Weather: 18.0° Cloud increasing, with the odd shower about the eastern ranges. Southerlies dying out early evening.
River Flow: 21.7 Cumecs (m³/s)
We’ve been greeted with a fantastic start to the week, with plenty of sunshine and calm conditions. Temperatures have been steadily rising, and we’re now sitting at a whopping 18°C with only a light breeze about. It’s certainly starting to feel like summer is just around the corner!
Reports coming through the shop have been very positive, with many anglers enjoying fantastic and successful days out on the water. Fish are being reported from the lower reaches right through to the upper reaches, giving anglers plenty of options to explore.
We’re also starting to see more and more reports of fish rising and taking dries. It feels like we’re seeing a real overlap between the seasons, with fish still very keen on eggs, particularly early in the morning, before switching their attention to naturals as the sun comes up.
The dry-dropper setup is definitely becoming the preferred method for those wanting to fish the nymph. It offers a great chance of bringing fish up to have a look at the dry, or even take it, while also being an excellent option for targeting those more cautious and easily spooked fish.
Evenings have been producing some very healthy insect hatches on the river, with mayflies being the most prominent. It’s been great to see the evening activity picking up, and a few lucky anglers have even managed to bring some of those rising fish to the net.
Daylight savings has also made a big difference for those working during the day and wanting to squeeze in a quick evening fish before dark. I’ve been able to get out quite a number of times after work over the last week, which has been absolutely amazing. Most of my fish have been coming to small naturals such as Hare & Coppers, Caddis Nymphs, and Pheasant Tails.
We’re now into the second week of the school holidays, and with the main road to Taupō open, we’ve happily started seeing an influx of anglers and their families coming through the shop. It’s great to see more people getting out and making the most of the improving weather and fishing conditions.
With the rest of the country now open as well, we’re also hearing reports from anglers heading over to the Whakapapa River and the Whanganui River. From what we’ve been hearing, these rivers are in a similar state to our local waters, clear, low, and a little challenging, but certainly still offering some great opportunities for those willing to put in the time.
Luke has been the main man getting out and about on these rivers, making the most of every opportunity to explore and get amongst the fishing while he’s here in New Zealand. He’s already managed to land some great fish, and with the spring season only just getting started, there’s certainly plenty more to come!
Luke even took a friend out for his first taste of fly fishing, and Elliot was able to get into a few fish of his own. It’s always great to see someone new experience that first fish on the fly, so hopefully he’s well and truly hooked and keen to get back out there for another go!
Looking ahead to this week, we’re expecting more settled weather, with some lovely high-teen temperatures forecast right through into next week. We may see some scattered showers on Sunday, but these are expected to ease away during the evening. Overall, it’s looking like another great week to get out on the water and make the most of the improving spring conditions.
We’re also starting to stock up and plan ahead for summer, with wet wading bound to become more popular as the temperatures continue to rise. Wet-wading socks, boots, and hats will be hitting the shop floor soon, so we’ll be well prepared for those warmer days ahead.
With the warmer weather, increasing insect activity, and more fish starting to look up, it’s an exciting time to be out on the rivers. There are plenty of positive signs for the season ahead, and we’re looking forward to seeing what the coming weeks bring.
Tight lines everyone, and enjoy the sunshine!
~ Niamh (Bluey)