You are here
Reel Life Northland Jan 2012
Tough times but improving
At this time of the year our office is generally preparing information and material for the forthcoming game season, carrying out bird counts and formulating regulations.
The freshwater angling opportunities over the past three months have been difficult for anglers wanting to fish the rivers. Early summer through most of the North Island was extremely wet, resulting in rivers with high flows and running dirty.
This last week the weather has improved with fine days and temperatures reaching the mid 20s. The rivers are starting to run clear but anglers will also see an increase in aquatic vegetation, making it more difficult to cast a line – particularly in the Wairua River.
In the upper catchments of the Wairua River, where the streams and tributaries are coming out of bush catchments, the river will run clear. Trout don’t tolerate warm water very well and some of the fish will swim up into the cooler tributaries to seek refuge.
Fishing deep at Kai Iwi Lakes
Reports are coming in of nice fish still being caught in the Kai Iwi Lakes, however anglers need to be fishing deep to have any success.
This means if you’re lead-lining, letting all your colours out. Those using downriggers should do well along with anglers who are jigging. The attraction to the Kai Iwi Lakes is obviously the superb flesh colour and eating quality of the local trout, which is always enjoyed.
The average size of fish being caught ranges between 1.5-2kgs.
Fishing Kai Iwi lakes.
New patrol boat
Northland Fish & Game staff have a new 4.7 metre Stabicraft, with the boat used for the first time on the lakes over the Christmas and New Year break.
This boat will be used for compliance and survey work on the lakes, and on the numerous harbours and estuarine areas in Northland which provide important habitats for game birds. When you see our craft coming your way expect a catch up – with officers aiming to find out how your fishing’s going. We look forward to seeing your success rate.
