| |
|
|
| |
Latest update...not all six pounders.
Thu 26th May, 2016
|
|
|
|
It hasn't been all six pounders but there have been some good fish caught since the last report.
The forecast rain arrived on cue and the flows peaked at forty plus which has helped maintain the chalky green color we've had in the Tongariro for most of the week.
As the color increases and the flows pick up it often pays to look for the fishy places much closer to the rivers edge.
 Many anglers struggle with the concept of fly fishing during a spate. But you can get incredibly close to fish in these conditions and the browns pictured were caught literally under the rod tip.
If the river is "up" I usually ignore the main current particularly in pools and look for any where that has slow flowing seams near the bank.
Hidden by the "dirty" water trout feel more confident about moving into these places ... and not just to escape strong currents.
When the river rises all sorts of insects drift downstream. Not only displaced aquatic nymphs and larvae but all kinds of terrestrial bugs also get dragged into the rising "waters".
As always soft water next to the main flows are great spots to find feeding fish. Slightly deeper holes that sometimes form below riffles are also worth trying. Especially if there are large rocks or stones to give even more shelter from the strong flows. These spots are usually found at the very beginnings of a pool or run but again target those close to shore.
The sinking line often scores when the river's like this but I'm afraid I'm not a "wetliner". Don't get me wrong and I repeat for the umpteenth time there is absolutely nothing wrong with wet-lining. In fact I'm sure there have been times when I would have done better by using it. But for me fishing is all about having fun and I just don't enjoy wet lining!
Ever since I started trout fishing well over fifty years ago { where does it go?} I've always preferred upstream nymphing. I suppose you could label me a "nymphermaniac".
I find it fascinating ... but there are many ways to fish the nymph when casting upstream.
Most anglers who "nymph" the Tongariro choose the indicator, bomb and nymph setup. Its the most popular method on the river and has been for many years. Understandably, because of that, it accounts for the majority of catches on the Tongariro but like any method it won't work for all situations.
None of the fish in this update were caught using it and all of them came from two short pieces of water a couple of k's apart near town.
In both these places casting is a little restricted and the river is only a few feet deep at the very most.
Trying to present a nymph with the "usual" indicator setup would be extremely difficult and probably a waste of time. The likelihood is, that if I didn't embrace other forms of upstream nymphing techniques I would have struggled and may even have "blanked."
So don't be afraid to experiment ... it will pay off.
Looks like a few more days of rain and showers with some heavy falls possible later Friday and overnight into Saturday and Sunday. An improving situation for the early part of next week with sunshine and cooler temperatures right up until next weekend.
I haven't included all of them but a real mixture of fish around and the best bet still seems to be the lower to middle river... with the Hydro in particular producing a few browns for wet-liners. As the river settles back things should improve ... now where have I heard that before?
Tight lines guys
Mike |
|
|
| Back to Top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
