Category: Reel Life
Keep up to date with all the freshwater fishing action, news, events and comment from across New Zealand by signing up to 'Reel Life' - the official monthly newsletter from Fish & Game New Zealand.
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Reel Life September 2023
While there is one fresh to go before opening day (likely on 24th September), the last four months have been drier than average and there were no damaging winter floods.
Reel Life March 2023
Already a month into autumn and it is definitely starting to feel like it some mornings.
Reel Life February 2023
The recent wild weather from Cyclone Gabrielle caused a lot of damage around the North Island.
Reel Life January 2023
Well, the rain has finally stopped, and all rivers are trending down towards their summer low flows.
Reel Life December 2022
While Taranaki has certainly had its share of rain, our rivers and streams have had only minor freshes since August, and they will be in great condition for angling over...
Reel Life November 2022
At the time of writing, the rain is falling, and the rivers are slowly rising.
Reel Life October 2022
Opening weekend was a bit of a washout in Taranaki, with dismal weather and the rivers coming up just enough to keep many anglers at home.
Reel Life September 2022
This year the new trout fishing season gets underway on Saturday, October 1st, meaning anglers have a full weekend to get back out on their local rivers and enjoy the...
Welcome to the first Reel Life issue of the 2022/23 fishing season
Your new season fishing licence will unlock the wonderful New Zealand rivers and lakes to you for a fishing season that is looking awesome.
Read more about 'Welcome to the first Reel Life issue of the 2022/23 fishing season'...
Reel Life April 2022
As we write this, there’s been nearly a month of low flows, although it’s looking like there will have been at least a minor fresh through the rivers by the...
Reel Life February 2022
While flows in Taranaki ringplain streams have held up well following a wet December, three weeks of fine sunny weather have meant flows are now receding towards their summer lows.
Reel Life January 2022
Recent freshes have cleared out accumulated streambed algae and restored base-flows in ringplain streams, setting them up well for fishing during the Christmas break.
Reel Life December 2021
Stream flows are now falling towards their summer lows, and nymphing to sighted brown and rainbow trout on their feeding lies is coming into its own.
Reel Life November 2021
Taranaki is currently experiencing typical spring weather, with frequent moderate freshes interspersed with short periods of low flow.
Reel Life October 2021
This year the new trout fishing season gets underway on a Friday, which means anglers have the opportunity to take a long weekend to get back out on the rivers...
Reel Life September 2021
The current spell of fine weather has meant that river flows have come down nicely and the reaches open to winter fishing provide an opportunity to stretch the legs, practise...
Reel Life April 2021
With moderate summer water temperatures, regular freshes and no damaging floods, Taranaki trout fisheries have come through the current season in good shape and all streams and rivers are in...
Reel Life March 2021
Fishing in late March and April can be some of the most productive of the season, with water temperatures falling and trout intent on feeding up large as they prepare...
Reel Life January 2021
Despite cooler conditions and some rain from 18-21 January, river flows have quickly returned to their summer lows and late afternoon water temperatures are once again reaching or exceeding 22OC...
Reel Life December 2020
With a constant stream of rain funnelling down from north Queensland to slam into Taranaki from 7 – 10 December there was concern there would be a major flood, but...
Reel Life November 2020
Recent freshes in central and south Taranaki ringplain streams in particular, have kept them in great condition for angling and with water temperatures still in the 15-18 OC range there...
Reel Life October 2020
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.
Reel Life September 2020
Taranaki Fish & Game staff are predicting a good start to the new fishing season when it gets underway on Thursday October 1, 2020.
Reel Life August 2020
The new fishing season is only five weekends away and your new season fishing licence will unlock the full fishing potential of New Zealand for you to explore.
Reel Life February 2020
River and stream flows have remained low in February with flows sitting just below the average annual low flow.
Taranaki Reel Life January 2020
All rivers and streams are at their summer low flow, which is providing anglers with a great opportunity to spot trout on their feeding lies in shallow riffles and pocket...
