Reel Life October 2020
- Taranaki
- 20/10/2020
- Richie Cosgrove
Rivers in top condition for early season fishing
While the rivers were still falling from a fresh on opening day, they were nonetheless very fishable and many anglers tasted success, with fly, spin and bait fishing all taking fish.
Members of the Inglewood Rod, Gun and Recreation Club were no exception, with some good fish caught and released and three nice trout (two browns and a rainbow) presented at the club’s weigh-in on Sunday evening of the first weekend.
Above Right: Inglewood Rod Gun & Recreation Club members Scott Hale (left) Dylan Moratti and Billy Moratti with their trout from the first weekend of the new fishing season.
Scott Hale with his rainbow trout.
Another decent fresh on 12th October has maintained all waters in great condition for early season fishing and while some of the older adult trout are still recovering from the rigours of spawning, there are plenty of bright, well-conditioned fish available.
Lake Rotomanu Family Trout Fishing day – Saturday 31st October
Grab your fishing gear and bring your kids along to New Plymouth’s Lake Rotomanu to fish for 400 two-year-old rainbow trout that have been released into the lake.
The event runs from 8am to 1pm on 31st October and the lake will be closed to powered watercraft so that anglers can have exclusive use.
Participants should register at the marquee tent set up near the boat ramp and volunteers from the Inglewood Rod, Gun & Recreation Club and staff from Taranaki Hunting & Fishing will assist with gear set-up, lures and bait, if required.
There will also be a limited number of freshwater spin fishing sets available for purchase at a cost of $30.
Following registration and set-up, anglers and their families can distribute themselves at suitable sites round the lake to have a fish. Volunteers will also be circulating to provide advice and assistance where needed. If you can spare some time to help out, please phone Allen on 0272639152.
A nice 2020 early season ringplain rainbow (photo Michael Bakker).
Angler diary scheme
Taranaki Fish & Game is again running an angler diary scheme to collect information on river and lake fisheries in the region.
Anglers who are keen to participate can contact Fish & Game at Taranaki@fishandgame.org.nz and we can email you an xl spreadsheet or a hard-copy diary.
Lower Patea River trout release
Fish & Game is also keen to get feedback from anglers fishing the Patea River downstream of Patea Dam.
Over the last four years there have been significant releases of tagged yearling brown and rainbow trout into the lower river, along with a March 2020 release of larger rainbows with an adipose fin-clip.
An early morning session at the Patea Dam tailrace
If you catch any of these fish, please record the details and let us know – a photo or two would be great!
There is 14km of fishable water in the lower Patea between McColl’s Bridge and Patea dam and anglers can park on the roadside away from gates to fish.
Power generation results in fluctuating flows below the dam, so check them out on the TRC’s website via this link.
Best fishing is when flows are in the range 5 – 30 cumecs.
The power station tailrace is also a popular and productive location.
Tight Lines
Allen Stancliff, Taranaki Fish & Game Officer