Reel Life October 2023

Above right: Ben Ellison with a ripper Hutt River brown – fish are in excellent condition for so early in the season. 

Solid Start To Season

It’s been a fairly wet and windy start to the season so far, however, those anglers who haven’t been hampered by the at times trying spring conditions have found good fish numbers. 

The smaller streams have been firing – the high river flows meaning many trout are still holding happily in their spawning waters.

This should continue until the water tables and mainstem rivers start dropping but that could be some time off yet with flows holding well. 

Small stream fishing necessitates a more cautious approach and lighter gear, but anglers who are confident with casting in tight spots and accuracy are finding excellent fishing.  

If finesse isn’t your forte, not to worry – the lower river reaches have also been firing when conditions are clear. 

Good whitebait runs are being reported in Wairarapa, and with Lake Onoke only recently opened to the sea after being blocked for several days there will be a good pulse of ‘white gold’ moving into the Ruamahanga River right in time for the long weekend ahead. 

You can be sure the trout and kahawai will be following the migration, so good sport should be on the cards in the lower river system for spin and streamer anglers. 

Fishery Faired Well Over Winter

The reports we’re hearing a lot from anglers is that the condition of the trout this season is excellent.

This indicates the fishery fared well over winter with few significant flood events likely the cause. 

The trout have clearly been able to recover quickly after the gruelling spawning period, allowing them to reach prime condition early in the season. 

This bodes really well for the months ahead! 

Cracker Forecast For Long Weekend

Anglers have finally got the weather they have been waiting patiently for since the start of the season!

Clear skies and warm sunny conditions are forecast across the entire lower North Island right into Labour Day Monday which should set the season alight. 

If you’ve been holding off buying your licence until conditions settle, there’s no reason to wait any longer. 

And with Monday being a public holiday, you can treat yourself to a bonus day’s fishing. 

It doesn’t get much better than that so grab your licence now and crack into it.

Tight Lines,

Hamish Carnachan, Wellington Fish & Game Officer/Communications Officer.