Rotorua Fly Fishing Report - 11th May 2012

It has been many years since we have had such good water quality in Lake Rotorua at this time of the year. By now we usually have a major algae bloom which affects Lakes Rotorua, Rotoiti and the Kaituna River, but not this year, so far anyway. With Okere Falls Arm and the Kaituna River being so clear it is easier to see spawning fish that are holding in small numbers both above and below the control gates. There are larger than expected numbers of rainbows up to the one and a half kilo mark still around but larger fish are turning up in ever increasing numbers. Rainbows over the magical four and a half kilo mark are taken from below the control gates every year though not in any great number, just enough to give a few anglers some heart stopping moments as they battle these fish in the fast water. Most of the larger fish have been holding under the turbulent water directly below the gates, but with the gates wide open there isn’t any turbulence at the moment. Woolly bugger and ginger mick flies are working well during the day and black marabou are great after dark.

Lake Rotoehu has fish coming into the liberation points, most seem to be around the one and a half to two kilo mark and all are fairly good condition. The water quality is not great so the use of a light coloured fly such as a grey ghost should produce results. As this lake has only dropped 100mm or so since summer there is little chance of wading too far along the lake edge. Remember also that this lake is used for duck hunting so early morning and late afternoon trolling or harling is best left until the hunting season finishes.
In saying that, two anglers from Tauranga had the lake to themselves on Sunday as they fished this lake. They had a ball apparently and caught a limit bag each of good conditioned, orange fleshed fish and dropped several others at the boat.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of fish, some on the very large size, actively feeding off the surface and over the weed bed at Ruato Bay over the weekend. Some were too far out to be able to cast to but there were others that were well within range of an average caster of the fly. Casting a line over the weed bed at either end of Ruato Bay after dark should bring results, especially once the moon has reduced in size. A heavy cloud cover will help also as will a reasonable amount of wind as fish have been very wary on the very still nights that we have had. The Dump through to the Pipe has been fairly quiet but a lot of rain hit the area over the past couple of days. This should have improved things no-end, especially for early morning fishing trips. The bay out from the Pipe has been very popular with jiggers over the past couple of weeks with many boats tied up to the ropes that hang from the trees over the deep drop-offs.

Lake Rerewhakaaitu has fished well both from the shore and by boat, though the shore based angling is still restricted by the high water level. Both Homestead and School Arms have produced fish for flingers of the fly or spinner, especially on change of light, but those harling have struggled some days. Darker smelt patterns such as the ginger mick have caught well. Smelt are still in amongst the trees, drawing trout in close, though without a boat they are challenge to get at.

Lake Okaro continues to provide great fishing, especially since the rain. This lake always provides surprises, especially in the size of the fish. On more than one occasion rainbows over three kilos have been caught from the shore.