Fishing News index > June 2008

TARANAKI REGION TROUT FISHING: JUNE 2008

Taranaki Ringplain

Winter is traditionally a quiet time for trout fishing on the Taranaki ringplain, as most waters are closed for the trout spawning season. But fishing is still available in a number of local lakes and the lower reaches of a selection of coastal rivers and streams.

One of the most productive winter fisheries is Lake Ratapiko, a 21-hectare hydro reservoir located 9 km along Tariki Road off SH3, mid-way between Inglewood and Stratford. Lake Ratapiko contains hatchery rainbow trout up to 2.7 kg, with wild browns up to 2 kg and perch up to 1.5kg also present. Spin and bait fishing methods are popular, although wet-fly fishing will also take fish. Trout cruising the lake edge can also be targeted with damselfly, waterboatman or snail imitations. The lake margins adjacent to Tariki Road can be reached via the water ski and powerboat access points. Permission to fish other parts of the lake margin should be sought from the local landowners.

Lake Mangamahoe is another productive fishery located on SH3 between New Plymouth and Inglewood. The lake is fly-fishing only with fly rod, fly reel and fly line and the use of size 8 -12 Rabbit, Red Setter or Hamill’s killer type wet flies, or small waterboatman or snail imitations can produce good conditioned brown and rainbow trout up to 2kg. Booby-type flies fished on a short trace and sinking line can also be productive. Please note that the lake inlet is closed to winter fishing

For New Plymouth anglers, the Waiwhakaiho River can be fished from the sea up to the end of the gravel track originating at the right-hand end of Rimu Stream. This provides 4km of fishable water with easy access and some large pools. Mainly brown trout are present, with the occasional rainbow and it’s a good place to spend and hour or two fishing without having to travel out of the city.

Lying next to the Taranaki Kart Club track at the end of Joll Street, Waitara, Lake Ngangana provides fishing for medium-sized rainbow trout in scenic surroundings. There is a walking track round the lake giving access to a number of fishing sites and there is always a sheltered spot out of the wind. The adjacent Waitara River downstream from the Manganui river confluence is also open during winter and spin fishing on an incoming tide or when the river clears during low flow periods can produce good brown trout up to 2kg. Waitara River access is best from Mamaku Road on the western side of the river.

Opunake Lake can be reached by a short walk down a track on the Opunake side of the Surf Highway 45 Bridge, or via Domett or Layard Streets in Opunake. The lake provides some good fishing for brown and rainbow trout, as does the adjacent Waiaua River downstream of the weir. The lower reaches of several coastal ringplain rivers, including the Kaupokonui and Waingongoro, are also open to winter season angling below the Surf Highway 45 bridges.

Although the Patea River below Patea dam carries a high sediment load following rainfall, excellent conditioned brown trout up to trophy size are present and the river is well worth a visit during low flow periods. The lower Patea is reached via Ball Road, which runs off SH3 just north of Kakaramea. There is plenty of fishable water between McColl’s bridge and the dam face.

Wanganui

For Wanganui anglers, Lake Namunamu located 14km west of Hunterville on the Turakina Valley Road is well worth a visit. The 13-hectare lake is sheltered from the wind and is stocked with rainbow trout that grow to around 2kg. A couple of dinghies are provided, but anglers must ensure they bring their own life jackets. Most fish are caught by harling a wetfly (Hamills Killer, Woolly Bugger, Parsons Glory) on a sinking line. Park by the access sign and take the farm track.

From 10^th July, Lakes Wiritoa and Pauri are open for fishing. Lake Wiritoa contains both rainbow trout and perch, with popular fishing spots located at the water ski clubrooms and Scoutland’s Beach. Lake Pauri contains a good population of perch, a white-fleshed good eating species that can grow to 2kg.

Waimarino

The Manganuioteao mainstem (excluding tributaries) downstream of the Orautoha Stream confluence is open to winter season angling and the use of a Tongariro-style two-nymph rig incorporating #14-16 hare and copper or halfback type nymphs should bring success. Access is via Ohura Road (turn left 4km north of Raetihi) and Ruatiti Road. A free camping area is available at Ruatiti domain (take plenty of warm gear) and a large sign at the domain gives details of which landowner to ask for access.

The Mangawhero River (excluding tributaries) downstream of the SH49 “golf course” Bridge is also open during winter with the reach upstream and downstream of the Pakihi Road Bridge worth a look on a fine winter’s day. As for the Manganuioteao River, please obtain permission from the landholders and avoid disturbing stock.