Taranaki Reel Life November 2019
After a warm and settled early November, the westerly rains have returned and there have been regular freshes to maintain stream baseflows and ensure that for the most part, water...
Taranaki Reel Life October 2019
A succession of westerly fronts have produced several minor freshes since opening day, but in between times ringplain streams have been very fishable and some good fish have been taken...
Taranaki Reel Life September 2019
Taranaki Fish & Game staff are tipping local trout streams to be in good condition when the new fishing season opens next week on Tuesday October 1, 2019.
Taranaki Reel Life August 2019
Regular freshes have kept base flows relatively high, but Taranaki ringplain rivers and streams are clearing very quickly after rain and the winter fishing reaches have been fishing well with...
Taranaki Reel Life April 2019
Three freshes in the last three weeks have cleared out the accumulated algal growth and sediment from streams and restored base flows - so that waterways are now in good...
Taranaki Reel Life March 2019
There’s been only a couple of very minor freshes since our last edition of Reel Life and flows have quickly dropped back to their summer lows.
Taranaki Reel Life February 2019
River and stream flows remained low in February and it’s now close to three months since the last significant fresh.
Taranaki Reel Life January 2019
It's been a windy old summer so far, but constant sea breezes interspersed with southerly gales and some cooler nights have meant water temperatures haven’t reached the extreme highs of...
Taranaki Reel Life December 2018
River and stream flows are now approaching their summer levels and conditions are definitely favouring the fly fisher as trout are now much more visible on their feeding lies.
Taranaki Reel Life November 2018
This time last season we were heading into a “big dry” with rising water temperatures and steadily declining river flows.
Taranaki Reel Life October 2018
Settled weather has left rivers running low and clear - after heavy rain and rising rivers marred Opening Day for anglers on the Taranaki ringplain.
Taranaki Reel Life September 2018
Taranaki Fish & Game staff are tipping local trout streams to be in good condition when the new fishing season opens on Monday October 1.
Taranaki Reel Life August 2018
While the region has generally had lots of rain this winter, it’s been regular and not as major flood flows, so Taranaki fisheries should all be in very good condition...
Reel Life May 2018
We’ve got a simple message as May rolls into June and the start of winter…there is still some terrific fishing out there!
Taranaki Reel Life April 2018
A return to westerly weather patterns after one of the warmest summers on record has seen regular freshes and much cooler temperatures in local rivers and streams – particularly following...
Taranaki Reel Life March 2018
With just a month of the main season left, now’s the time to make those last visits to waters that will close at the end of April for trout spawning.
Taranaki Reel Life February 2018
With late afternoon water temperatures in the lower reaches of streams reaching as high as 28.2C at the end of January, there was concern that widespread fish kills were about...
Taranaki Reel Life January 2018
As we head for the hottest January since records began, local anglers are still having good success by fishing in the morning before the heat of the day kicks in,...
Taranaki Reel Life December 2017
The current spell of warm, muggy weather means that the lower reaches of Taranaki ringplain streams are reaching 23 – 250C in mid-late afternoon...
Taranaki Reel Life November 2017
Since our last report the rain has stopped and river and stream flows are rapidly receding towards their summer levels.
Taranaki Reel Life October 2017
Anglers who got out early on Opening Day before the rain set in were rewarded with surprisingly good river conditions and some nice trout.
Taranaki Reel Life September 2017
Taranaki Fish & Game is tipping local trout streams to be in good condition when the new fishing season opens on Sunday October 1, 2017.
Taranaki Reel Life August 2017
Regular freshes and floods have kept base flows high, but ring plain rivers and streams are clearing very quickly after rain, and the winter fishing reaches have been fishing well...
Taranaki Reel Life May 2017
Two recent snow falls have lowered water temperatures toward their usual winter levels and the change in conditions will be encouraging adult trout to pair up and begin moving towards...
Taranaki Reel Life Apr 2017
Well, the last two weeks of the main season have been very settled here in Taranaki, with cool nights and then warm sunny afternoons - perfect for fishing.
