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Reel Life Wellington Jan 2012
Mixed fortunes
Happy New Year and welcome back! The start of a new year has brought a mixture of weather patterns, temperatures, and also cicadas. The mixed bag of weather conditions has resulted in periods of hot sunny days where anglers have had great opportunities, to periods where wind and rain has kept anglers indoors.
A few of our rivers are starting to develop signs of algal growth which we would normally expect far later in the summer period. This weed growth is extremely frustrating for both fly and spinning anglers fishing that water. A few days of rain to flush the rivers out would be a blessing for most rivers that are beginning to show algal growth.
Cicadas & drift dives
January has seen the first wave of cicadas arrive. The odd one could be heard before Christmas but it seems a few more are about now and this should increase heading into February with the warm temperatures likely to continue. For fly fishermen a ‘Cicada’ will be a popular choice when fishing and can be used at most times during the day.
Wellington Fish & Game has started the annual drift dive program, and it’s heavily reliant on fine weather and clear rivers! So with patchy weather about, this has been a staggered process so far. We are also limited with the number of divers available at different times, so if you are interested, or you know of someone who might like to lend a hand on some our dives, please get in touch with your details and availability. This would be most appreciated! Contact ncudby@fishandgame.org.nz
Also, at some stage during the summer months, the Silverstream weir on the Hutt River is due to get upgraded. Work has not yet begun but it shouldn’t be too far away. In its current state it appears to be a barrier to upstream migration, so an upgrade is badly needed. The proposed repairs shouldn’t have an effect on fishing downstream or near the site, as they intend to make a few diversions with the river in order to carry out the work ‘in dry conditions’ on the river bed.
Fishing news
The upper regions have had rivers in flood for the early parts of January and have only come right in the last week or so. The Manawatu and Rangitikei Rivers have been out of action but seem to be in a better state now. Anglers have had few opportunities when fishing these areas.
The Rangitikei River.
The Wairarapa hasn’t been much better although a few reports indicate the fishing has been good in the upper reaches of the Waiohine River, and most sections of the Ruamahanga River seem to be doing well.
Little has been heard from the Kapiti Coast, although the rivers in this area have been some of the most stable in the region recently. The Otaki and Waikanae Rivers should be holding a few fish.
Further south near Wellington the Hutt River seems to be fishing well, with anglers seeing good numbers of fish from bridges, and a few have been caught in the upper sections near the Akatarawa confluence.
Over the hill, the Wainuiomata River is holding a lot of oxygen weed at present, and fish are likely to be hiding among the weed during the day. Fishing is best when the fish tend to be actively feeding; anglers have had little success when sight fishing here recently, due to the vast amounts of oxygen weed.
For any information please contact us on 06 359 0409.
