Winter Fishing

Yes, the main fishing season is over, but no ... you don't have to put the fishing gear away completely.

Many anglers head for the central North Island around Taupo / Turangi at this time of year, to have a crack at the winter runs of rainbow trout heading up the Taupo tributary streams to spawn. When these winter runs are in full swing, the hustle and bustle of competing with other anglers for the prize water is both exciting, and a bit daunting for newcomers. However, the chance to catch good numbers of fat, silver rainbows is the magnet and makes for a fun fly-fishing adventure. Equipment, flies and techniques are quite different to what anglers are used to here at the top of the South Island, and new chums should make a point of checking into local fly-shops, like Sportinglife Turangi, for valuable advice on where to go and what to use.

Most regions in New Zealand however, do have some water available for Winter Fishing ... and the nice part about it is that you wait for a beautiful day and you don't have to rush to get to the water early.

Winter fishing in Nelson-Marlborough is pretty relaxed, as it's unlikely there will be much action until between 1.00pm and 3.00 pm. This action is usually accompanied by a short mayfly hatch, and is mostly focussed on smaller maiden trout (not mature enough yet to spawn) between 1-2 lbs (0.5-1 kg), which will often rise in the tailouts of long runs. However, from now on also expect increasing numbers of bigger trout to start showing up as they return from the rigours of their spawning efforts and feed hard to regain some condition. On a recent spawning survey in the Motupiko and Rainey Rvs, good numbers of redds, and plenty of 5-7lb trout were sighted in both rivers.

Small brown parachute dry fly patterns can be effective when the fish are rising, but a switch to specialist mayfly emerger patterns may be necessary for any trout that gets super fussy.

For the fly-tiers, here's a couple of effective mayfly emerger patterns to try, that work well for me in the Motueka Rv: left is the famous Quigley Cripple ... right is a simple CDC Mayfly Emerger.

Click on the fly-name for tying instructions. 

Waters that are open now for Winter Fishing in the Nelson-Marlborough Fish and Game region include: Aorere Rv, Argyle Pond, Awatere Rv, Clarence Rv, Cobb Reservoir, Conway Rv, Lake Rotoiti (Nelson Lakes), Lake Rotoroa, Lyall Ck (Kaikoura), Maitai Rv, Maruia Rv, Matakitaki Rv, Middle Ck (Kaikoura), Motueka Rv, Oaro Rv, Opaoa Rv, Pelorus Rv, Rai Rv, Takaka Rv, Taylor Dam, Taylor Rv, Waimea Fishout Ponds, Wairau Rv, Waimea Rv.

Follow this link for full details on open areas, permitted methods and daily bag limits in the Nelson-Marlborough Fish & Game Region.