Out near Karioi, the Tokiahuru and Waitaiki Streams are open downstream of the SH49 Bridges. These spring-fed streams remain fishable when other waters are dirty from rain and they contain high-density populations of small rainbow trout, with a few larger brown and rainbow trout also present. The Tokiahuru is a fast flowing stream and care must be taken when crossing. The lower Tokiahuru can be accessed from Whangaehu Valley Road or Oruakukuru Road.

Didymo

The invasive exotic alga, Didymospenia, continues to spread in the South Island and the greater the number of waterways that are affected, the greater the risk that Didymo will inadvertently be transported to and become established in the North Island.

As Didymo is a microscopic organism, it could take as little as one drop of infected water or damp equipment to introduce it to another waterway. The only option is to treat every river as potentially infected and meticulously sterilise your fishing gear – rods, reels, lines, lures, waders, boats, float tubes and any other items that have been wet – before using them in another river. Please leave your felt-soled waders or wading boots at home as they are difficult to treat and have been identified as a high-risk vector for the transfer of didymo. This is a personal responsibility issue and everyone needs to practice good river hygiene at all times. Please help spread the message to all river users.

What you should do to prevent the spread of Didymo

· Treat each river you use as having Didymo but take the view that the next river does not have it.

· Preferably only go to one river per day.

· Don’t use felt-soled waders or wading boots.

· Do not go to any other river unless you and your equipment have been decontaminated.

Use the following procedure to sterilise all non-absorbent equipment:

1. First, Inspect: remove any visible algae clumps and leave them at the river; if found later treat as below, dry and put in the rubbish - don’t dispose down the drain.

2. Clean: Soak and scrub gear for at least one minute in either hot water (60◦C+); or a 2% solution of household bleach (200ml per 10 litres); or a 5% solution of salt, nappy cleaner, antiseptic hand cleaner or dishwashing liquid (500ml per 10 litres).

3. Dry: Dry equipment for at least 48 hours AFTER it is completely dry.

Responsible anglers carry a 2 or 5 litre pressure sprayer in their vehicles containing a 2% solution of Janola or a 5% solution of detergent to soak their gear with after leaving the river.

TARANAKI REGION WINTER SEASON ANGLING

Angler Access

The Taranaki Fish and Game Council continue to foster relationships with a number of regional stakeholders and to develop new or continued access to fisheries on behalf of all license holders. We are fortunate that most landowners and managers, many of whom are anglers themselves, are happy to see anglers making the most of one of this region’s best resources and will go out of their way to make fisheries accessible to anglers. However, the continued goodwill and cooperation of landowner and managers should not be taken either lightly, nor for granted, and landowners and managers are as keen to know who is accessing their land and when as we would be if someone wanted to access our property.

We are all aware that farming can be a hazardous occupation and there are a number of health and safety issues that landowners and their representatives are legally required to actively manage. If they are unaware that someone is on his or her property then they cannot ensure the safety of that person and they could well be unwittingly placing themselves and others at risk.

It is the responsibility of all individual anglers to ensure they have received permission by landowners or managers if they want to cross private land prior to crossing it. As stated, anglers in the Taranaki Region currently enjoy a wide degree of access in most cases respect the wishes of said landowners or managers. On occasion only restricted or conditional access has been granted for a number of reasons. Occasionally access has been denied and this normally comes with a sound explanation and has been restricted to a specific number of paddocks or only has been for a limited period. Anglers who ignore or disregard the wishes of landowners and managers may not only place themselves, others or stock at risk, they undermine the good standing of all anglers and place at jeopardy future access.

To date within this region we have had only a few instances whereby anglers have been reported to have caused problems and we have found that good manners and courtesy goes a considerable way to prevent any discord. This year’s drought has affected a number of areas and none more so than the agricultural and farming industries. This Council would ask anglers to ensure that they do not contribute to what has already been a tough year for farmers. The thoughtless actions of a few individuals, such as leaving gates open, parking in front of access points or disturbing stock at a critical time in the farming calendar, could have serious consequences for owner/managers and as a result see goodwill and access eroded.

If you do not have permission to access land, do not cross it, if you are unsure seek clarification or do not cross it, use only the access points directed by Fish and Game access pamphlets and as directed by land owners and managers. Always close gates directly after entering them and park where you are directed or take others into consideration when parking your vehicle.

Taranaki Fish and Game will continue to seek additional and improved access on your behalf but would ask that you work alongside us with landowners and managers and ensure angling has a minimal impact on rural business. Let’s not be the ones who permanently close the gate on our continued access.

Tight lines!

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