Reel Life February 2023

The recent wild weather from Cyclone Gabrielle caused a lot of damage around the North Island.

Taranaki was lucky to miss out on the rain but not the wind.

The ringplain rivers had minor freshes on 14^th February but have now dropped back down to their median flows and are very fishable.

Something to be mindful of when fishing around the ringplain is trees either submerged, fallen or teetering on the banks from the 120+ km winds the cyclone brought.

In the Waimarino, the cyclone did cause significant freshes.

The Makotuku Stream at Raetihi peaked at 41 m³/s when it usually sits at 250-350 l/s this time of year.

The Mangawhero River at Pakihi Road Bridge also peaked at 41 m³/s, when it usually sits at around 3 m³/s or lower during the summer months.

However, flows in both rivers have now fallen to 0.5 m³/s and 3.8 m³/s respectively.

There is no flow recorder on the Manganui o Te ao but the Whanganui River flow recorders at Te Maire and Pipiriki indicate that the river is now also very fishable.

Cooler overnight temperatures also mean that water temperatures are now falling into the 13 – 17 ^OC range preferred by trout.

Above Right: Jack Ogden with a ringplain summer brown.

Cicadas galore

Trout have been gorging themselves on these large terrestrials for some time now, so it’s a perfect opportunity to use a Cicada imitation dry fly to target those hungry fish during the evening rise.

Even as I write this the Cicadas chirping outside the door, and the sound along the Te Henui walkway in New Plymouth is deafening in the evening.

The recent winds from Cyclone Gabrielle will have blown many into our rivers and lakes so fish will most likely be switched onto them by now.

Blow flies are also in abundance at the moment so they will be worth a try if you are looking to change things up.

Trout can’t resist the temptation of these protein-rich insects.

Tight Lines Jacob Morison, Taranaki Fish & Game.