Fishing Reports

Catch rates certainly have improved over the past week in most of the traditional fishing spots. Hamurana is producing fish on a regular basis, though many of the larger rainbows are very slim on it. The browns hanging around the mouth are in great condition and are being caught from time to time. Black nymphs, size 10 olive woolly buggers and Hamils killers are taking fish when retrieved at a very slow speed. It also pays to wait for 30 seconds or so before starting the retrieve after casting as the fish there are quite spooky. Spin fishing has also been successful with the ‘brown trout’ rapala and some of the smaller turbo lures catching fish.

The Awahou has also produced both brown and rainbows, though they are not at the mouth in any great number. Early morning or late at night seems to be the best time. As there seems to be a general lack of smelt in the lake and it shows in the gut content, which is made up of mostly ‘bullies’. Trolling off the mouth has been good for some, though it varies from day to day.

Crowds of anglers are thrashing the water to foam at the mouth of the Waiteti Stream and this is tending to push the fish there up river fairly quickly or out into deeper water. Some of the pools in the middle reaches are holding good numbers of fish, though they are becoming quite spooky as well.

The Ngongotaha has fished well since it cleared after the rain of last weekend. There are some awesome brown trout being caught as well as rainbows, the majority of which are in great condition as well. Egg patterns and natural imitations are catching fish. Watch for an evening rise at the mouth as it can be both spectacular and frustrating. Small lumos and flies such as the craigs night time have taken fish there.

Downrigging at 30 metres, in 50 metres of water, off Vercoe’s through to Otaramarae, has been very successful for some over the past weekend. Once the lure is in the thermocline it is relatively easy to catch fish according to a few anglers. The wind has been more favourable for those into jigging over the past week as well and fish have been caught at Vercoe’s, Westbank and Eastern end of the lake. A few fish are holding off the mouth of the Wai iti and around Emery’s Reef as both have colder water than the lake.

Above Lake Aniwhenua, the Rangitaiki has produced hard fighting rainbows to the nymph/floating line and a slow sinking line, coupled with a size 10 olive woolly bugger, cast across and allowed to swing. The strike is often hard, even with fish around the one to two kilo mark. Dragonflies, damsels, waterboatman and even cicadas are being fed upon by trout, particularly in the lower to middle reaches so imitations of these insects should be in your tackle box for when needed.

Unfortunately this will be the last fishing report prepared by Bert Robinson. We would like to express our sincere thanks for the reports he has done to date and wish him well in his future ventures. We will endevour to continue this service as soon as possible.

Cheers Doug and Malcolm.

Prepared by Bert Robinson for
Okeefes Fishing Specialists
1113 Eruera Street
Rotorua
07 346 0178
www.okeefesfishingspecialists.co.nz