Northland Reel Life March 2018

Autumn tips for Northland

The leaves are changing and we’ve had some cooler autumn mornings.

Right: Well-named Easter Bunny streamer.

And water temperatures are starting to come back to normal levels in our river catchments.

Once again we’ve managed to escape the full force of ex tropical cyclones visiting New Zealand. It still pays to keep an eye on the latest weather forecasts and river flow information when river fishing in Northland as conditions can change quickly.

With Easter holidays coming up why not get the kids out and work up an appetite for the Easter egg hunt. Children under 12 don’t require a licence and we have very well priced junior licences starting from $5. Getting them started with a spinner set up and a black toby might be just the ticket to get them involved in the sport and enjoying the great outdoors over the break. There is a guide on our website and pamphlets available at the office.

Check out whether your child needs a licence here

At this time of the year, fish in the forested upper catchments and get out in the cooler mornings to have more chance of success. Places to test your flies in are the Waiotu River and Kaimamaku stream. Further north the Victoria River is another good spot. Give Dad’s favourite, the dry fly, a test on these stretches.

Try to tempt a wily trout with the aptly named streamer, Easter Bunny, in the middle and lower reaches of the Wairua River.

Whau Valley update

The dam is now closed to fishing and public access after the logging operation had been delayed due to adverse weather.

It is anticipated that anglers and public access will be allowed on the week beginning April 23.

However this is highly weather dependent and subject to change. Watch this space for news of when the Dam will reopen to anglers. For more information about the logging operation please contact the Whangarei District Council on 09-430 4200.

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