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Every cloud has a silver lining.
Wed 2nd October, 2013
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As expected the Tongariro has continued to fish well now that things have settled down after last weeks flood. There have been changes up and down the river but its going to take some time to investigate all of them. I think a lot of us were hoping the Braids would be back but I'm afraid the bull-dozers did a good job and only a real biggie will undo the man made mess created there. 
Spot X remains little more than a bird-bath and the whole area in front of the lodge still looks like an abandoned gravel pit.
Its such a shame because there were some great possies there which were ideal for beginners, junior anglers or those who couldn't get around as well as they used too.
But every cloud has a silver lining ...
As we've said before, the fish have to pass through this stretch. With virtually no water coming down the right-hand side, trout numbers become concentrated in parts of the center and left-hand channels, so there are lots of new angling opportunities throughout whats left of the place.
Many anglers who gave up on the Braids are starting to return and although it remains a shadow of its former self, it can get pretty busy, especially on holidays and weekends.
Husband and wife Alan and Cheryl Herring
{ above } from N.S.W were visiting Turangi for their anniversary. They got got married here thirty years ago and with a surname like theirs they'd just have to love fishing. They had already landed a few on the middle river before finishing off with a nice brace from the Braids.
The next time I saw them they were on a platter in the restaurant of the Bridge Motel ... the trout not the Herrings!
Entertaining the kids during the the school holidays is always a challenge so Dad Bruce decided to take his son Tim for a morning session on the river.
Tim had only fished a couple of times before and had only ever caught one trout. But he's a quick learner and ended up showing Dad how to do it.
He slayed them ... landing four out of nine hook-ups. The others disappeared down a fast chute despite him playing them like a pro on his 8 wt.
Its a good job he's not here more often ... there'd be none left for the rest of us.  
A good week on the river with plenty of fish around. In fact its probably impossible to blank at the moment. But don't expect every fish you catch to be a fin perfect fresh run specimen.
Trout that spawned earlier in the year will now figure more often in catches as they make the return journey. And last weeks flood will have given these hungry kelts a helping hand downriver ...whether they wanted it or not.
After spawning there's a higher mortality rate amongst males and some of the jacks that turn up now will look particularly tired and beat up.
Dotted along the river you'll see an increasing number of rotting carcasses ... a result of nature ensuring that only the strong survive.
Best flies this week ... well ... take your pick because everything seems to be working.
If I had to suggest just one ... then I've done ok using good ole fashioned goldheads.
More weather fronts heading our way so a little bit of unsettled stuff forecast for the next ten days or so. Lots more great fishing to come and plenty of exploring to do after the flood ...
 
See you out there guys
Tight lines
Mike |
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| COMMENTS |
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Hi Mike
Delighted the river is continuing to fish so well for you.
Not a trout in the South Island is safe between mid-Jan and mid-Feb!
I hope the new season brings you every good fortune.
Tight lines
Ken |
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| Sat 5th October, 2013 | View 1 Replies |
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