Fishing Reports

Mike Cotter June 18th 2008

Fishing at the traditional winter locations has slowed slightly and this could well be due to the very settled weather pattern that we are experiencing. Every body is hoping that we receive a significant amount of rain in the near future and that this will reactivate the fish activity for anglers. We also have another full moon later this month and this will also bring the fish into feeding mode in certain areas.

The signs that we have seen in the early part of this season all indicate we will be in for a cracker winter season. There has already been a number of fish over the 4.5 kg mark landed around the shores of Lake Rotoiti along with numerous very well conditioned trout under this magic mark being taken.

If you are going to spend some time on the Rotoiti shoreline it is a good idea to try fishing with a fast sinking fly line and a booby pattern fly. The trout at present are not in an active feeding mode so it is advisable to have a selection of sizes and colours in your fly box to enhance your chances.

Spawning is underway in both the Ngongotaha and Waiteti streams and good numbers of rainbows are present throughout the entire length of these two streams. Do not be surprised if you encounter some rather large browns that have also moved into these waterways recently. Sight fishing using a good pair of polaroid sunglasses can provide some exciting fishing on these small streams especially so of late as these streams are running very low. The Utahina stream also has a number of very visible trout lying in the deeper pools and once again sight fishing here is very worthwhile.

The flies that are working well at present reflect the spawning activity that is currently occurring and a variety of egg patterns are being quite effective. The soft chewball styled glo bugs and clusters are very popular and can be tied at home with very little fly tying experience needed. The colours are also quite varied with anglers having success with the standard champagne and fluorescent orange patterns as well as the more extreme chartreuse and white patterns.

Fishing at the Ohau Channel has slowed down and this area also appears to have been affected by the low water levels. Trolling out in front of the channel is still producing fish for anglers and some of these fish have been in prime condition. One of the more productive areas on Lake Rotorua at the moment is the southern end of Mokoia Island and the favoured harling flies are the Silver Dororthy and Green Orbit.