Fishing News index> July 2008

Around and About

As expected the fishing improved (lakes and reservoirs) during June with the finger biting southerly blasts straight off the Desert road drastically dropping the water temperatures around the region.

 Anglers who annually target fish on open waters always welcome the colder weather. Colder water allows fish to haunt shallower margins where they can be sight fished or enticed during daylight hours. Often the majority of fish taken are pre to mid spawners that are attempting to find suitable shallow water habitat into which they can spawn. As very little inflowing water is available to most northland reservoirs and lakes these fish are mating in vane and often-male trout or local native species such as eels and bullies will consume the layed eggs. A bonus for these put and take fisheries at this time of the year is you know that fish landed are in prime condition and are as good as they can be for eating.
Reports from all waters have been excellent with good-sized specimens being the norm rather than the exception. Pre July fishing at the Kai-Iwi Lakes has been outstanding with fish up to 2.5kg taking fly gear from the shores. Boat fishermen have also been on a roll with good consistent trips and regular bags limits.

Overall this sort of activity should continue through into August/September when water temperature will start to reverse.
Opinions are varied but it is a definite theory that higher lake levels this year, especially on Lake Taharoa have aided in boosting Native Inanga numbers that have definitely helped with this seasons trout diets. Stomach examinations on creel surveys have revealed this activity so anglers can only hope that this situation continues to occur.
 
 Kai- Iwi Lakes Annual Trout Fishing Competition.

This year’s tournament was a great success with anglers once again supporting this Northland Fish & Game run event.

The weekend turned on reasonable weather considering past events and anglers did exceptionally well with their catch numbers. A full range of age class fish were landed and weighed with the average running at approximately 1.5kg.

Both the young and old, new and experienced turned up despite less anglers than normal which Fish & Game is attributing to the rising cost of fuel.

 The angler to fish ratio was outstanding with the majority of those attending landing fish and even some who were releasing over and above their limits for both days.

Excellent prizes were up for grabs and most contestants went away with something. Judging by the smiles at the Sunday prize giving this tournament will continue to grow and remain popular and will provide anglers with a fishery that will produce some of the best eating fish in the country.

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