Condition of fish 'exceptional'

Firstly, I am sorry it has been a little time since my last report. The fishing around the Rotorua region has been fairly solid over the last few weeks especially for the jig fishers on Lakes Rotoiti and Tarawera.

The wind has been a little inconsistent with some reasonably strong westerlies blowing but when the good days are here it has been dead flat calm and wonderful.

The condition of the fish has been exceptional so if you’re planning on taking some for the pot you will be well happy with the fish size and shape – the colour of the flesh has been consistently bright red and perfect with the trout averaging between 5-6lb.

Lake levels are still a little high but the benefit of this is the smelt spawning and recruitment has been very strong which has led to better size and conditioned trout.

The writer with a prime Rotorua lakes fish caught jigging.

Traditionally the first three weeks of December have always been our best fishing for the year so if you can, now is the time to get down here! Once the lakes get between 18-20 degrees and the thermocline becomes well-defined, the trout push the smelt to the water change where they can’t break through it and the fish gorge themselves like crazy.

Lake Rotorua has been producing some magnificent browns of late and many of our keen young lads have been stalking the lake edges in particular around Awahou and having fantastic action. With fish starting at 8lb, if you want a trophy brown then this is the lake to explore.

The Ngongotaha and Waiteti streams open up on December 1 which will see them busy, they’re both in good shape at the moment and with no real rain forecast on the horizon should be looking fantastic for the open day. The browns will be starting to congregate around the mouths of these streams shortly so be sure to spend some time stalking the river mouths as well as walking up the rivers.

With daytime temperatures already reaching the mid-twenties for us in Rotorua we may well get fish turn up at the Hamurana and Awahou stream mouths early so be on the watch for when this happens.

If you are travelling down to visit, call the shop prior and we’re happy to point you in the right direction.

Tight lines and best of luck. 

Mike Davis
Rotorua Hunting and Fishing New Zealand
360 Te Ngae Road, Lynmore Junction, Lynmore, Rotorua 3010
07 349 6303
https://www.facebook.com/RotoHF/
www.huntingandfishing.co.nz