Thumbs up for anglers

Anglers who turned out at first light this morning to fish renowned Rotorua trout streams that re-opened, have been given a big thumbs up by Fish & Game officers.

Anglers from as far afield as Wellington and Whangarei stalked streams, including the Ngongotaha and Waiteti, that open annually for summer fishing from December 1.

Fish & Game Officer Loyd Gledhill checks Whangarei visitor Jeff Hayward’s licence after he caught a well conditioned rainbow trout.

Fish & Game Officers ranged the waterways to check licences and chat with anglers.

Fish & Game Officer Anthony van Dorp says it was pleasing that by late morning, all the anglers they’d spoken to were “fully compliant” on rules including the need to carry a current fishing licence. 

Of the 30-plus anglers they encountered, many had caught rainbows in particular,  up to 2kg.

Mr van Dorp says large browns the area is known for were sighted but “too wily to be caught.”  

Karl Piatek targets a big brown trout in the Ngongotaha Stream.

Watch the video here