'Reel Life' Newsletter
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Reel Life April 2023
This time of year normally sees gradual changes occurring in fish behaviour and conditions. However, shorter, cooler days in April have prompted a rapid change with early season runs, surface...
Reel Life March 2023
Cooler mornings have indicated the start of autumn, and while few of us are actually looking forward to the cold of winter, it is a time when trout are in...
Reel Life February 2023
While we make every effort to focus the content of our monthly Reel Life on positive opportunities around the region, it’s impossible to ignore the difficulties faced currently on the...
Reel Life January 2023
The weather has finally started to play ball here in parts of the Eastern Region, and despite another batch of wet stuff after New Year, anglers have been able to...
Reel Life December 2022
Arggh – the weather! Rain by the Olympic swimming pool load has been testing everyone’s tolerance, especially those wanting to fish the streams and rivers of the region.
Reel Life November 2022
Classic spring weather in the Eastern region has dominated the scene for several weeks with waves of heavy rainfall.
Reel Life September 2022
With the new season just around the corner, anglers are keenly anticipating Saturday 1st October at 5.00 am!
Welcome to the first Reel Life issue of the 2022/23 fishing season
Your new season fishing licence will unlock the wonderful New Zealand rivers and lakes to you for a fishing season that is looking awesome.
Read more about 'Welcome to the first Reel Life issue of the 2022/23 fishing season'...
Reel Life April 2022
As I write this, long overdue rain in the Bay of Plenty is fair lashing the roof.
Reel Life March 2022
Showery rain during the second week of February and cooler overnight temperatures have cooled the surface of local lakes slightly but the stream mouth fishing remains excellent.
Reel Life February 2022
Summer heat is improving success rates for anglers fishing Lake Rotorua’s stream mouths.
Reel Life January 2022
Last month we reported stable lake surface water temperatures around 15 or 16 degrees Celsius.
Reel Life December 2021
Classic spring weather has dominated the last few weeks of fishing in the Eastern Region.
Reel Life November 2021
Opening day 2021 was, yet again, a fantastic time on lakes Rotoiti, Tarawera and Okataina, with the weather playing a role in making it one to remember.
Reel Life October 2021
With the new trout fishing season just around the corner, anglers all around the country are busy preparing for a big day out.
Reel Life September 2021
I think we can all agree, the countries excursion back into Covid lockdown tested our patience and sanity!
Reel Life April 2021
April and May signify the start of the winter spawning season for trout in the Eastern Fish & Game region.
Reel Life March 2021
Autumn seasonal change has brought about the need for anglers to adjust tactics to remain successful.
Reel Life February 2021
As I write this welcome rain is falling in the region, refreshing and rejuvenating rivers and streams and reducing the surface temperatures on our lakes a little.
Reel Life January 2021
The effects of summer’s high temperatures are being felt around the region, producing predictable, quality trout fishing at many locations.
Reel Life December 2020
Warm, breezy conditions have hit the region (as predicted by NIWA) and this is already affecting fish behavior.
Reel Life November 2020
Lake Rotorua’s big browns are on the move into the tributary streams as spring conditions begin to warm the lake.
Reel Life October 2020
Fish & Game staff spoke to around 650 anglers fishing the Rotorua lakes on the opening day of the trout fishing season (1 October 2020).
Reel Life September 2020
The new season is now just around the corner and anticipation for opening day in the Eastern Region is building.
Reel Life August 2020
The new fishing season is only five weekends away and your new season fishing licence will unlock the full fishing potential of New Zealand for you to explore.
Reel Life February 2020
Scorching temperatures and almost no rain for two months have seen conditions in the Eastern region again be dominated by the weather.
Eastern Reel Life January 2020
Last month I wrote about the weather being decidedly ‘spring-like’ and making assumptions that things would get back to normal soon.
Eastern Reel Life December 2019
Although we are technically in summer, we’ve had a full range of ‘spring-like’ weather patterns here in the Eastern Fish & Game region over the last couple of weeks.
Eastern Reel Life November 2019
Conditions are proving to be ideal for river anglers in the Eastern Fish & Game region currently with moderate flows and warming temperatures putting fish into a feeding mood.
