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Autumn Fishing In The North Island My favourite fishing spots for this time of year are to be found in the centre of the North Island, from Rotorua through to the East Coast. There are some major river systems in this area, as well as many lakes, all of them harbouring wild browns and hard-fighting rainbows. As New Zealand's rainbow trout are derived from steelhead strains, many of the resident lake trout will start moving from the lake into the rivers, heading for the spawning streams. By targeting the rivers feeding the lakes and the tributaries of the major rivers, April anglers can greatly improve their chances of picking up a big fish or at least a good bag. ROTORUA In the Rotorua region, the most important river system is the Rangitaiki River which drains into Lake Aniwhenua situated not far from the township of Murupara, about one hour's drive from Rotorua. Lake Aniwhenua is a artificial lake, formed in 1980 by damming the Rangitaiki River for hydro-electric generation. Such new lakes often fish extremely well for the first few years, as the trout feast on the food provided by the drowned foliage. Aniwhenua was typical in this respect and was known for the huge number of trophy (ten pound plus) fish taken in the first few years after the formation of the lake. The fishing has settled down somewhat in recent years but trophy trout are still caught every year. The lake fishes best at the change of light, both morning and evening. Access around the lakeshore is reasonable at both ends and especially on the eastern side. The western banks are mainly scrub and bush so can only be fished by water-borne anglers. Fishing from boats or float tubes is very productive and is probably the best way to quickly find where the fish are. Not far from the lake, the Horomanga River is crossed on the road to Murupara. This is one of the main spawning streams of the lake and as soon as the first rains hit the area, this small river is filled with spawning trout. Many fish in excess of 8 pounds have been taken from this river although in the last few years the average weight has dropped to a more modest but still very respectable 4 pounds. The best fishing is to be found in the first few kilometres up from the quarry at the end of the access road. Heavily-weighted nymphs are needed to get down to the trout as they tend to hug the bottom of this fast-flowing river. Double fly rigs are the best solution as a size 14 tail fly will look more natural than the size 10 heavily-weighted `bomb'. Try a beadhead Hare'n'Copper with a Pheasant Tail tail fly. The next river up the road is probably the pick of all the rivers in the Rotorua region. There can be few rivers more beautiful than the stunning Whirinaki River as it flows through the magnificent native forest of the World Heritage Forest Park that encompass the upper reaches. It is a river that presents hugely-different characteristics, ranging from the small bush-encased head waters; down through the mature native forest section; into the gorge with its classic, picturesque pools; through the swifter willow-lined section; down to the lower river punctuated by big, slow pools with pine trees perched precariously on the cliffs above; till it finally emerges into the flat, open farmlands just before its junction with the Rangitaiki River, not far above Lake Aniwhenua. The river carries a good population of both rainbows and browns averaging around 3 lbs. The fishing is not always easy ad there are a few traps for newcomers but once you know its foibles, it would be unusual if you did not pick up a fish or three during a day's fishing. The most important lesson is not to waste too much time fishing the gorgeous-looking pools. The reason is that most times when Whirinaki fish are feeding, they are in the riffles or broken water. When you fish this scenic river, it is important to keep this lesson in trout fickleness to the fore. If you concentrate on fishing the riffles and broken water, you are likely to have a productive day, on either dry fly or nymph. The upper reaches of the river require a quite a hike from the end of River Road and an overnight camp would allow you more time to explore the many kilometres of available water. It might be worthwhile as shown by when a client of local guide, Graeme Ryder, took a 13 lb trout there in 1998. It is delicate water so a 5 weight outfit is all that is needed. For the day tripper, the water from the ravine down is a better proposition. Access is easy from short tracks from River Road to the river. There is only a mile or so of fishing from the last access up to the ravine. However that short stretch takes you through some of the most beautiful, mature native bush in New Zealand. The bush continues alongside the river as far as the township of Minginui. Below here, the river flows through farmland and then mainly pine forest. Although this may not be as pleasant as fishing in the native bush stretches, the fishing can be very productive in this area. The water changes character in the lower stretches and the river takes on a quieter nature. Here the fish average 3 pounds and a good day could see five to ten trout taken.
The main river in the region is the Rangitaiki River but it has been much altered by hydro-electric development. The river starts near the Napier-Taupo Road and flows through the Kaingaroa Forest. A permit is required to enter the forest and this is available from:
WHAEO POWER SCHEME From Murupara, there is a long and windy drive on a dusty, narrow road. But the lake at the end of this journey is rated as one of the most beautiful places in all of New Zealand. Lake Waikaremoana is surrounded by mature native bush and offers some of the best dry fly fishing in the North Island. The lake was formed 2200 years when a huge mountain crashed into the ravine of what was the Waikareteheke River. This created a huge dam behind which the lake formed. There is a much smaller lake positioned several hundred feet above the main lake which was also formed by a major landslide. Lake Waikareiti offers good fishing for smallish rainbows for those prepared to hike two hours up the trail. A dinghy can be hired at the lake from the Department Of Conservation (DOC) and this is the best option as shore access is limited.
For the main lake, the best of the lake fishing has gone by the
timeframe of our April visit. The fishing in the lake itself usually
peaks in the middle of summer when large brown trout can be seen
cruising the shallow lake edges and will be supping in cicadas with
care-free abandon. There is little fishing that is as
adrenaline-producing as seeing a large brown slowly approach your fly in
still water. Your heart is in your mouth as you try and control those
twitches in your rod hand as the trout leisurely inspects your offering.
