Fishing News index > March 2008

TARANAKI TROUT FISHING – MARCH/APRIL 2008

As I write this in mid-March nothing much has changed in Taranaki, the rains still have not arrived and all ringplain waterways are now exceptionally low (around their 10-year low flow).  The only positive is that with the cooler nights, water temperatures have decreased to more comfortable levels - for both man and fish! 

Despite the low flows, anglers will still find trout cruising their beats in the pools and deeper river runs or stationed in well-aerated riffles and pocket water.  There has been an abundance of delta-winged passion-vine hopper this year, which means that any fly resembling a hopper (even a #16 Coch-y-bondhu) has been well received. 

The lakes are still providing some success, with New Plymouth’s Lake Rotomanu starting to fire again for the spin-fisher now that a mechanical harvester has been through and reduced the amount of weed reaching the water surface.  Larger rivers in our region’s hinterland, such as the Manganuioteao near Raetihi, have fished well throughout the summer and they will continue to provide some excellent autumn angling. 

I hate to say it after such a long and glorious summer, but a change in the weather is needed to restore ringplain water flows and remove accumulated sediment and algal growth from the river gravels in preparation for trout spawning. 

Didymo
Please continue to check, clean and dry 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 the North Island, only a relatively 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….and treat your gear accordingly.

Allen Stancliff
Fish and Game Officer

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