Taranaki Reel Life October 2018

Rivers in great condition for angling

Settled weather has left rivers running low and clear - after heavy rain and rising rivers marred Opening Day for anglers on the Taranaki ringplain.

Above right: Carlos Cardoso do Vale shows off his first Waingongoro River brown trout of the new season.

Fly fishers using weighted nymphs have reported good fishing, although as expected, some of the larger browns are still to fully recover their condition after spawning.

Angling pressure has so far been light throughout the region and with good river conditions and hatches of mayfly, stonefly and caddis now occurring it’s a great time to get out and do some fishing.

A ringplain coloburiscus mayfly (Photo Curly McEwen).

Take a kid trout fishing

There are still places available for the Lake Ngangana kids’ fish-out day on Saturday October 27 at New Plymouth.

The event is being run by the Inglewood Rod, Gun & Recreation Club in conjunction with Fish & Game NZ and children will be able to fish for 250 good-sized rainbow trout.

All fishing gear will be supplied, but to reduce waiting times, anglers are asked to book a 15 minute time-slot by visiting or phoning the Taranaki Hunting & Fishing store in Ocean View Parade, Moturoa (06 757 2255).

Following the event there will be good fishing from both the Joll Street and Waipapa Road ends of the lake, although at Waipapa Road please park away from the gate.

Kids fishing at Lake Ngangana.

There is no organised kids’ fish-out day at Opunake Lake this year, but a release of 250 two year-old rainbows is still planned and the lake will fish well once the trout have had a few days to settle.

The Opunake power scheme has not been operating since June 1, and the lake is being held at its maximum (full) level, which means there is plenty of good quality habitat available.

Fishing sites include the boat ramp area off Layard Street, along the walkway off Park Place / Macaulay Terrace and from Aytoun Street.

Lake Ratapiko (Tariki) has received several releases of rainbow trout grown at Fish & Game’s Hawera trout hatchery, and with brown trout and good-sized perch also present, the lake will be a good place to take your kids for a fish.

Lakes Rotomanu (New Plymouth) along with other lakes such as Wiritoa and Kohata near Whanganui, also contain good populations of perch, a white-fleshed good-eating species that are easy for kids to catch with a spin or bait fishing rig.

Check, clean & dry!

Please check, clean and dry any clothing, equipment and fishing gear before moving between waterways to help prevent the spread of didymo, lake snow and other freshwater pests.

Didymo hasn’t been found in the Taranaki Fish & Game Region but not all catchments are tested so the only safe option is to act as if the water you are fishing in has didymo, but the next one you’ll visit, does not.

For more information click here

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