Reel Life September 2023

Above Right: Ben Ellison with a cracker Hutt River brown caught recently.

New Opportunities For Lower NI Anglers

The new season sees Wellington and Taranaki Fish & Game working closely together as we move towards a formal amalgamation.

There'll be ease of access to information and fishing in the neighbouring region, which we hope will enable anglers to expand their horizons and explore new opportunities you may not have considered that are just 'across the border'.

We will expand coverage in our weekly fishing – the Lower North Lowdown - to include fishing forecasts and weather and river flow information from both regions. 

If you would like to sign up for the weekly fishing report, delivered to your email every Thursday, click here – or email wellington@fishandgame.org.nz with ‘Lower North Lowdown sign up’ in the subject line]. 

The aim is to arm you with the best information available to make your outings a success this season. 

Prospects Looking Good

Forecasters report that the more stable El Nino weather pattern is firmly ensconced now.  

A return to ‘normal’ direr conditions should be expected, with more weather from the west, and fewer easterlies that brought the rain and severe storms last season.  

This will be a welcome relief for staff and anglers alike after a washed-out summer.   

In both the Wellington and Taranaki regions, rivers are looking in great shape, with few major winter floods. 

Even rivers like the Rangitkei and Pohangina, which seldom ran clear last season because of the sediment load they received from storms, are looking excellent at the time of writing. 

Get The Latest Next Thursday

Don’t forget to check out our weekly fishing report – Lower North Lowdown - next Thursday for insight and intel on what anglers can expect for Opening Day, Sunday, October 1. 

And don’t forget to grab your licence!   

Tight Lines,

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