Reel Life December 2024 - Hawke's Bay

As we said in our November Reel Life - we can’t remember when we last had a more settled start to a trout fishing season. The great river conditions have continued through into December; in fact, many of our rivers really need a good fresh to clear some of the weed and top them up now - some of the rivers particularly those in central Hawke,s Bay are very low and weedy.

The dry settled weather had been benefitting the fish and fishing, but we are at a point that we really need a good top in all the Central Hawke’s Bay rivers, otherwise the fish will start to suffer and areas affected by the potentially toxic algae Microcoleus (Benthic Cyanobacteria) may increase; reducing opportunity. We are hopeful that the forecast rain for the week of 16 – 22 December will improve both the water levels and reduce the toxic algae risk.

The Ngaruroro and Mohaka catchments which have benefitted from some high-country rain a few weeks ago are looking great but have still been generally low for this time of year- the trout caught are continuing to put on condition, with maiden fish in great condition and spawners continuing to recover well, even in high country areas. With not much rain and lower flows many high-country rivers have been getting a lot of angling attention and have been fishing well, although many anglers are now finding the fish are easily spooked; a quiet, gentle approach and spotting the fish before they spot you will help.

The Tukituki, Waipawa and their tributaries with reasonable water levels, continue to fish very well, but fishing can be challenging with the water being so clear, meaning a stealthy approach with fine leaders and size 14 flies and smaller working well.   

The Tukituki, Waipawa and their tributaries have had good mayfly rises, with some really impressive caddis rises on the warm evenings, and great nymph fishing during the days.  

Some anglers have found really high numbers of trout in Tukituki backwaters recently, where we believe, the fish are drawn to cooler spring water entering, groups of 20 or more big trout have been seen in some places. Large groups of trout like this make for exciting and challenging fishing in the clear still water; with so many eyes, its hard not to be spotting and once one spooks the chain reaction will often spook the rest. There have been some really impressive trout spotted, with 6- 7pound rainbows and browns estimated to be over the magic 10 pound mark seen in the Tukituki.  

Some of the Tukituki system access points have been closed lately – some due to post cyclone reparations, some due to farmers concern over gates being left open and the risk of their stock getting on the road by a small minority. We are working with property owners and HBRC to reopen some of these and we request anglers’ patience. One of the drive in access points has been permanently closed to the public, but Fish and Game HB now holds keys for licenced anglers to drive through; but only if it is safe, a large mob of bulls was in the paddock recently, so seeking an alternative access point would have been a logical choice!

The Hawke's Bay regional flyfishing champs were run by Sport Fly Fishing NZ on the Tukituki on the 14/15 December, with 171 trout landed, by 14 competitors. The longest trout measured was 60 cm, with 4 brown trout and 167 rainbows landed and many more hooked and lost, with low clear conditions really testing the anglers’ skills, whilst there were very high numbers of trout seen, the consensus was most competitors found them relatively challenging to hook and land.  

We are sorry to say, we have been advised of the following health warning for the Tukituki River and Esk river. The following is an abridged version, for further information please see the link below.

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora has issued a health warning for Tukituki River at Black Bridge and Walker Road.

The warning follows finding moderate to high cover of potentially toxic algae (Microcoleus *previously referred to as benthic cyanobacteria*) at both river locations following recreational water monitoring by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

People should avoid swimming in the area and animals, particularly dogs, should not be allowed near the water until the health warning has been lifted.

Dr Bridget Wilson, Medical Officer of Health for the National Public Health Service in Hawke’s Bay, says the algae looks like dark brown or black mats and can produce toxins harmful to people and animals.

“Exposure may cause skin rashes, nausea, stomach cramps, tingling and numbness around the mouth and fingertips.

“If you experience any of these symptoms, visit your doctor immediately, also let your doctor know if you’ve had contact with dark brown/black algal mats or water in this area,” Dr Wilson says.

“We would also like to remind the community that Esk River at Eskdale Park which was heavily impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle is not currently recommended for swimming.  Check LAWA before you head out to swim as it will give you the most up-to-date information on all the swimming spots in our region this summer,” Dr Wilson says.

