Weather: 11.9° Cloud increasing. Rain developing this afternoon, possibly heavy about the ranges, clearing to fine this evening. Southwesterlies, changing southeasterly late afternoon.
River Flow: 20.9 Cumecs (m³/s)
The sun was out this morning helping warm us up before the cloud cover has crept in which should keep the fish out and about throughout the day.
As spring weather settles in, we are seeing an increase in the wind around the central plateau. It may be time to change your fly line to a more appropriate spring line such as the Rio Gold and Gold XP that can help cut through the wind paired with a faster action rod such as the Sage R8 series.
As the post-spawning fish start feeding hard to put condition back on whilst slowly dropping back out to the lake, we are seeing the low conditions and sunny days increasing insect life in the top water column, beginning to emerge and hatch. We have been seeing rising fish in edge water throughout sunny days and into the evenings. So make sure you have a good handful of small emerger patterns at hand, I was caught out the other day as I approached a rising brown in calm edge water, armed only with a box of nymphs! Needless to say, my dry fly box has been organised and now firmly packed in my vest for this weeks missions.
Swinging wee wets is another productive method for the current conditions and fishing small emergers can entice fish to take from the surface. Keep an eye on the water as you approach, as we see so many wade straight out through shallow water where the fish are sitting before throwing heavy nymphs into the deeper water. Fish your feet guys and girls!
The backcountry season has opened as of the 1st October and we are getting very excited for the summer missions ahead and the dry fly season when the fly fishing really comes alive. The local lakes are open now too, and we wish everyone a great opening season weekend!
Josh and I headed out to our favourite lake for opening day and had great fun throwing streamers all day, finding a good number of fish of mixed sizes. The maidens are in great condition with the as expected spawned out rainbows still needing time to recover and put on condition before things really start ramping up and we see those elusive trophy fish and big models starting to appear in prime condition. I am dreaming of big beautiful browns chasing damsels! Not too long to go team...
The Tongariro has been fishing well, with fish holding more in the tails of pools now, so swinging small unweighted rabbits and woolly buggers into shallower tails and edges has been productive for those on the wetline. Nymphs that have been doing well, include the yellow and white caddis and prince nymphs as insects begin to move around and emergers become more on the menu for the trout. Fresh fish are still pushing through and holding in faster deeper water, but in lower numbers as the season slow.
Remember the road to Taupo from Turangi is closed until Tuesday at 5am and there is no detour through the Waiotaka. So those heading north to the smaller local rivers will have to wait until Tuesday or if super keen, head out on the western bays drive to go right round.
Looking ahead to the weeks weather, sun, cloud and breezy conditions are on the way as spring continues. There are plenty of good sheltered spots on the rivers, so don't let the wind put you off!
See you on the water guys!
~Rosie