As I write this newsletter (June 1, 1999), I am reflecting on a magic
weeks fishing in the Taupo area. All the rivers – Tongariro, Tauranga-Taupo,
Waihatanui, and the Hinemaiaia – produced excellent runs of superb
fish. This winter is the third year after the huge floods of three years
ago and there were fears that the effects of the floods on that spawning
year may have been disastrous, this, showing up this year.
Well the initial signs are that things are no where near as bad as
might have been feared. Trout are there in good numbers, and good condition.
Being alive is not half bad.
Just a thought though – winter in the central North Island –
is great fishing – but remember the reason the fishing is so good,
is because the rivers are full of fish heading upriver to spawn. Use
your share with care – and have
a look at this slant.
As if it is not enough that North Island trout fishing is top class,
there are still good numbers of snapper
and kingis
being taken in the North of the North Island, and still good numbers
of game fish further north again.
A good friend of mine, nabbed a 256 kilo (560 lbs) broadbill while
doing a night drift off the Three Kings Islands just off the northern
tip of New Zealand. Fish took only 12 minutes to get to the boat but
John said that in that 12 minutes the fish went totally ballistic. Unlike
most broadbills which usually take a deep dive then dog it out way down
deep, this one stayed on, or above, the surface. One of the disadvantages
of getting a fish this quickly to the boat is that it goes bananas at
the boat and this fish was no exception. Really tested the crews strength,
and courage.
Broadbill were not the only thing they caught, I think the count was
nine striped marlin for the three days, all released. Not bad fishing
for May?! A more expansive account of the fishing is in the June Issue
of New Zealand Fisherman magazine. Get it while it is hot.