Eastern Reel Life October 2019
The traditional season opening on the Rotorua lakes didn’t disappoint for hundreds of keen fishers who braved the conditions.
Eastern Reel Life September 2019
The new season opening is now just days away, anglers are being reminded that a little preparation and planning goes a long way toward the day being enjoyable and hassle free.
Eastern Reel Life August 2019
As we await the beginning of spring, and the new trout season commencing at the beginning of October, there are a number of locations still open that can provide excellent fishing.
Eastern Reel Life April 2019
Although weather and temperatures remain mild, spawning fish are on the move around Rotorua lakes.
Eastern Reel Life March 2019
Cooler temperatures and the start of autumn conditions have finally prevailed in the central North Island, providing relief to the stressful conditions trout have endured.
Eastern Reel Life February 2019
Although some rain has finally arrived in the Eastern Region, the last month and a half has been dominated by some of the hottest and driest weather we can remember.
Eastern Reel Life January 2019
An extended period of fine hot weather has seen an influx of trout into the stream mouths of Lake Rotorua.
Eastern Reel Life December 2018
Changeable conditions over the last month, including some heavy rains and cooler periods, have slowed the lakes’ natural summer warming.
Eastern Reel Life November 2018
Relatively warm, dry conditions as we head into summer have local lakes warming up and surface smelting activity on the increase.
Eastern Reel Life October 2018
The grand opening on October 1 at lakes Rotoiti, Okataina and Tarawera went off with the usual fanfare.
Eastern Reel Life September 2018
The region’s anglers are looking forward to the opening on October 1 with a keen air of expectation.
Eastern Reel Life August 2018
Signs of seasonal change are evident around the region and we are hoping for warmer, drier weather as the new season nears.
Reel Life May 2018
We’ve got a simple message as May rolls into June and the start of winter…there is still some terrific fishing out there!
Eastern Reel Life April 2018
As mentioned last month, pre-spawning trout are in prime condition at this time of year.
Eastern Reel Life March 2018
Autumn's in the air here in the central North Island and there are lots of trout fishing opportunities for anglers to make the most of.
Eastern Reel Life February 2018
Rotorua stream mouth fishing has produced some promising periods with excellent catch rates at times, but anglers have needed to move between locations to make the most of sometimes fickle conditions.
Eastern Reel Life January 2018
Unseasonal cool blustery conditions have dominated the Rotorua lakes scene in recent weeks resulting in decreasing surface temperatures.
Eastern Reel Life December 2017
It’s amazing how much difference a month can make to conditions, and the effects on the trout fishing here at the Rotorua lakes.
Eastern Reel Life November 2017
For many, the beginning of December defines the start of summer, and for keen trout fishers its a time when early season trips are made.
Eastern Reel Life October 2017
The Ruakituri River that rises in Te Urewera National Park has been living up to its reputation for some world class fishing.
Eastern Reel Life September 2017
If you’re reading this on or just after October 1, Rotorua’s terrific trophy lakes are open and fishable again.
Eastern Reel Life August 2017
Seasonal changes are upon us and we can finally hope for some warmer and drier weather a little more conducive to trout fishing pursuits!
Eastern Reel Life May 2017
We reported the effects of Ngongotaha flood damage in last month’s Reel life; the stream continues to run with color every time we have rain however the fish are in...
Eastern Reel Life Apr 2017
Cooler weather conditions have kicked in very suddenly in the central North Island with overnight temperatures getting down to just three degrees this week.
Wellington Reel Life Mar 2017
Okay, the weather has been crazy, and at least in some rivers that normally fire the fish have been fickle...
Auckland / Waikato Reel Life Mar 2017
An ambitious tagging program has been started on the Whanganui River by Fish & Game councillor Nigel Juby.
Hawke's Bay Reel Life Mar 2017
After another hot dry summer, it was refreshing to get some decent rain in early March to give the rivers a flush out and add some volume to their flows.
Taranaki Reel Life Mar 2017
With only one significant fresh in the last month, Taranaki ringplain streams and rivers have been very fishable – and there’s even been a nice period of settled weather to...
