Fishing News index > January 2007

TARANAKI TROUT FISHING – JANUARY 2007

Allen Stancliff, Fish and Game Officer

A couple of minor freshes so far in January have helped to maintain stream flows and provide good conditions for summer angling. Spin fishing in the larger rivers has been productive so far this season, with the smaller (7g or less) tobies, veltecs and rapalas taking fish. Bait fishing with a creeper or worm suspended under a bubble float has been another effective method for junior and novice anglers this season and this technique can be used in all Taranaki waters except Kaiauai Stream, the Stony River and the section of Kapuni Stream upstream from Skeet Road Bridge (all restricted to fly and spin fishing only) and Lake Mangamahoe (fly fishing only with fly rod, fly reel and artificial fly).

For the fly-fisher, green beetle, sedge, black gnat and blowfly type imitations in sizes 14-16 drifted down foam lines or cast up into riffle areas have been producing good trout. Cicada are also starting to make an appearance and cicada imitations in sizes 6-14 should increase in effectiveness over the next few weeks. With trout now beginning to congregate in the well-oxygenated riffles and faster water as water temperatures rise toward 20 0C, the use of #14-16 weighted nymphs, such as tungsten bead-head pheasant tail or hare and copper should also be productive. A bushy dry fly indicator with a small nymph on a dropper tied to the bend of the hook is a good way to fish riffles and bouldery runs.

The summer low flow period is a good time to fish the Waingongoro River, the ringplain’s most productive trout fishery. The river supports a good population of brown and rainbow trout up to 2kg and is open to fly, spin and bait fishing, with a daily bag limit of 4 trout per angler in the river downstream of Eltham Road and two trout upstream. The Waingongoro is a clear mountain stream in its upper reaches, but below Eltham it takes on a tannin stain and adopts an extensive meander pattern that produces many deep pools and runs. Since 1979, the middle reaches have been stocked annually with around 4,000 rainbow trout yearlings from the Hawera hatchery, which has transformed the fishery from one based entirely on brown trout, to one where rainbows make up 70% of the catch. For novice anglers, a fly, creeper or worm suspended under a bubble float will often bring success. Spinners, such as black and gold tobys, z-spinners, veltics and rapalas are also effective, even during low flow periods. Nymph fishing with un-beaded or gold-bead hare and copper, pheasant tail and halfback nymphs in sizes 12 to 16 is also popular while dry fly fishing with brown and green beetle and caddis can produce exciting fishing to rising fish. A pamphlet giving details of 24 access points to the Waingongoro River is available from licence agents and Fish & Game offices or by emailing fgtar@clear.net.nz

Other ringplain rivers that have been fishing well include the Patea, which runs down through the heart of Stratford. The section from Cardiff to Toko supports an abundant population of resident brown trout up to 2kg, plus two-year-old hatchery rainbows left over from the early December kid’s fishing event at the Stratford Scout Den pool. The Manganui River north of Stratford and the Waiwhakaiho River near New Plymouth are others that have fished well this season, producing excellent brown trout up to 2.5kg. Unfortunately, the Stony River at Okato is still recovering from a succession of erosion events in its Pyramid Stream headwater tributary and while the Stony is currently running clear, there are few trout present.

Many of the smaller ringplain streams are still holding good fish, particularly in meandering sections, which contain more of the pool habitat preferred by large trout. A Taranaki road map showing the various rivers and streams, or the 1:50,000 Taranaki Topomaps, will be useful for pinpointing productive habitat round the mountain. There is also Fish & Game NZ’s free pamphlet on the Taranaki ringplain trout fishery. Please remember that there are few “Queen’s chain” areas along ringplain streams in rural areas and anglers should obtain permission from the appropriate landholder. Farmers seldom refuse access when asked.

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 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.

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.

Allen Stancliff
Fish and Game Officer