Reel Life February 2025 - Taranaki

Taranaki ringplain

Following a very minor fresh on 18/19 February, stream flows are now back to their summer lows. The fresh was not sufficient to remove accumulated streambed algal growth, but the temporary increase in flow was certainly welcomed. With autumn approaching, late afternoon water temperatures are coming off their summer highs and the cooler nights of late has resulted in trout feeding more actively.

Cicada are still abundant and an imitation drifted down foam-lines, through pocket water or cast to feeding fish will be well received. Fishing the middle and upper reaches of streams will continue to be productive, and a small nymph drifted through pocket water under a bushy dry fly will also be worth a try. With the low flows, brown trout will also be spotted cruising a beat in the pools, backwaters and deeper runs and a strategically-placed dry fly might well lead to some exciting action.

Waimarino

January and February have brought some particularly warm and dry weather for the Waimarino region so far, with most rivers sitting right on their summer low flow levels.

Some rainfall arrived on the 22^nd of February which slightly elevated waterways, but this was short-lived with rivers already back down to their January and February averages.

There have been reports of the larger rivers, such as the Manganuioteao fishing well with great water clarity. Smaller streams such as the spring-fed Taonui may also be worth a look, but please obtain permission from the appropriate landowner.

This is a perfect time of year to cast dry fly imitations such as green beetle, cicada, and wasp to entice fish feeding from the surface. For those interested in getting out for a spin or bait fish, we have recently re-stocked Sattler’s Dam with some solid rainbow trout, with help from the Tongariro National Trout Centre hatchery and staff from Wellington Fish and Game.

Sattler’s Dam is located a 20-minute drive west of Raetihi along Pipiriki-Raetihi Road, then turning right into Mangaeturoa North Road, and offers a great spot to take the kids for their first fish. There are ample casting margins around the lake, and spinning or fishing with a worm suspended on a trace below a float has proven its worth here.