Got down to Turangi on Saturday after rugby. Fishing with me mate Steve, obligatory stops at Pokeno for huge ice cream and pork sausages.
Checked in at Creel fishing lodge and found we were right next door to Yoshi and Pete Scott from Rod and Reel. Very nice 2 bedroom units with a gate in the back fence leading onto the river, nice outdoor area and fish cleaning facilities.
After unpacking we slipped on the waders and went downstream to the Sportsmans pool. Fished the bypass for and hour and a couple of small but hard fighting fish. The river was in great condition - a nice dull green.
Early next working and down to the TT. River level up and bit and conditions good but no runs of fish in the river. Saw no fish and gave up around 9am. Plan was to unpack the portabote and get out to the Delta or Otamangakau. I got that sinking feeling when I realised that I had left the 12 split pins and 4 1/4 inch wingnuts that hold the portabote together in Auckland with my softbait kit. Serendipity smiled on us however as on the track back to the car there is an old electrical unit left rusting on the river bank - complete with 2 1/4 inch stainless nuts which were duely appropriated - what are the chances! Some excess number eight wire in place of the split pins and we were launching from the old wharf at Tokaanu.
We always fish the little puffs of current around the delta rather than the main flow. Sinking lines and long white marabou boobies. What a relaxing way to fish - with two beautiful 5 pound rainbows to the net and destined for the smoker. The afternoon sky started leaking at around 2pm and by four we had had enough and departed for the comforts of Creel and a large bottle of Laphroaig.
It poured all night and we packed up early and flipped over to the big O to take a look. It was absolutley bitter with a 5 knot breeze blowing into our teeth at the boat ramp and driving rain. Oh well - maybe next year.
Back to Turangi and northwards with a brief stop at the Hatepe to have a look at the Hinemaiaia mouth - which is flowing due north and along the beach at the moment. It needs somebody to punch a hole straight through the built up sandbank to get it flowing again.
Back to Auckland and a couple of lovely red fillets in the smoker - those delta fish are sure the best eating of any trout I've ever had.
Only real casualty of the weekend was my fishing hat - a 15 year old rod and gun one fly cap with lots of accumulated fishing mojo. It finally ripped through (lots of wear). Looks like I'm going to have to go in search of a replacement - something a bit more classic I'm, thinking......