hatches of mayfly can occur in the upper reaches of streams;
- Fish the riffles and rapids in the larger rivers, such as the
Waingongoro between Eltham and the sea, as trout often seek out
these areas in summer;
- Spin fishing, or bait fishing with a bubble float and worm,
can be very productive as rivers clear on the tail end of freshes. When
the water is dirty, bait fishing in back eddies can also bring
success. Spin and bait fishing for trout and perch can
also be fun at Lake Ratapiko. Fly fishing at Lake Mangamahoe
is also very relaxing. Look for trout cruising the lake
margins.
A Taranaki road map showing rivers and streams, or the various
1:50,000 Taranaki Topomaps, will be useful for finding productive
habitat round the mountain, as is Fish & Game NZ’s free
pamphlet on the Taranaki ringplain trout fishery. Please
remember that as there are few “Queen’s chain” areas
along ringplain streams, anglers should obtain permission from
the appropriate landholder. Farmers seldom refuse access
when asked. For pamphlets on Taranaki ringplain and the Waingongoro
River fisheries, please contact Fish & Game at fgtar@clear.net.nz
Waimarino
So far this season, anglers have had great success on the Manganuioteao
River, with brown and rainbow trout generally being of a larger
size than last season and in great condition. A 2-fly rig
consisting of a #12-14 weighted nymph, followed by a smaller
#14-16 nymph tied on as a 20cm dropper is currently working very
well, using pheasant-tail, hare and copper, halfback and green
caddis patterns, both beaded and un-beaded. A few fish
have also been taken on the spinner, particularly while the river
is falling following a fresh. In a recent visit, only a
few trout were seen rising during the day, but I’m told
that the evening rise is increasing in intensity as the water
warms up. While there is road reserve along much
of the Manganuioteao River in its middle and upper reaches, the
farmland between the road and the river is almost all in private
ownership. Many of the farm tracks do not follow the reserve
and are also privately owned. The golden rule is therefore
to always ask the landowner for permission. They seldom
refuse access when asked and if they do, it’s likely to
be because someone else is already there fishing, or they intend
working with stock in the area you want to fish and they
will generally direct you to another more suitable area. Please
respect their wishes, as it only takes a few incidents to ruin
it for everyone. A large river map at Ruatiti Domain gives
details of landowner to ask for access.
The Retaruke River is another productive Waimarino backcountry
fishery that fishes well during the summer low flow. The
Retaruke can be reached via the gravelled Kaitieke Road from Raurimu,
or the sealed Oio Road just south of Owhango. Turn into upper
Retaruke Road at the monument and there is more than 10 km of fishable
water up into a gorge. The Retaruke has a high quality invertebrate
fauna and supports good numbers of brown trout, with a few rainbows. Well
worth a visit, but please ask the landholders for access.
Auckland/Waikato
Located within an hour and half’s drive north of New Plymouth
in the Auckland Waikato F&G Region, the Mangaotaki and Awakino
Rivers can fish very well during the summer period. The Awakino
River through the SH3 gorge is open to fly and spin fishing, with
both brown and rainbow trout present. Rainbow trout predominate
in the river above the gorge and they often congregate in the riffle-run
areas as flows recede. This area is therefore a great place
for novice anglers to find success. Above SH3 at Mahoenui
(Gribbons Road) the Awakino is restricted to fly fishing only. All
sections of the Awakino have a 2-trout daily bag limit.
The Mangaotaki River, a tributary of the Mokau River, is accessible
from the SH3 Bridge and picnic area (located midway between Mahoenui
and PioPio) and also by heading west at PioPio towards Mangaotaki
settlement. There are usually plenty of rainbows residing
in pocket water and drop-offs associated with the many limestone
fissures and ledges in the Mangaotaki.
Didymo
Anglers are reminded of the importance of checking, cleaning and
drying their fishing gear when moving between waterways to prevent
the spread of Didymo. Research findings announced recently by
NIWA suggest that felt soled wading boots are a very high risk
vector for the spread of Didymo. Scientists now recommend soaking
felt soled boots in fifty degree water for at least 20 minutes
when moving between waterways. Trout fishery managers are
therefore endorsing calls for anglers not to wear felt soled
wading boots this summer in order to reduce the risk of spreading
didymo algae into the North Island.
The NIWA research has highlighted that it is almost impossible
to effectively clean felt soled boots. While other gear can
and must be cleaned with 5% detergent or 2% bleach to ensure didymo
is not spread, this does not work with these boots. Walking
on didymo pushes the cells into the felt material, where cleaning
agents are unable to reach. The most effective way to clean
these boots is to either freeze them or immerse in hot water of
50 degrees for 20 minutes or more. Neither of these methods
is very practical, especially for travellers, so anglers are encouraged
to wear rubber boots or neoprene waders which dry quickly and are
easily cleaned. Either that, or wear the boots in one river only. While
this is obviously a hindrance, if anglers are serious about protecting
the waters and fisheries they value, it is essential they leave
their felt soled boots at home. This single action will significantly
reduce the risk of spreading didymo, but it is also essential that
all river users clean their gear after every trip. What is
clear, unfortunately, is that the very waters which grow good trout
also grow good didymo.
Taranaki ringplain river flows.
http://www.trc.govt.nz/environment+online/river/river.asp
Manawatu/Wanganui river flows (e.g. Mangawhero at Hagleys).
http://www.horizons.govt.nz/maps/map.asp
Auckland/Waikato river flows (e.g. Awakino River)
http://www.environmentwaikato.govt.nz/enviroinfo/riverlevelsandrainfall/riverlevelsmap/index.htm
Didymo information.
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pest-and-disease-response/pests-and-diseases-watchlist/didymosphenia-geminata
Allen Stancliff
Fish and Game Officer
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