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Fishing News index > March 2009
Taranaki Ringplain
Conditions are looking good for the last month of the trout fishing main season, with water temperatures falling into the 13-17 degree range most preferred by trout and passion-vine hoppers and other terrestrial food sources such as grass hoppers and crickets still present in abundance. Following a significant flood on 21st February (Figure 1) which cleared out much of the summer build-up of streambed algal growth, there have been only minor freshes in ringplain streams and a moderate covering of algae has returned. Streams are currently at about their median flow level in north Taranaki and between median and mean annual low flow in south Taranaki.
FIGURE 1. Following a significant flood in late February (4-5 year return period), there have been only modest freshes in ringplain streams.
The abundance of passion-vine hopper in particular, means that trout will are still actively feeding from the surface under foam lines in pools and in the deeper runs. A #14-16 Coch-y-bondhu or similar should bring success, but there are a number of flies that can be used to represent the passion-vine hopper, which is sometimes called the “lacemoth”. Below are a few links to these and other flies that should prove useful in the Taranaki region.
http://www.flylife.com.au/library/articles/46lacemoth/FL46Lacemoth.pdf
http://www.flyshop.co.nz/coch_y_bondhu.htm
http://www.flyshop.co.nz/page/F/CTGY/wellington
http://www.nzfishing.com/Lures/FliesAndLures/Lacewing.htm
http://superfly.co.nz/patterns/index.htm
If no rising trout can be spotted, a #14-16 hare and copper, halfback, sandy-cased or even green caddis nymph will be worth a try in the runs, riffles and pocket water. Trout can often be well camouflaged against riverbed algae and “blind fishing” of likely looking water in riffles and runs can be productive.
As April progresses, brown trout will also begin moving upstream on freshes and pairing up. The Manganui River system provides a good example of this, with trout from as far afield as the lower Waitara River moving into the Manganui mainstem and into tributaries such as the lower Ngatoro and Maketawa. These fish can often be seen cruising in pairs in the pools and occasionally taking food items from the drift, so take a few minutes to scan likely looking water before casting. Spin fishing can be productive in the larger waters, as trout begin to get into spawning mode and the jacks become more aggressive to “intruders”.
So, if you haven’t been out fishing as much as you would like this season, April provides a good excuse to get back out there and enjoy some time on the water.
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. 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. Free 1L didymo spray bottles and information packs are available from Taranaki ringplain licence agents.
Waimarino/Wanganui
Anglers in the Waimarino report to have had a challenging season and again it would appear that Manganuioteao River was the main fishery visited by the majority of anglers. The river levels have permitted good access along the river and with luck the weather will continue to be helpful and provide some productive fishing days for the remaining season. Nymphs seem to have been the most successful method used on the river with reports that spinning has recently resulted in very good work out but for a return of very few fish. As the season draws to a close on parts of this very popular fishery it is pleasing to report that we have had no issues so far with regards to access to the resource and most anglers have been able to enjoy almost unfettered access to most of the river having contacted landowners in advance and being mindful of both stock and gates.
The end of April will see a number of the regions fisheries and river sections closed to anglers, within the Waimarino district the upper Retaruke River upstream from Oio Road Bridge, the Mangawhero River upstream of the SH49 “golf course” Bridge and tributaries of the Manganuioteao River, including Waimarino, Orautoha and Ruatiti streams will all be closed. The Manganuioteao mainstream remains open until 30th June, as does the Tokiahuru/Waitaiki and anglers are reminded that the Mangawerho River downstream of the SH49 “golf course” Bridge remains open all year.
Anglers can continue to pursue sports fish at Lahar Lake, Lake Wiritoa, Lake Namunamu and within the main stretches of the Whanganui River which continue to produce some big browns and reasonable sized rainbow trout that have travelled down from its tributaries.
A 3lb rainbow trout has been caught off the Upokongaro Jetty just up the river from Wanganui City lending weight to anecdotal reports of trout being caught close to the city itself. A number of Kahawai anglers report hooking into fish they believed to have been trout on a number of occasions within the city centre but none were successfully landed and confirmed. If you have caught any trout within the city area or know of someone who has then please let the Wanganui Office of Taranaki Fish & Game know as we would be particularly interested to find out where and when it was caught and on what bait. Thanks.
Spinning with black and gold Tobies and Gypsies has continued to take both trout and perch in Lake Wiritoa which, despite some weed growth around the lake, is proving to be an increasingly popular fishing spot. Early mornings and evening seem to be the best time to visit the lake and anglers seem to have most takes then, however both species will be tempted by a well presented lure. If you have any favourite perch or trout recipes you want to share please let the Wanganui Office know and we will put them on the Taranaki Fish & Game web pages.
For further information on fishing spots open after the end of April please refer to your regulation guide and don’t forget, if you are moving between waterways you should always Check, Clean, Dry.
Virginia Lake – Closed Water
At the February meeting of the Taranaki Fish & Game Council it was decided that Virginia Lake would be listed as a closed water for sports fishing (trout and perch only) as of the 1st of October 2009.
Virginia Lake was for a long time stocked with rainbow trout and was the venue of the Wanganui Kids Fishing Day. After a number of incidents where birds became entangled in anglers lines it was decided to move the venue to Lake Wiritoa, which is also a stocked trout fishery, and in recent years the Kids Fish Out Days have been run there by the Wanganui Freshwater Anglers Club and Eides Sports.
The decision to close the water to sports fish anglers now is based on the welfare of the waterfowl population at the lake which has increased significantly. The routine feeding of the birds by the general public has led to changes in the natural behaviour pattern of the wild birds and they now associate the presence of humans and items hitting the water as a sign that food is available for them.
This behaviour pattern only increases the potential for birds to become entangled in fishing lines and being injured by hooks and so it was decided at the meeting that the welfare of the birds outweighed the viability of the lake as a sports fishery should be closed.
There will be a great many Wanganui anglers who caught their first fish in Virginia Lake and who have since gone on to catch perhaps bigger and harder fighting fish elsewhere. It is regrettable that this fishery will be closed, while it may well be the close of an era for some this is not the thin end of the wedge for sports fishing in Wanganui. Lake Wiritoa offers Wanganui residents and visitors an excellent alternative and the beach at Scoutlands provides a shallow and family friendly area in which to introduce your kids to sports fishing. The provision of BBQ’s, toilets, plenty of parking, a fishing spot 10 minutes from town but away from any main road all goes to make Wiritoa a fantastic place to take the family. Relax, wind down, cast a few lines with the kids and bring in that large trout or perch for a feed.
Should you require further information regarding Virginia Lake please contact the Wanganui Office of Taranaki Fish & Game (06) 345 4908.
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