Pets that show signs of illness after coming into contact with algal mats should be taken to a vet immediately.

For further details visit:https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/corporate-information/news-and-updates/health-warning-algal-bloom-in-tukituki-river-at-black-bridge-and-walker-road

here are the links to check water quality: https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/swimming

The Tutaekuri It’s been great to hear further reports of anglers catching and seeing a few fish in there lately – with a mix of juveniles seen and maiden fish and recovering spawners caught too, things are looking more positive for this catchment. Whilst the numbers haven’t been high, we are hopeful that given the chance to spawn, these fish will continue to repopulate this popular close to town river.   

The Mohaka - We have had some good reports from the Mohaka and its tributaries; the Ripia and Waipunga have been looking great lately and some nice trout caught.

With the predominately hot dry weather, the lower river levels have made crossing the river easier, opening up opportunities that would normally only be accessible later in the season. The Hawke's Bay Fish and Game team have cleared the track down to the river recently, that drops off the road between the Fish and Game Hut and Jock Sutton Road at Glenfalls, which will be helpful if the river is a bit full to cross or you need an alternative access point.

The Waipunga joins the Mohaka at Glenfalls, but the closest access is where it runs alongside the Napier/Taupo road below the falls, offering several access points; with the tight native bush along the sides and slippery boulders, it’s an interesting and challenging river to fish. If it’s a nice hot day “wet wading” with wading boots is a good option, the fish are predominately rainbows and tend to be explosive at times, leading the angler in a mad dash downstream that the fish often win; mayfly and stonefly nymphs and various terrestrial dry flies should work well from now on.

The Ngaruroro has provided good fishing, particularly in the mid reaches. With hot days and clear water lots of anglers have been in the upper sections, good wading boots and being prepared to get wet is a recommended approach in rivers like the upper Ngaruroro and Mohaka, these big powerful bouldery rivers are often very slippery, so great care is needed when crossing. With the mercury hitting 34 degrees recently and the danger associated with falling over in chest waders, wet wading is recommended.  

The mid sections of the Ngaruroro have been fishing well, with some great fishing to be had to trout holding on the drop offs into the pools, whilst the scenery isn’t quite as stunning as the headwaters, the more shingly riverbed makes for easier safer travel.

These rivers that rise in the western ranges have had some several spikes in flow recently due to heavy showers in the high- country - they tend to rise and fall quite quickly under such conditions. It’s a timely reminder that some of our bigger rivers, particularly the Ngaruroro and Mohaka may get significant rain in their headwaters from “westerly conditions” or from thunder showers, when we haven’t had rain down on the coast; checking the Regional Council river flows and keeping an eye on the Turangi forecast as well as the Hawke's Bay forecast may avoid the frustration and lessen the risk of getting caught out by a rapidly rising river.

Before heading out, remember to check the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council website for up-to-date flow levels in all Hawke's Bay Rivers. Visit lawa.org.nz for water quality readings.

The Kuripapango lakes - The larger Kurapapango lake is a great little lake fishery where most anglers enjoy a high catch rate; it has great scenery and offers a family outing around an hour’s drive from town, but don’t forget your sandfly repellent. With a high catch rate and relatively small trout size it would be great place to take a young angler.

Hawkeston Lake opened for fishing on 1 November and some fish have already been seen and caught- landowner permission is required.

Flyfishing Courses

Here at Hawke's Bay Fish and Game we have been running introductions to flyfishing courses, we just finished hosting two student flyfishing courses and a women’s flyfishing course. These courses are 6 sessions long, progressing from setting up a flyrod, tying leaders, fly casting and reading the water. We hope to run additional courses through the summer so keep an eye on our Facebook page to see what is coming up. https://www.facebook.com/HBFishandGame/

Know before you go

The favourable weather looks set to continue for our region for a while, so read the regulations and remember to carry your licence with you, because this season there is a better chance than ever, that you will get to meet the ranging team out on a river.

Click here to get your licence now! https://fishandgame.eslltd.co.nz/shop