Weather: 12.8° Mostly cloudy, isolated light showers developing this evening. Northwesterlies.
River Flow: 22.3Cumecs (m³/s)
Finally, a welcome bit of cloud cover settled over the Turangi area today, along with the odd speck of drizzle. It was a chilly start to the morning, but the frost didn't hang around for long. Even so, there was still a definite bite in the air for those heading out early.
The market wasn't quite as busy as it has been over the past couple of weeks, but that certainly didn't mean the rivers were quiet.
Reports from anglers out on the water today suggested fish were still being caught, although conditions proved a little more challenging than in recent days. With the rivers running at summer levels and the water remaining crystal clear, hook-ups were harder to come by. A stealthier approach was needed, and anglers who were willing to spend a bit more time hunting for fish were finding the best results.
By all accounts, the smaller rivers have seen noticeably more angling pressure, along with a higher number of fish being landed. That could be down to the Tongariro running as low and clear as it has been, making conditions a little more challenging on the bigger water.
I think we're still waiting on a decent dose of rain to give the big river a much-needed lift. The good news is that there is rain in the forecast tomorrow, with what looks to be the main rainfall event arriving on Wednesday. If those forecasts hold true, it could provide exactly the freshening-up the river needs and should help improve fishing conditions heading into the latter part of the week.
That rain should hopefully bring the next wave of fresh fish into the system. At first light, slushies and egg patterns continue to be the most effective options, before anglers find themselves switching over to more natural patterns by around midday.
The condition of the fish has been a bit of a mixed bag, but there are certainly some cracking fish around at the moment, with plenty in excellent condition and more than worthy of a spot in the smoker.
I'll be looking to get out for a fish myself tomorrow or Monday during my days off, so hopefully I'll have a firsthand report to share and can let everyone know how things are shaping up on the water.
We've tied up a fresh batch of slushies and Woolly Buggers throughout the week, so if you've made a few donations to the trees or snags lately, we've got you covered for topping those fly boxes back up.
Hope everyone manages to stay warm and dry over the next few days. Tight lines, everyone, and we'll see you back here on Tuesday!
Sombra was also being very helpful with writing the reports lately.
~ Niamh (Bluey) + Sombra the cat
