Rotorua Fly Fishing Report - 6th June 2012

With the forecast rain arriving fishing has improved to a whole new level. Rainbows are coming into the liberation points in ever increasing numbers, with Lake Rerewhakaaitu being one of the better lakes to fish. School Arm has been the better of the spots followed closely by Homestead Arm for those fishing from the shore. A black woolly bugger fly, fished off a floating line and retrieved very slowly seems to be the most productive method, especially when the fly is cast close to the edge of a reed bed.  Over deeper water a sinking line also work well and one can speed the retrieve up if the fly is catching on the bottom. Both trolling and harling on this lake has been very successful. Rainbows in excess of two and a half kilos have been caught in this lake.

Lake Okaro continues to produce fish and will only improve with more rain. Trolling and harling has been successful, though fly fishing and spinning from the shore is a little more successful at times. Grey ghosts or similar flies seem to be the preferred offering, especially when used in conjunction with a white clown or yellow tassie when spin fishing.

Lake Ngapouri has slowed up a little for those fishing from a boat. I suspect that most fish are at the western end of the lake where a small stream enters as there is some natural spawning gravel available.

A lot of anglers have been fishing the Okere Falls Arm and the control gates over the long weekend. Some were successful, other were not, first on the water usually got fish, though once the water has been rested for an hour or so the catch rate did improve for a while. There are large numbers of spawning fish above and below the gates but these fish are proving to be a challenge for most anglers. One or two fish up to 4kg are being caught above the gates, with the larger fish being either LPAD OR RPAD.

Larger than usual rainbows are being caught inside and outside the Ohau Channel both day and night. The wind change to the North has helped with wading as it is not as strong as the westerly that we have had.  A sinking line and woolly bugger cast across and allowed the drift with the current, then retrieved back has worked for some.

Trolling from Emery’s Reef through to the dump has been successful over the weekend with fresh, silver rainbows up to nearly three kilos being caught. With the lack of wind on Monday jigging was also successful at Te Maniku Point and the white cliffs on the northern side of this lake. Great conditioned rainbows continue to be caught at Ruato Bay after dark. Long casts over the weed bed during the day has been successful for some. With all the rain that we have had today and should have over the next couple of days there should be some great fishing at the Dump, Transformer and Café streams as well as the Pipe. Casting along the tree line at the Dump should be successful should the wind stay to the North.

Lake Rotoehu should also be fishing well from the shore. The Taniwha Spring mouth at the Eastern end of the lake has produced some good fish for those anglers casting back to the shore from a boat, while fishing off the jetty at Kennedy’s Bay has also been fishing well after dark when using doll flies or similar. Those fishing in boats need to be aware that there are now two oxygen pipe lines out in this lake with guide wires holding them in place. There is a pictorial map showing the position of the pipes at both boat ramps, with a request for boaties not to anchor, troll or harl in the vicinity. There are large signs marked with a yellow X on the shore at either end of the pipe so you will be able to see where the pipes are in relation to where you are. The pipes are also set at about three metres deep.

Harling and fly fishing from a boat has been quite successful between the weed cordon and Anaputa Point on Lake Rotoma. Fishing closer to where the stream comes out is best. Fish are spawning at the far end of this lake, hard against the left hand side of the beach, though the wind of late has meant that those casting a heave and leave or booby have done best as much less casting into the wind is required.  Most of the stream mouths entering this lake have had a lot of fish holding off them so are worth a visit if you have a boat.

Very good conditioned fish have been caught off what is left of the beach at Lake Okataina, both inside and outside the weed cordon. Night fishing has been best, with early morning being the better time. When fishing close to the weed cordon it pays to only use one fly as trailing flies can get caught on the netting, resulting in a lost fish very quickly. Casting to the right at the end of the jetty has been successful when using a floating line and small black rabbit. Allow the fly to swing and have a very slow retrieve. A lot of fish seem to be hanging off the edge of the drop off but will come in over the weed bed after dark, especially when the wind is onshore.