Reel Life March 2023

The wettest summer on record in Northland has played havoc with the trout fishing as fishable water has been difficult to come by.

The prolonged and heavy rainfall has seen all streams carrying high sediment loads for much of the summer season.

Even the water supply reservoirs like Whau Valley and Wilsons Dam have been unfishable due to dirty water for periods of time due to the sediment coming in from the feeder streams.

From a glass-half-full perspective, the high water levels have meant that trout have been able to remain well up in the headwater catchments.

Now that the La Nina weather patterns have passed the trout are feeding with gusto as the rivers drop and the water clears.

Fishing spinners and lures into the pools of the streams can result in aggressive and visual strikes.

Rapalas and veltics as always are consistent producers.

Trout have been noted sitting high in the water column and taking readily off the surface as well which should make for some great opportunities to present dry flies.

Reasonable numbers of fingerlings from the spawning season just passed have also been seen, indicating that the floodwaters of the cyclones haven’t flushed them out of the systems.

Some of the streams are still unfishable but will be clearing through the coming weeks – a great chance to get out, explore some new water and engage with some hungry fish.

Tight Lines

Craig Deal, Northland Fish & Game Manager