Then finally it decides your fly is acceptable and swallows the untasty
morsel. Now it is necessary to control that urge to raise your rod too
early. So you count to three and gently lift the rod. A solid take
ensures and you are solidly connected to a wild Waikaremoana brown. RUAKTITURI RIVER There is a huge variety of water, ranging from strenuous rapids, to deep, slow pools flanked by sentinel boulders, to riffly runs that just have to hold fish. It is no place for fine leaders and delicate techniques. Anything less than a 6 lb leader is pointless, as the violent Ruakituri trout make effective use of their angler-unfriendly environment. Brown and rainbow are found in equal proportion, dependent only on the type of water fished. The size of fish can be daunting. They average 4 lb and there are plenty of 10 lb fish in residence. Landing these monsters in the fast, bouldery water is never easy and tales of lost fish will dominate your evening story-telling - even more so than usual!
Emerging from the long gorge, the river takes on a different character as it meanders through farmlands to meet the Hangaroa at Te Reinga. Access is easy through the farms bordering the river. Along this section, you have a better chance of spotting your fish, but great stealth is required as there is not much cover. The river has lost its impetus and flows wider and slower. There is more weed growth in summer, which can to be annoying. Long leaders are essential and the increased angling pressure in the more-accessible lower reaches make the trout rather wary. The Ruakituri then meets the Hangaroa River and their combined flow crashes down the Te Reinga Falls and join the Wairoa River at Frasertown. No matter what type of water you prefer to fish, the Ruakituri can offer it. You can fish dry, nymph or wet. You can fish big slow pools, fast turbulent water, pools of huge depth, riffly rocky runs, and swirly backwaters. You can fish in rugged Urewera bush, in deep shadowed gorges, or from farmland meadows - what river has more variety? And that has fish that commonly go over 10 lb? No, whatever criteria you use, the river has something for everyone. The best stretches of water for the flyfisher are at the end of the Papuni Station farm road. The track to the Waitangi Falls starts from here and it pays to walk up an hour or so before starting fishing. There is some excellent water upstream from where the track leaves the river. At times you will have to get `down & dirty' and fish with heavy gear to reach the fish lying at the bottom of the pool that may be twenty feet deep. At other times, the fish will be out in the riffles and a medium-size beadhead nymph, fished down the riffles, will usually find a few feeding fish. Even in April there may be an evening rise and you can often score a big fish on a dry fly. It is only one of various techniques you will need to fish this river as the variety of the water and the size of the trout make this river unique in New Zealand. Add to that the beauty of your surroundings and you have found trout fishing heaven. MOHAKA RIVER
There are some misconceptions about the Mohaka. The first view most anglers get of this well known Hawkes Bay river is the fleeting glance down from the lofty heights from one of the road bridges. The first impression is `BIG' and it is. But down at the river level, it looks a lot different. You would miss out on a lot of fish, and a lot of fun, if you fished this river using only big river techniques. This is because the brown trout will be usually found along the edges, in the shallow water while the rainbows will normally be in the riffles and runs. Although the riffles can look rather fast, especially out in the middle of the wide river, the flow is not as fast as it looks. There are rocks in the middle of the riffles and the fish lie behind them and are sheltered from the strong current. But sometimes the river must be fished very differently. Especially when you encounter a huge pool with heavy rapids at the head, leading to a section where the strong flow has carved out a very deep pool, with fast water on the far side. It will appear that you would be better off fishing the pool with a spinner rather than a fly. But often you will spot a good fish holding ten feet deep at the edge of the main flow. Then it is time to dig out the fly box and scrounge around for a heavy nymph. Find something like a size 10 Halfback Bugeye and tie on a size 12 Hare'n'Copper to the bend of the heavy nymph. Chuck in the whole rig with a prudent, open-loop cast. The heavy rig will plonk into the fast water just below the rapids and sink quickly. Then you have to decide whether to watch the indicator or the fly - such is the clarity of New Zealand rivers. If you watch the trout, you may see the it take the nymph while the indicator twelve feet above had not begun to move. Another lesson - when you can see the fish, don't worry what the indicator is doing. By the time that moves, the fish may have spat out the fly.
Certainly it is not pleasant fishing when you fish with such a heavy rig but there are occasions on the Mohaka when you also have to get `down & dirty'. This is likely in the fall, especially if a cold southerly wind is blowing. In these conditions, the fish will be all lying deep in the pools and you had better fish heavy or go home empty-handed. If this does not appeal, then it is wise to fish the various tributaries of the Mohaka as in April, the fish are starting to run up these small waterways to spawn. Many of these streams are pathetic, thin trickles where they enter the main river. But walk up the stream a mile or so and you will find a gorge with delightful pools, runs and rapids. One of these is the Makahu which you cross over on the way to Hot Springs up the Puketitri Road in back country Hawkes Bay. Where this stream enters the Mohaka, it is only a few inches deep, and spread out over ten feet of slimy rocks. It doesn't look like it could support anything larger than a tadpole. However venture up only a hundred yards and you are in a gorge containing maybe a dozen of the most awesome pools you would ever want to fish. And in most of them, early or late in the season, will be a trout of at least 4 lb and maybe as big as 7 lb. They are not easy to catch as trout from the big river tend to become rather spooky when they enter the confined spaces of the tributary. They just don't seem as relaxed as they do when they are swanning about deep in the pools of the big river. But if you persevere and fish slowly with care, they are catchable. And hooking one of those 7 lb beauties, in such small water, is a real adrenaline rush. There will be no just standing on the bank while the trout swims up and down the pool - here you will be hanging onto a very irate fish bent on returning to the main river 500 yards away! The other Mohaka tributaries worth considering are the Mangatainoka, the Ripia, the Waipunga and the Te Hoe Rivers. But the most productive is definitely the Waipunga River. In that wild river, I have often hooked upward of twenty 2-5 lb trout in a day's fishing.
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