Anyone interested in a Strip-Strike get-together at Waipu River on Tuesday afternoon / evening (Dec 23) ? I need to pick up a daughter at Whangarei on Wednesday morning so I thought it might be a good chance to have a pre-Xmas get-together on the Tuesday evening before.
The forecast is for light easterlies, low swell, and an outside chance of a shower. Waipu River is not a sensational fly fishing spot, but it can have good runs of kahawai, plenty of parore and flounder, and a wild-card chance of a kingfish. Last time Wolfie and I fished the high tide in the river - total catch - one two kilo kahawai.
It is however a 'half-way' salt fly destination for everyone from Auckland north. Around an hour and forty five from the Bridge probably. The tide is low at 3pm and rising through to full at 9pm. We could have a bit of a late lunch gathering in the car park then hit the river.
I have never fished the river on this early incoming tide before, and the river changes constantly, so all fishing will be a bit of a mystery. There is a knee deep wade to get to the other side of the estuary that will turn into a swim by the time you return. I will be taking a bogey board to float my fishing pack on for the return journey. The plan is to fish the incoming edge of the tide out at the mouth, then get back to the breakwater as the river fills (that's when we will have to wade up to our armpits across a safe part of the estuary). Other late starters may just want to fish the breakwater only.
Needless to say it is not a place to leave valuables in cars and since there should be some of us coming and going all evening I think we can watch over each others cars.
Other point to note is that it is an important wildlife sanctuary. Take note of fenced off areas, take a torch with you, and watch where you put your feet. A track through the dunes to the beach is fairly well marked.
So who's keen?