Weather (Tomorrow): A cooler day is on the cards, with a high of around 19°C. Conditions should be mostly fine, though a few showers may develop in the afternoon. Westerlies are expected to build through the morning.
River Flow: Currently sitting at 26.1 cumecs (m³/s).
Temperatures have dropped back slightly, which will came as a surprise to many after the recent run of warm, settled weather. A hailstorm about a week ago brought a sudden burst of heavy rain and caused damage to a number of gardens in the area. Today felt much cooler than anticipated, with a noticeable chill in the air, not something many we were expecting for this time of year.
The recent heat and dry weather really made it feel like summer was in full swing. Late-night sessions at the river mouths have been a great option after those hot days and have proven very productive, with both browns and rainbows on the chew. Smelt have been seen widespread across the big lake, which has really fired up the jigging and lake fishing. Grey Ghosts, Yellow Ladies, and other smelt patterns have been the go-to choices.
At the river mouths, smelt patterns have been working well, and as the light fades, switching to darker lumo flies has paid dividends.
Cicadas are being heard more frequently around the area, and there’s already been some surface activity. This will only increase as we head closer to the holidays. Keeping an eye on what insects the fish are feeding on will give you a real edge when it comes to choosing what to throw their way.
With the rain moving through, we’re hopeful the river will get a bit of a fresh flush, which should help encourage some extra fish movement.
Looking ahead, conditions are shaping up to improve again around Thursday. There are still a few showers in the forecast, but temperatures are expected to be milder. Not as hot as what we’ve recently experienced, but very comfortable for fishing and hopefully not as cold as today was.
In-store, we’ve been busy getting well stocked for the Christmas holidays. There are plenty of gift ideas available, along with all the essentials you’ll need for summer fishing.
DOC Update: Major Jones Bridge & Red Hut Bridge
The Department of Conservation has released updates regarding two of the main swing bridges: Major Jones and Red Hut. Both bridges have served anglers for around 70 years and, after decades of use and flood events, are well due for replacement. There has been significant planning into the project and has confirmed that the bridges will remain functional and open to the public while the new structures are being built. Major Jones Bridge will be addressed first, with construction expected to begin in late February 2026.
Tight lines everyone! Not long until Christamas now!
~Niamh (Bluey)