Eastern Reel Life October 2019

The traditional season opening on the Rotorua lakes didn’t disappoint for hundreds of keen fishers who braved the conditions.

In fact, the forecast was much worse than the actual weather here in Rotorua, which perhaps kept some anglers at home – or even worse, at work!

Those that did make it out were rewarded with good fish from lakes Rotoiti, Tarawera and Okataina all producing larger fish than the previous opening.

Right: Anglers head out onto Lake Tarawera at opening.

Of the three lakes, Lake Rotoiti stood-out as the best performer.

The two year-old hatchery released rainbows averaged 1.70kg and measured 510mm. Lake Tarawera has shown a much needed performance boost with the two year-old fish averaging 1.45kg and 500mm.

Lake Okataina, which always produces some good trout didn’t disappoint either with an average of 1.65kg and 507mm.

Typical spring weather has dominated the scene since the beginning of October however when the wind settles enough to venture out the fishing has been challenging.

Smelt appear abundant at most locations either as large spawning adults or small juvenile specimens that have hatched this spring.

Cooler water surface temperatures (13-14 degrees C) have the trout spread throughout the water column for the time and this tends to make targeting fish a tough task!

Spring is a great time to fish the smaller lakes like Okaro and Rerewhakaaitu because the lakes remain cool.

Fishing weed edges with damselfly imitations slung under an indicator or drifting a small ‘bait fish’ pattern on a spinning rod and bubble float is a great way to pick-up cruising rainbows.

Lake Rotorua, one of the region’s most prolific fish producers, fishes well in spring especially to shallow trolling.

A tassie and smelt fly off a spinning rod or a single colour of lead line in about 2m of water will usually result in fish.

Early indications are that the lake’s fish are in much improved condition too this season.

Kayak fishing for trout tuition

We will be holding a kayak fishing for trout tuition at our offices in Paradise Valley Rd, Ngongotaha on Saturday 30^th of November from 1.00 pm with kayak expert Rob Fort.

Watch our web page or contact Mark Sherburn msherburn@fishandgame.org.nz for more details.

The event will have limited seating so pre-booking will be essential.

Note also, this was previously advertised for the 23^rd however has now been postponed one week to the 30^th.

Fish for Gold results

Our Fish for Gold promotion for the Rotorua lakes attracted almost 700 entrants.

Two of the specially tagged trout were landed during the event but unfortunately neither won one of the major prizes.

Hawkes Bay anglers David Hartree and Barry Jones both picked up consolation prizes valued at $200.

Our thanks to sponsors Kilwell, Outdoorsman Headquarters and Telfer Marine all of Rotorua.

Tight Lines

Mark Sherburn, Eastern Fish & Game