Taranaki Reel Life November 2019

Rivers remain in good condition for angling

After a warm and settled early November, the westerly rains have returned and there have been regular freshes to maintain stream baseflows and ensure that for the most part, water temperatures remain in the 13-18 ^OC range preferred by trout.

Trout have been feeding well on the invertebrate drift, with condition factors improving rapidly and fly fishers have had good success sight-fishing with small weighted nymphs.

Right: An early season 2019 ringplain brown (photo Michael Bakker).

The evening rise has also been productive, as trout take advantage of mayfly and caddis hatches.

Terrestrials, such as brown beetle are also beginning to make an appearance.

Spin fishers have also been hooking into fish, particularly in the middle and lower reaches of streams.

Angling pressure remains light throughout the region and there are plenty of river and stream reaches where trout will not have seen an angler so far this season.

Book your kids in for the Stratford trout fishing day

The Stratford kids’ trout fishing day is this year being held on Saturday 14^th December.

The booking sheet is now at the Stratford Information Centre, so call in or give them a ring on 0800 765 6708.

Please note the start time of 8am, with the last time-slot at 12.45pm.

This event involves the release of 300 well-grown rainbow trout into the scout den pool in the Patea River within King Edward Park in the heart of Stratford.

Stratford Fishing Club member Brian Davies nets a rainbow trout for a successful angler at last year's event.

Children will be able to fish from with help from Stratford Fishing Club members and volunteers.

All fishing gear is supplied, although donations of worms for bait will be gratefully received.

The beauty of this release is that the trout remain in the vicinity for several months, providing great fishing for novice and expert anglers alike.

Lake Rotomanu and Opunake Lake well worth a fish

Following the kids’ trout fishing event held at Lake Rotomanu on 19 October there are around 250 rainbow trout still swimming in the lake and along with the perch population, they are providing good fishing for fly, spin and bait anglers.

Lake Rotomanu is located in New Plymouth near the Waiwhakaiho River mouth, with access via Clemow Road in Fitzroy.

Likewise, there are still good numbers of 2-year-old rainbow trout available in Opunake Lake following the release of 250 fish on 18 October.

There are plenty of good fishing sites located near the boat ramp and along the lake walkway.

Allen Stancliff, Taranaki Fish &Game Officer.