Fishing News index> October 2008

GOOD START TO THE FISHING SEASON IN BETWEEN THE RAIN EVENTS

EARLY SEASON UPDATE AND PROSPECTS FOR WELLINGTON REGION

The fishing in the Wellington region has been influenced largely by weather patterns. As with most areas it has experienced somewhat persistent rainfall which has caused the rivers to flow above the preferred fishing level for a majority of the time. However in between these unwanted rainfall events there have been several fish caught and many more sighted.

The Wainuiomata River has been productive with fish of reasonable size being caught. Also the Hutt River has showed its potential on many occasions when the weather has been marvelous and fishing conditions can’t get much better, with reasonable numbers of fish being sighted in the Akatarawa and Pakuratahi streams it seems the trout are still making their way back down from spawning into the main stem. With the whitebait around popular locations are down near the river mouth with the harbour where anything white and flashy that imitates a whitebait or smelt can be very successful. 

Same goes for the Kapiti Coast area. The Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau have had good numbers of trout spotted in pools along the length of each river, including the lower reaches near the mouth. However fishing conditions have been moderate due to sporadic rainfall – although on the plus side these freshes normally attract whitebait return to the rivers. Trout have been seen feeding on whitebait in groups which is a very rare event, but good to know there are trout present. As summer approaches good conditions will become more frequent and the anglers success rates will also be more consistent.

In the Wairarapa the fishing has been fair. In the past fishing has been of similar standard at this time of the season, although the consistently high water levels could be having some influence on the numbers of trout present. The method of imitating whitebait is becoming more popular in those lower reaches where this may apply. In the remote sections of most headwaters good sized trout have been seen so hopefully as the weather warms up they slowly drop back into the main stem of the Ruamahanga. Large trout have even been spotted from a helicopter in these remote areas. 

In the Palmerston North  area, the Manawatu River has spent the majority of its time holding a water level that exceeds that which is fishable although on the odd time that it has dropped, several fish have been caught. Near the bottom of the Rangitikei white baiters have reported that during their days fishing, trout have been spotted jumping out in the deeper sections of the river, presumably chasing the whitebait as well. Higher up in the Rangitikei and Hautapu rivers trout have been caught and fishing has been productive.

CHECK OUT THE RIVER LEVELS BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME
0900 TROUT
Fish & Game Website

Check out our website (www.fishandgame.org.nz) and go the ‘Wellington’ region and click on the ‘fishing’ link. From here you can view what level that particular river is running at. Beside most river names is a value for which the river is considered fishable when the stage level is at or below this value. For those rivers that don’t have a value yet, we are in the process of updating that data.

Also if you don’t have access to our website, we have a 0900 TROUT (0900 87688) information line which gives you an updated recording of what rivers are fishable and those that aren’t – calls 80cents + GST per minute.

A series of access pamphlets and signage will be available shortly which we aim will assist you in reaching fishing spots where there is doubt as to your location.

Contact the Wellington Fish & Game office (06) 359 0409 for our excellent access pamphlets on these rivers.

PAHIATUA TROUT FISHING CARNIVAL
LABOUR WEEKEND EVENT
25 October – 1 November 2008

If you’re at a loose end for the upcoming Labour Weekend consider going to the Pahiatua Trout Fishing Carnival.  It’s not super competitive – and it’s a lot of fun - it’s a chance for like minded anglers to get together and fish some of the local waters near Pahiatua – Manawatu River and its tributaries – Mangahao, Mangatainoka, Makakahi, Tiraumea and Makuri rivers.
There are plenty of spot prizes ------ and Fish & Game also gets some data from these waters on trout statistics and abundance.

You must register by 4pm Friday 24th October – so don’t delay.
Ring Katie or Phil Harris 06 376 8445 or Phil Bennett 06 376 6278 for further information or simply register at the Pahiatua Information Centre, Main St, Pahiatua by 4pm on Friday -  DON’T DELAY
Registration fee $10 Adult; $5 Junior or Child

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