Eastern Reel Life January 2018

'Best fish' caught on Lake Rotoiti

Unseasonal cool blustery conditions have dominated the Rotorua lakes scene in recent weeks resulting in decreasing surface temperatures.

The summer season looked set to get underway early in December when surface temps reached a near record 25C, driving fish in search of cooler water and forming an early and shallow thermocline on deeper lakes.

Since then, cooling conditions have slowed shoreline fishing at Lake Rotorua’s stream mouths forcing anglers to work a little harder for results.

Deeper lakes Tarawera, Rotoiti, Okataina and Rotoma which normally improve as a deep thermocline forms, have all shown signs of promise with the cold water band beginning about 15m deep.

Okataina in particular has fished quite well and Rotoiti continues to produce the best fish of the region.

Top right: Checking out an Okataina jigging beauty.

If February weather improves, expect deeper fishing methods such as downriggers and jigging to pay dividends with shallow trolling methods working for the first hour or two after dawn.

Anglers learn secrets of success

 More than 60 anglers attended our boat fishing tuition morning at Lake Tarawera early in the new year.

 Everyone provided favorable feedback on the event, which taught basic boat fishing techniques and provided an insight into the trout’s life cycle, its food, along with boning and hot smoking tips to finish off; an “awesome presentation” was one of the comments.

Left: Mark Sherburn pulls a tasty trout from the smoker.

 One lucky anglers won a Kilwell stainless hot smoker cooker just for coming along and lucky draw Tassie Devil lures were given out as spot prizes!

Right: No shortage of taste testers...

 Eastern news tippets

•  Brown trout continue to dominate the Ngongotaha runs during January although they are proving hard to catch as always!
• Summer anglers are reminded of the need to ‘check, clean, dry’ tackle and equipment used in all waterways especially wading boots, boat trailers, etc.
• Been out fishing? We are keen to hear about trips and see photos you snapped of your  experiences. Email: msoborne@fishandgame.org.nz  

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