Weather: 14.3° Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. Light winds.
River Flow: 22.3 Cumecs (m³/s)
We had a fantastic Matariki weekend, with a significant increase in anglers and foot traffic around Turangi. The night market was a great success by the looks of things as well and it was great to see the community come together like it did.
We were expecting more rain, but as has become the norm lately, it largely missed us. The river rose only slightly to around 23 cumecs before quickly dropping back to 22. Anglers who have been getting out on the water are still finding success, although, as has been the case recently, it's taking a bit more effort.
The last few days have been overcast with light drizzle, which has certainly improved the fishing conditions. Slushies have been the hot topic lately, and we can't seem to keep up with demand.
Neil spent some time on the Tongariro and sent through some great photos of fish he landed.
Rosie, Millzie, Luke, and his dad spent some time fishing the Hinemaiaia and were rewarded with some quality fish. It turned into a great social day on the water, with plenty of action, good company, and even bigger smiles all round. Days like these are what winter fishing is all about.
Looking ahead to the coming week, we're set for another extended spell of dry weather. While a few days are forecast to be cloudy or overcast, there's very little rain on the horizon, and overnight temperatures are expected to remain low. These stable, clear conditions will likely keep the fish on the spookier side, meaning anglers may need to work a little harder for their success. That said, the fish are still there, and we should continue to see small runs as fish holding around the river mouths take opportunities to move upstream.
We'll keep you updated as the week progresses and, hopefully, conditions begin to improve. In the meantime, we definitely encourage people to get out on the water. Fish are still being caught, and those putting in the time are being rewarded.
On another note, we've recently topped up a range of stock in-store, including thermals, socks, strike indicator tubing, indicator wool, and a fresh selection of Patagonia apparel. If there's something you've been meaning to grab, pop into the shop or visit our website to check out what's available.
Tight lines, everyone, and stay warm!
~ Niamh (Bluey)