Tuesday 28th March 2023
It is yet another cloudy overcast day here in Turangi and as the temperature begins to drop, we finally let go of the hopes of the sun-soaked summer we were hoping for and begin to lock our sights on what will hopefully be another cracking winter fishing season. Maintenance on the Poutu intake is Schedule to run until the 21st of next month and it has kept the river up, currently sitting at 53.1m3/sec but is nice and clear.
On my walk up to the lookout above the main road bridge this morning I could only see one lucky angler with the Judges Pool all to themselves. The Rahui on the section of river from the main road bridge up to the Major Jones swing-bridge has now been lifted opening up some of the popular pools close to town.
The fishing has been a tad difficult for most anglers on the Tongariro but even in these conditions there has been one or two coming to hand by those putting in the time. Most methods in the right water will entice a Trout or two to eat, a mix of heavier nymphs drifted through deeper edges has been working but showing them a small dry along softer edge water can be quite successful. The usual woolly buggers and rabbit flys swung down and across while we have this elevated flow was how it was done back in the "good old days" and will still work in the present day.
Theresa reported in this afternoon and said she had landed a few Rainbows from the lake which had bellies full of smelt, this confirms what I noticed last week with schools of smelt seen when walking the lake edges. Keep an eye out if wandering the lake as the fish won't be too far away looking for a feed.
With colder days on the way a warm jacket will be high on the list of gear to keep you comfortable when the bleak southerlies are gusting down the river, we have a range of tops at great prices, check them out in store or online.
https://www.sportinglife-turangi.co.nz/collections/insulated-jackets-vests