Wellington Reel Life Mar 2017
Okay, the weather has been crazy, and at least in some rivers that normally fire the fish have been fickle...
Auckland / Waikato Reel Life Mar 2017
An ambitious tagging program has been started on the Whanganui River by Fish & Game councillor Nigel Juby.
Hawke's Bay Reel Life Mar 2017
After another hot dry summer, it was refreshing to get some decent rain in early March to give the rivers a flush out and add some volume to their flows.
Taranaki Reel Life Mar 2017
With only one significant fresh in the last month, Taranaki ringplain streams and rivers have been very fishable – and there’s even been a nice period of settled weather to...
Nelson Marlborough Reel Life Mar 2017
Trout flying bright green streamers were released into the Riuwaka River during a day long operation in mid-March.
West Coast Reel Life Mar 2017
Conditions have certainly come right recently, with great fishing available.
Both opportunities for salmon and trout fishing have been excellent this month, as the weather has settled down and the river flows have stabilised.
North Canterbury Reel Life Mar 2017
Late March and early April often brings settled weather to the Canterbury region.
Central South Island Reel Life Mar 2017
April is the last month of the ‘summer’ fishing season.
Read more about 'Central South Island Reel Life Mar 2017'...
Southland Reel Life Mar 2017
Finally, in a clear patch of weather Southland staff were able to get out and undertake drift diving surveys as part of their annual trout monitoring program.
Northland Reel Life Mar 2017
Autumn has arrived – with the mornings noticeably cooler and some heavy dews happening.
Eastern Reel Life Mar 2017
Autumn has rolled around quickly and seasonal changes are evident in the Eastern Fish & Game region.
North Canterbury Reel Life FEB 2017
High hopes for March fishing
Nelson / Marlborough Reel Life FEB 2017
'exhilarating' cicada season in full swing
Read more about 'Nelson / Marlborough Reel Life FEB 2017'...
Northland Reel Life Feb 2017
With warm temperatures and a “medium adverse event” declared in Northland, water levels have been getting very low.
Taranaki Reel Life Feb 2017
At last...after a long period of westerly conditions bringing cool winds and lots of rain, we've finally enjoyed some settled summer weather in Taranaki, not a moment too soon!
Eastern Reel Life Feb 2017
Lake Rotoiti has been one of the top performers so far this summer, serving up some “solid” catches.
Auckland / Waikato Reel Life Feb 2017
The weather has been less than ideal recently but the heat has brought out the cicadas – and the trout that feed on them.
Northland Reel Life Jan 2017
We hope everyone has had a good summer break...or are still enjoying your holidays.
Eastern Reel Life Jan 2017
Lake Rotorua’s shoreline fishery has been slow to get underway this summer due to cooler and windier than normal conditions.
Central South Island Reel Life JAN 2017
It has been a fickle summer weather-wise, with welcome small but regular rainfall events occurring across the region.
Read more about 'Central South Island Reel Life JAN 2017'...
West Coast Reel Life Jan 2017
Large numbers of hunters turned out in the West Coast Region for Opening Weekend this year, both local hunters and many from other regions.
Nelson/Marlborough Reel Life JAN 2017
The Taylor River fishery is in good shape after a 50 medium to large brown trout were released before Christmas.
Wellington Reel Life Jan 2017
Spring and now 'summer' continue to be a real mixed bag when it comes to weather and fishing prospects.
Taranaki Reel Life Jan 2017
Regular freshes, persistent westerly winds and even an early dump of snow have conspired to provide great conditions for the trout, but not so flash for the anglers.
Hawke’s Bay Reel Life Jan 2017
December and early January have seen many of the rivers running low and clear as we progress through the hot summer months here in the Hawke’s Bay.
Auckland / Waikato Reel Life Jan 2017
Fish & Game staff were recently on the Whakapapa and Whanganui Rivers monitoring water quality and witnessed some amazing hatches in the late evening, and heard cicada sounding off all day.
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