Nelson Marlborough Reel Life Mar 2017
Trout flying bright green streamers were released into the Riuwaka River during a day long operation in mid-March.
West Coast Reel Life Mar 2017
Conditions have certainly come right recently, with great fishing available.
Both opportunities for salmon and trout fishing have been excellent this month, as the weather has settled down and the river flows have stabilised.
North Canterbury Reel Life Mar 2017
Late March and early April often brings settled weather to the Canterbury region.
Southland Reel Life Mar 2017
Finally, in a clear patch of weather Southland staff were able to get out and undertake drift diving surveys as part of their annual trout monitoring program.
Central South Island Reel Life Mar 2017
April is the last month of the ‘summer’ fishing season.
Read more about 'Central South Island Reel Life Mar 2017'...
Northland Reel Life Mar 2017
Autumn has arrived – with the mornings noticeably cooler and some heavy dews happening.
Eastern Reel Life Mar 2017
Autumn has rolled around quickly and seasonal changes are evident in the Eastern Fish & Game region.
Southland Reel Life FEB 2017
In this month’s Reel Life article, field officer Cohen Stewart interviews retired fishing guide and honorary ranger Len Prentice to find out how the average angler can make their fishing...
West Coast Reel Life FEB 2017
Over the past week and a half, weather conditions have improved significantly on the West Coast, with a period of excellent settled weather.
North Canterbury Reel Life FEB 2017
High hopes for March fishing
Nelson / Marlborough Reel Life FEB 2017
'exhilarating' cicada season in full swing
Read more about 'Nelson / Marlborough Reel Life FEB 2017'...
Northland Reel Life Feb 2017
With warm temperatures and a “medium adverse event” declared in Northland, water levels have been getting very low.
Taranaki Reel Life Feb 2017
At last...after a long period of westerly conditions bringing cool winds and lots of rain, we've finally enjoyed some settled summer weather in Taranaki, not a moment too soon!
Hawke’s Bay Reel Life Feb 2017
With February air temperatures peaking at 33OC at the airport, it was nice to receive some decent rain in the middle of the month to give the rivers a good...
Eastern Reel Life Feb 2017
Lake Rotoiti has been one of the top performers so far this summer, serving up some “solid” catches.
Auckland / Waikato Reel Life Feb 2017
The weather has been less than ideal recently but the heat has brought out the cicadas – and the trout that feed on them.
Southland Reel Life JAN 2017
As mentioned in previous Reel Life articles, there have been isolated increases in mouse populations in some parts of Southland.
North Canterbury Reel Life Jan 2017
As I write this report, the East Coast rivers in Canterbury have peaked in flood, with flows higher than seen for some time.
Northland Reel Life Jan 2017
We hope everyone has had a good summer break...or are still enjoying your holidays.
Eastern Reel Life Jan 2017
Lake Rotorua’s shoreline fishery has been slow to get underway this summer due to cooler and windier than normal conditions.
Otago Reel Life JAN 2017
It’s fair to say that the summer holiday period has been severely interrupted by some abysmal weather over the past month and leading up to the New Year.
Central South Island Reel Life JAN 2017
It has been a fickle summer weather-wise, with welcome small but regular rainfall events occurring across the region.
Read more about 'Central South Island Reel Life JAN 2017'...
West Coast Reel Life Jan 2017
Large numbers of hunters turned out in the West Coast Region for Opening Weekend this year, both local hunters and many from other regions.
Nelson/Marlborough Reel Life JAN 2017
The Taylor River fishery is in good shape after a 50 medium to large brown trout were released before Christmas.
Wellington Reel Life Jan 2017
Spring and now 'summer' continue to be a real mixed bag when it comes to weather and fishing prospects.
Taranaki Reel Life Jan 2017
Regular freshes, persistent westerly winds and even an early dump of snow have conspired to provide great conditions for the trout, but not so flash for the anglers.
Hawke’s Bay Reel Life Jan 2017
December and early January have seen many of the rivers running low and clear as we progress through the hot summer months here in the Hawke’s Bay.
New Blog Post
Fish & Game staff were recently on the Whakapapa and Whanganui Rivers monitoring water quality and witnessed some amazing hatches in the late evening, and heard cicada sounding off all day.
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