Prospects look good for trout season opening

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 555, 27 September 1994, Page 14

Prospects look good for trout season opening

From all accounts, anglers can look forward to a promising start to the 1 994/95 trout fishing season. As at last week there had been no large damaging floods and the frequent but well dispersed rainfall has maintained rivers in top condition. The Manganui-a-Te-Ao River near Raetihi should provide excellent early season angling for brown and rainbow trout. Recommended patterns include size 121 6 hair and copper, halfback and dull-grey or green caddis used in conjunction with heavily weighted nymphs of split shot. Spinning will also be productive when the river is discoloured after rain. A comprehensive pamphlet on the Manganuiateao and other Waimarino fisheries is available from the Wanganui office or the Ruapehu Fish and Game Club. For the kids, V irginia Lake in W anganui has be6n loaded with two and three-year-old rainbow trout from Turangi, some of which weigh up to 1 .5kg (3.51b). Ohakune Lake and Dobbs Dam in the Waimarino have received similar releases and all

should fish well. Good spin fishing for brown trout can also be found in the Mangawhero River downstream of the falls at Kakatahi. Newcomers to the sport should be aware that a licence is required to fish for trout and perch. Licences are free to under 12-year-olds.