Anglers hook into booming trout season
Wellington trout anglers are revelling in what is described as the best start to the freshwater fishing season in years.
The season opened on October 1 and Wellington Fish and Game manager Phil Teal said while the previous four springs had been ‘‘blighted by abysmal weather’’, this year the warm, dry conditions had resulted in anglers raving about the numbers and size of the trout around.
In particular the major rivers on the Ka¯piti Coast - Waikanae and taki - as well as the Ohau River in Horowhenua, were all holding some very good trout.
‘‘The fact they’re in the lower reaches in such good numbers, combined with the longer daylight hours, means the fishing is really accessible.’’
Teal said the trout would be making the most of the plentiful food available in the estuaries and tidal reaches as they put on weight and condition after winter spawning. ‘‘There must be plenty of food around because anglers are remarking how well conditioned the trout are so early in the season.’’
Wellington’s Andrew Harding, a keen angler for 35 years, said the
taki River and the Ruamahanga River in Wairarapa would be two of his favourites.
‘‘The Wellington region is blessed with a load of rivers in close proximity, but many people will tend to head for Taupo and Rotorua, possibly without realising what’s in their own backyard. The fishing around here is exceptional.’’
Working around an ‘‘eight to five office job’’ and a young fam- ily, Harding said he fished a lot around the region. ‘‘It is great to fish on your own, but usually I’ll go with another angler. It’s always better to be able to share the experience.’’
Teal said if anglers chose to eat fish from waters containing toxic cyanobacteria, such as the Hutt River, advice from regional councils around the country was that they should do so in moderation.
‘‘Avoid contact with the water as much as is practical while fishing and wash all fish in clean water is the best advice.
‘‘It’s more a risk to swimmers, although anglers are warned not to take their dogs out fishing with them.’’
The Hutt River was producing good results for anglers. ‘‘The river has been very low but recent rain in the Tararua Range has given it a nice pulse of fresh water.’’