Reel Life - Janaury 2017
There's good news and bad news on the freshwater fishing front.
The good news of course is that the cooler, rainier and unseasonal weather has been kind to trout in both islands. The bad news of course is that these conditions make frustrating angling but things can only get better.
And there are plenty of positives! Some of the "best angling and best fish for many years” has come from Canterbury high country lakes this season.
Salmon are being caught on the Hurunui river and also further south at Lake Hawea and the upper Clutha River, and some sea-run salmon have already been landed at the West Coast's Lake Mapourika (West Coast runs usually happen later in the season).
In the central North Island, there are stories of "multiple trout gulping flies off the surface” from the Whakapapa and Whanganui rivers in the late evening.
Lake Rotorua fish are in "solid” condition, possibly the best shape for around a decade, according to one F&G staffer.
And our staff tell of "plenty of fat trout” in Taranaki streams, when you brave the rugged weather.
P.S. - This month's cover pic shows Bert Berger from Belgium with a lovely brown from the South Island's Lake Heron – on his 9th trip to NZ!
P.P.S - If you think you've got a freshwater fishing image worthy of featuring on our 'cover', email it to Richard Cosgrove for consideration.