Fishing News index > February 2010

TARANAKI TROUT FISHING

Attention all Taranaki Fish and Game Region sports fish licence holders!

Reports received indicate that over the weekend of 20/21 February 2010, a number of foreign tourists, possibly of Polish or Czech nationality, have been sighted over harvesting trout in the Waimarino and Ruapehu areas.  It is thought that these criminals are in the process of travelling round the North Island in one or more camper vans.

Piles of up to 40 trout have been reported to have been seen lying inside their camp site area, if true then it is clear that over harvesting had been taking place.  It is believed that the stock pile of fish were taken from both the Whakapapa and the upper Whanganui Rivers and it is believed that the tourists may now turn their attention to the Manganuiaotea River in the Waimarino area.  If this is the case then they will almost undoubtedly continue to over harvest fish. If you are out and about in the Waimarino or Ruapehu Districts then be alert to the possibility that these tourist may still be in the area and if you suspect that you have seen them then please call the Wanganui Office of Fish and Game on 06 345 4908 and report any sighting or details to staff.

The Taranaki Fish and Game Region may not be the region to be targeted by these individuals.  It is unknown where these people will be heading for next, or how long they will remain in the country.  Irrespective of where they are going this behaviour is unacceptable of any angler be they foreign or domestic or be they licenced or unlicenced.  The excess fish taken could well have proved to be the trophy fish you were destined to catch if not this season then in one to come.  Of even more importance is the potential loss of good hen fish that are the breeding stocks for future generations of fish. 

If you see, suspect or hear of any individuals illegally harvesting sports fish please contact your nearest Fish and Game Office as soon as possible.  It would help us greatly if you could note the following details:

• Where, when and at what time did the incident take place.
• The number and description of the people conducting the illegal harvest.
• The make, model, colour and registration of any vehicles used by the individuals, or just as importantly, details of any vehicles that were parked within the vicinity of the illegal harvest.
• A general description of the activities that took place.

Most anglers visiting New Zealand are licenced and abide by the rules and regulations that govern all sports fish anglers and are a welcome boost to the economy.  Members of the public do not have the right to demand to see a fishing licence nor are they equipped and trained to deal with individuals who are conducting illegal harvests.  Therefore please do not approach anyone personally, as this may result in the individuals being tipped off and therefore escaping prosecution, leave that to the law enforcement officers who are empowered to interview persons suspected of committing criminal acts and are trained to deal with suspected offenders appropriately.  Simply note as many of the above details as possible without drawing attention to your interest and report the matter to Fish and Game as soon as possible.  If you are unable to contact Fish and Game then inform the police that you suspect someone of commiting a crime and give them the details.

Individuals who overharvest or fish without a licence are depriving you, the licence holder, of the opportunity to fish for those forty or so fish that were left in a heap in their camp site.  Not only is this an act of theft but it also undermines the work carried out by dedicated Fish and Game staff in all regions to provide for a sustainable trout population for the enjoyment of current and future licence holders.

These are your fish, remain vigilant and do not turn a blind eye to anyone breaking the rules.  Report what you have seen or heard and help us to protect your regions fish stocks.

Taranaki Ringplain
North Taranaki streams received a couple of welcome but moderate freshes in February, but flows in all waters have been receding steadily and most are now at or near their average annual low flow.  Low flows and hot days means streams have been subject to considerable diurnal variation in water temperature.  For example, temperatures in Kapuni Stream at Normanby Road have been falling to about 17 degrees by 7-8am each morning and then peaking at around 24.5 degrees in the late afternoon (3-5pm), before slowly declining again.  While 17 degrees is quite comfortable for trout, 24 is stressful and anglers fishing the middle and lower reaches of streams are unlikely to find many fish out feeding in these conditions.  If fishing during the heat of the day, it will be best to target the upper reaches of streams where temperatures seldom exceed 20 degrees. This roughly corresponds to areas upstream of SH3 and Eltham Road.  For other areas, the mornings will still be best for angling and also the evening rise as temperatures begin to cool.

Summer low flows are a good time to spot trout holding in well-oxygenated riffles and pocket water and also cruising a beat in the pools and deeper runs.  Passion-vine hoppers are currently very abundant and a hopper imitation or a #16 Coch-y-bondhu drifted down foam lines or cast to sighted trout should be well received.  Cicada are still about in numbers and will also be worth a try.  Hare and copper type nymphs (#14-16) under a dry fly indicator will be a good rig for fishing riffles and pocket water in the upper reaches of streams.

Several experienced anglers have commented favourably on the number of well conditioned trout exceeding 2.25kg (5 lb) they have caught (and released) in ringplain streams and rivers this season.  There are some great fish out there, so make the most of the second to last month of the current main season.

Didymo
Anglers are reminded of the importance of checking, cleaning and drying any clothing, equipment, fishing gear etc. before moving between waterways to help prevent the spread of didymo.  While didymo has not yet been found in Taranaki, only a small number of waterways are tested and the only safe option is to adopt the view that the water you are currently in has didymo, but the next one you will visit does not.  Confining your fishing to one river per day and cleaning your gear afterwards is definitely the way to go.

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