Fishing News index> February 2009

Trout Feast On Prolific Cicada Hatch In Wellington Region

The last month has provided some extreme weather conditions for the Wellington Fish and Game region. As expected the summer has provided plenty of sunshine and very little rainfall. With these conditions, the Cicadas have arrived by the thousands. There have been reports that when they are in full song, and in such abundance, the noise output from them is almost deafening!

Each year during this dry period, Wellington Fish and Game use this opportunity while the rivers are clear and stable to carry out our drift dive program. We have a list of approximately 38 rivers and streams that we dive in order to count the trout populations and get a general feel of what ‘state’ the rivers are in. Paying particular attention to rivers that have had excessive amounts of work done on them by those yellow creatures we call Bulldozers. Some of the rivers are dived on a yearly basis and some of the minor waterways are dived on a three year basis.

We have drift dived the majority of rivers in our region, and will be looking at previous year’s data to see what trends we can observe and what issues we need to address. In some cases the river needs more divers than others, and in the Wairarapa we had the assistance of some members from the local Angling group, Id like to say a big ‘Thanks’ to those who gave us assistance for that area.

As well as our drift dive program, we have recently released a set of six new access pamphlets for the region with another six in the process of development now. The six we have just released are; Mangatainoka, Pohangina, Waingawa, Waiohine, Rangatikei, and Waipoua Rivers.

To reinforce these pamphlets, in the next few weeks we will be putting up new signage across the region with the aim to provide more clarity when you arrive at a particular fishing spot. Below the normal Fish and Game access signs we will also have small numbered signs that correspond with the access number on the pamphlet. This will confirm to anglers that they are in the ‘right spot’.In most cases we will be in contact with the local angling clubs for advice and assistance in putting up these signs. 

 
Nic Cudby putting up a new access sign

Fishing Reports

The Manawatu River has continued its great form and still continues to reward anglers with well conditioned fish around the 3-5lb mark. Cicadas seem to be a popular item on the trout menu across the whole region.The Pohangina River has rewarded anglers with numerous fish between the 2-4lb mark and fish of around 5-6lb have been sighted. Fishing on the Rangitikei River has been great across its whole length and the trout here seem to be in outstanding condition. We recently made a trip into the headwaters to carry out some sampling on juvenile trout in the spawning streams that flow into the Rangitikei. The size and abundance of trout in the main stem was great to see, as too was the number of juvenile trout we observed. The photo below was taken of a stretch behind Army land, the pool shown was up to 15-20ft deep. Several spots on our trip were very much the same as the one shown below although surrounded by native bush. 
 

Rangitkei River, one of many pools located in the upper reaches that more than 10 feet in depth

The Ruamahanga River has also been fishing well in patches. Trout have been known to freely rise at most dry flies at any time during the day. Also nymphs that are fished just below the surface have been very successful. The Waiohine River has been good in its upper reaches where the water is deeper and water temperature is lower. Often trout have been observed sitting out in the faster flowing runs instead of the pools, possibly because the oxygen content is higher in these sections compared to the slower flowing pools. With very little water flowing down the Waingawa in its mid to lower reaches the trout have either moved up into the headwaters or dropped back into the Ruamahanga River.

The Waikanae River has been fishing well in the Kapiti Coast while the Ohau and Otaki have been moderate. Now is a good time to be fishing the headwaters of these rivers where the shade cover is a lot higher and with trees being the main surroundings, Cicadas are again a popular item of food for trout.

The Wainuiomata River has been the most productive in the Wellington area.  With the increase in water temperature the trout seem to be harder to locate. During our drift dive, the trout were mostly seen on the bottom hard in beneath a shelf or below some form of obstacle in the shade and in the coolest part of the river. The Hut River is yet to be drift dived yet we have had reports of fish of reasonable size being spotted yet very hard to approach. The large amount of water activity from the public has possibly influenced the ‘spookyness’ of trout in this river.

Website – River Level Update
If you’re near a computer try the Fish and Game website www.fishandgame.org.nz  and go to Wellington’s homepage and click on ‘river levels’ which is below the latest news section.

For up-to-date river levels and indication of ‘fishability’ go to website
http://www.fishandgame.org.nz/Site/Regions/Wellington/riverlevels.aspx

As we approach the tail end of summer, we may not be presented with those long periods we have recently had where the rivers are fishable. The odd shower of rain may start to sneak back in and upset things temporarily so when we do get the opportunity to fish, make the most of it. Our river line is a good way to see if certain rivers are fishable or not. Simply ring 0900 TROUT which is 0900 87688. It is updated as often as possible and may save you an hours drive. The same information is also provided on our website www.fishandgame.org.nz from the main page click on ‘Wellington Region’ and then click the River levels link. It will show you a list of rivers with a value beside them. This is the value that if exceeded by the water level – the fishing isn’t recommended.

Good luck to you all

Nic Cudby
Fish and Game Officer

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