Media release from Taranaki Fish & Game

Naki streams in good nick for season opening

Taranaki Fish & Game officers are expecting a healthy start to the new fishing season – based on both environmental conditions and some “great” winter catches.

Field officer Allen Stancliff says local streams are in top condition for the kick off on October 1, 2013.

He says that a recent series of moderate freshes have flushed out river bed algae (that can create slippery wading conditions), and ensured that streams are in good order for early season fishing.

Trout are expected to be well-conditioned for the time of year, as a drought followed by a relatively dry winter has meant that instead of battling flood conditions, the fish have been able to spend plenty of time feeding to regain condition lost during spawning.

Warmer than normal conditions have also meant plenty of aquatic insect activity, including hatches of midge and caddis and mayfly.

“The lack of major floods so far, fingers crossed, looks good for the survival of this year’s juvenile trout, and for the fishing in three years’ time when they reach maturity,” he adds.

Taranaki lakes and the river reaches open to winter fishing have produced some great fish in recent months, indicating the fishery is in good shape for the new season.

Mr Stancliff says that once we get through this unsettled period of spring weather, river conditions should be “very favourable” for the coming months, and another productive season is a good bet.

Taranaki anglers rate their fishing highly; in a recent survey 70% of anglers rated their 2012-2013 season in Taranaki waters as either “good” or “excellent”.

Taranaki Fish & Game says that locals who want to introduce their kids to trout fishing, are urged to attend one of the kids’ ‘fish out’ days planned for October.

Fish & Game releases rainbows into a netted-off area of a lake or river, and issues an authority that allows children to fish for free (covers trout and perch).

Whole season licences are free to kids under 12 on October 1, and cost $24 for 12-17 year-olds. Day (24hr) fishing licences for this age group are only $7.

At the end of each event, the nets are removed and the remaining trout are available for any angler who holds a fishing licence to target.

Taranaki Region 2013 - 2014 kids trout fishing events

ENDS

© Scoop Media