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Waikato Hydo Lakes

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Freshwater Fishing
Forum Name: Freshwater Fission
Forum Description: The place to discuss all matters related to freshwater fishing!
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9904
Printed Date: 03 Jul 2026 at 8:18am


Topic: Waikato Hydo Lakes
Posted By: upstream
Subject: Waikato Hydo Lakes
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2005 at 11:44am

I am mostly a river fisherman, but I may go insane if I have to wait until October to cast a line (the wife agrees!). So thought I'd give the hydro lakes a proper whirl this winter. I don't have a boat so any suggestions on shore based fishing would be appreciated. Some spots to try, techniques to use, flies that work, etc. Cheers.


Replies:
Posted By: Jo.
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2005 at 1:04pm
the tail race at karapiro is always worth a hit, culverts at Whakamaru Village, the old boat shed at maraetei, if you can cast is pretty good basically. I cant think of many places where there are fish.

Basically a red setter and harling in the weedbeds is always good at any time of the year, dry fly over summer and an unweighted caddis on weed edges is always a sure fire way to catch fish in the summer, generally trolling in winter would give you better results, if you can spot a hatch go for it. Hatches do happen in winter on some of the lakes. The hydro lakes are good for experimenting as pretty much anything goes.

Just remember the mindset is different to river fishing, so you may need to think about how you cast.

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Capitalisation is the difference between "I had to help my uncle Jack off a horse.." and "I had to help my uncle jack off a horse.."http://www.peoplefirst.org.nz/">People First New Zealand

Posted By: upstream
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2005 at 9:06pm

Thanks Jo

I did catch a 4lb rainbow in the Mangawhio stream upstream from Lake Arapuni last winter, on a Red Setter fished like a nymph. So there must be something to your Red Setter comments.

Off to tie some rabbits now. I'll let you know how I get on.

Posted By: Fishb8
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2005 at 1:35pm

The Waipapa tailrace into Arapuni can be productive, too. Some of the techniques used by the locals are "interesting". They use a worm with splitshot on a trace cast into the turbine outlet. Other baits I've seen used are pillies, trout roe in a bit of women's tights, squid.

Just a little downstream from the concrete abutment, where people fish, I've caught some good fish just casting a small (10 gm) white jig into the current and swing it into the slacker water. If you can get access to the spillway, to the left, there's fish, too.



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Be yourself; everyone else is already taken

Posted By: karm
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2005 at 9:53pm
If you walk downstream from the Waipapa tail race, on the right hand side of the river there is a small stream about 10 minutes walk
There uses to be a well defined walking track - havn't been there for 30 years !!!-
Quite good in late summer coz the fish lie in the cooler water from the stream
we have caught good fish there over winter on spinners & worms

good luck

Karm



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Posted By: FIGJAM
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2005 at 4:39pm

 hi to upstream at the moment searun browns in the waikato river fish the juntion of the waipa &waikato on the sand bar or at the huntly power station at the creek mouth just before west side of river

lake Arapuni is giveing up some good fish at the tail race below the Waipapa Dam the point at the end of landing rd fishes well in the evenings as well

for more imfo 078475048 wk goodyear auto opp fish city hamilton

              [email protected]



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BE GOOD TO THE FISH. BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER

Posted By: upstream
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2005 at 9:56am

Thanks Figjam, how do you catch these searuns - flies, spinners?

I'll give you a call sometime - are you from HAC?

 

Posted By: FIGJAM
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2005 at 8:20pm

 

      hi upstream sorry i havent been back sooner had some pc problems

       the best times seem to be after a good rain, the stream by the power station at huntly, rabbit flys # rig, fly------400mm trace 3--4kg swivel small ball sinker 1/8---1/4 oz running on main line, stand on the conncret wall cast out let it swing in the current

         yes i am in hac i am the lodge manager and past president



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BE GOOD TO THE FISH. BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER


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