Fishing opens Sunday

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 605, 26 September 1995, Page 10

Fishing opens Sunday

From all accounts freshwater anglers can look forward to a promising start to the 1995/96 fishing season which opens on Sunday 1 Oc tober. The mild winter weather was characterised by frequent but well dispersed rainfall, but no large damaging floods, according to the fish and game council. Streams and rivers are currently in good condition, providing anglers with plenty of water to test their skills. Newcomers to angling should make the most of the early months when trout are actively feeding on the abundant spring food supply after the meagre winter rations. The warm spring weather induces early hatches of the major sources of trout food, the mayfly, stonefly and caddis insects. Trout feed voraciously on the glut of food to regain condition that was lost during spawning. Everyone requires a licence to fish for trout and perch and they are available from most local sports shops and are free to children under 12 years of age. In the Ruapehu Region, arguably the most scenic and

productive water in our region - the Manganui a Te Ao River near Raetihi, will always be worth a visit. The Ruapehu Fish and Game Club has erected a large map at the entrance to Ruatiti Domain to assist anglers in gaining permission from landowners to cross private land to get to the river. Copies of the map are available from the Wanganui Fish and Game office. Anglers are asked to gain permission to cross private land, behave responsibly and leave all gates the way they find them. Other Waimarino waters well worth a visit include the Tokiahuru Stream and the upper Mangawhero River and a tributary, the Taonui Stream. Ohakune and Rotokuru lake will also fish well and provide ideal opportunities for novice anglers to catch their first rainbow trout. The lakes are open to all angling methods, as long as a rod and reel is used (no handlines). This means anglers can flyfish or use spinners or bait. Some excellent fishing was enjoyed by anglers at this time last season especially by those who exploited the evening rise.