Central North Island - Freshwater

fishing report

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Freshwater Central North Island June
Note: If map is showing it is created by LINZ / New Zealand Hydrographic Authority and made available by Creative Commons 3.0. Maps should not be used for navigation

Exactly as I predicted this season is turning into one of the best for many years not just in terms of numbers but also of magnificent quality and size. I have personally never experienced such a fantastic winter season here in the Taupo region.

Check out more of Gary's images on Insta @garylyttleflyfishing

Despite very low water conditions the fish have been running regardless for many weeks already. As I write this I am watching the first decent rain of the start of winter. Reports coming in during the rising levels have been phenominal!!

Now the rivers are brown and are raging through the system which will give them a much needed clean out from last summer’s algae which has been hanging out for far too long up to now.

Last year was good, in fact amazing with fish averaging 3-4 pound with the odd 5 or 6 pound which was a good fish for the day. This season so far we are seeing the average at probably 3.5-5 pound with 7 pound fish not uncommon.

Silver bars as fat as surely on a par with some of the best winter steelhead fishing anywhere in the world!!

The Hine as usual has been the first to really fire but some huge early season runs also entering the TT about the same time.

Now the rains have come and winter officially starts we will see all the local rivers start to fire which I hope will start to take some of the pressure off the Hine.

The mighty Tongariro is going to be the wild card this year with reports of some huge fish being caught at the delta ready to run.

I cant imagine how good the Tongariro is going to be this year and can’t wait to start swinging so big swingers on the spey gear.

All methods seem to be working well but the egg/bomb combination seems to be the go to. Some noticeable trends towards the Euro style of straight line nymphing and more big interest in spey as the equipment becomes more attuned to NZ conditions.

It really is a fun way of catching winter runners.

The river mouths have been enjoying some outstanding sport recently as the fish have been congregating en masse waiting for the rain. Usual methods have all worked either swinging buggers or hard on the bottom with boobies.

One item of gear that has been a revelation is the “Boobie Basher” shooting head D18 by Airflo. A custom cut head, superfast sink, a real mouth fisherman weapon.

As the rivers get busy with anglers please take time to read the rules on river ëttiquette” and manners.

There’s room for everyone to enjoy themselves without confrontation. Life’s too short and there is no excuse for ignorance!!

Tight lines to all our customers and look forward to seeing you all over the next few month. Stay safe out there and don’t take risks in the high water.

There is so much to look forward to this winter.

The team at Fly & Gun Hunting & Fishing Taupo.

P.S. Taupo licenses expire at the end of June

Tight lines to all

The team at Fly & Gun Hunting and Fishing Taupo

Report provided by Hunting & Fishing Taupo

Get into your Lake Taupo fishing this summer with Fly & Gun Hunting & Fishing Taupo.

We all hunt and fish locally so come in and say hello and get the good oil!!

FB: https://www.facebook.com/HuntFishTaupo/

PH: 07-378 4449

E: taupo@huntfish.co.nz

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