Fishing Reports

The following is info from Michael Lynch, one of the organizers of the Lower Waikato Trout Fishing Competition. This looks like a great event and should be great fun for all involved.

Kilwell Lower Waikato River Trout Fishing Contest 2011

To past and future entrants in our contest,

The Lower Waikato River trout contest will be held for the 3rd year running, from Monday 10th to Sunday 16^th October 2011 (first week of school holidays).

Last year’s contest (also run in October) was a resounding success, with 53 entrants weighing in a total of 76trout. This was a 60 % increase in entrants over the previous year, and we expect a similar increase this year.

Predominantly a spinning/trolling area, terminal tackle in order of success last year were spinners, soft baits, worm baits and flies. Top weight brown trout last year was 3.224 kg, best condition factor 56.43. (These figures rival many other trout contests run in New Zealand). Eleven Rainbows were caught out of the total 76 trout, all from Cambridge area and above.

We have had an excellent response from Kilwell NZ as a major sponsor this year, and they will have naming rights on the competition. Firstly here is a brief summary of the 2011 competition.

The area of the contest is again the main Waikato River only from below Karapiro Dam to the Waikato Heads.

We have two main divisions in prizes with entry fees remaining at last year’s very reasonable prices- Adults 18+ $25 entry and Juniors 17 years and under $8 entry, (the split was 29 adults and 24 juniors last year). We are also introducing both 4 person teams ($20 entry) and a ladies section this year. See the entry form for information on the prizes and how the team section will operate.

The contest is placed strategically again in the best month for sea run trout, also in the school holidays and after the opening fishing season weekend, but still early in the season. All results and sponsors are thoroughly promoted both at the prize giving and after the event in news releases.

Trout guru Bert Robinson from Rotorua is a strong supporter, and helps address our contestants at the free Trout Workshop/briefing we will run before the event at Ngaruawahia RSA on Saturday afternoon 8th October.

This year’s themes are trout cuisine with chef Mike Geelen showing us some new cooking techniques, and a crash course in soft baits as the emerging tackle of choice.

The weigh stations are again at Sweetman’s Reel Fishin’ Huntly during working hours Monday to Saturday, and Taupiri Tavern for a longer evening period from 7-9pm. This year we are also fortunate to have Fish City in Hamilton as a weigh station, they will operate from Monday to the Saturday for the Hamilton and Cambridge areas, helping to save petrol costs.

The final weigh time is mid-day on Sunday the 16th, with all fish on that day being weighed at Taupiri Tavern, the hosts for the prize giving at 3pm. (This is slightly earlier than last year to allow for rugby followers to leave in time for Eden Park). Between 12 and 3 there will be a free barbecue, games of skill and a chance to recount your week’s fishing…

This year we have increased the prizes, thanks to tremendous sponsorship, to a retail value of over $5,000 in fishing tackle packages & vouchers, and here is a snapshot of prize choices we have up for grabs-

Spinning rod/reel combos (2-4 kg) which will be fully set up

Saltwater or fly rod combos

Smokers & landing nets

Fishing vests & life jackets

Hats & Polaroid glasses

Tackle boxes with spinners, softbaits, flies etc

Magazine subscriptions & fresh or saltwater fishing books

Spot prizes of various small fishing tackle items- nylon, lures, tackle boxes etc

With the contest starting in October, don’t forget you’ll need a new season’s fishing license (12 months) starting October 1st 2011. Children under 12 are free, Juniors 12-17 yrs are $23, Adults season $116. 24 hour licenses are also available, Adults $23,  Juniors only $7. Family licenses are great value, allowing 2 adults and up to 5 children or grandchildren (under 18) to fish for $151.

Order online or follow the link below for a list of local license agents, Mahon’s Resene Colourshop is the agent for Huntly.

http://www.fishandgame.org.nz/Site/Regions/Auckland/fishingShops.aspx

Posters and flyer entry forms are at the printers right now, and will be distributed throughout the Waikato next week.

Print off the attached entry form/information sheet to register at Sweetman’s Reel Fishin’, (Freephone 0800 80-80-81) entry forms are also available online soon.

www.reel-fishin.com www.huntly.co.nz/events

Follow us on Facebook- www.troutfishingcomp.blogspot.com

But are there any fish in the river? Picture below is a 57cm Jack caught yesterday (22nd) in quick time at Taupiri on a black Zed, and three trout were hooked with only one landed the day before for an hour & a half’s fishing.

And just to remind you, here’s last year’s winner Troy Garrett with the size of trout 3.224kg to beat this year.

Michael Lynch
Secretary
027 621 4207
Trout Contest Committee: Peter Sweetman John Charteris William Van Zyl Bob Gamble

25^th August

Lake Pupuke is as high as I have ever seen it and nice and cold. This has resulted in a number of fish being taken in the shallower, easily reached, areas of the lake.

The Ohinemuri / Waitawheta Rivers are still holding reasonable numbers of Trout, although a recent trip saw most of the fish being on the smaller side. I suspect that this is probably because most of the larger fish are upriver heavily involved in their yearly nuptials. Small Gold bead Cadillac Pheasant Tails doing the damage although one fish did rise to a Grey Manic Tackle CDC dry fly, always a buzz to see that in August.

From all accounts the open sections of the Waipa / Puniu Rivers are fishing well. Check out the www.troutheaven.co.nz website blog as Craig, the owner, is regularly updating his fishing reports. This week he is saying that the Yoshi Woolly Bugga is working well for down-streamers and Claret Nymphs for the upstream fishos.