More interesting general local fishy gossip repeated directly (#copy & #paste) from the Advocates Website Editorial (by Eric Wilson):
"Environment Waikato is near completing the stopbank on the left bank between the Major Jones swingbridge and the existing stopbank at Te Aho Road. The work has been achieved to the satisfaction of most adjacent landowners and will give protection against floods slightly larger than the 2004 flood. It is interesting to read in the key documentin Archives that this need was forseen in 1968. Given that the project was a government project it is harsh that it is a ratepayer responsibility to cover the cost. It would be good if the Minister of Conservation was able to apply the samegrant and reasoning as is given the grant for Milford Sound. The photo menu river works shows a little of the work that has been done.
From the end of Graces Road 5.5kms of the 7 kms to the Delta have been cleared of willows.
This has opened the right bank up for great fishing.
Anglers have right of access along the bank only but I am sure many will want to try these waters at some time in the season and before the new planting of non spreading crack willow begins to show.
Fish Quality is of great interest with DoC lowering the size of takeable fish to 40cm as from 1st July 2008 with the new season. I observed the weed harvester at work clearing the boat channel in the last week. A photo of the harvester and weed being transported for dumping further along the tailrace is in the Issues Album, Fish Quality. The key point here is that the weed being dumped is full of Koura (Freshwater crayfish). Koura are a recognised food source for approximately 5% of trout and those that do eat Koura, do very well. It is good to know that Koura are still plentiful. There are plenty of fish in the river at this time.
The effects of feral pine elimination is showing now. Photos are in the Issues album, Feral Pines. The key now is to encourage all anglers to pull out a pine seedling or two each time we go fishing. Such action can ensure ongoing control of Feral pines which are an unwanted weed along the river margins. Much is still to be done to deal to the larger trees.
February may be quiet for anglers but it has been a busy time on the river."
Their second para re the clearing of the right bank of the Tongariro River deserves further elaboration. Many anglers have struggled along this river bank in past years salivating (worse than Boof?) at the sight of all those big lazy browns lying amongst the flood debris but frustrated by being unable to cast to them due to the overgrow willows and other impassable scrub. Now, thanks to Tuwharetoa, most of the river bank physical obstructions have all been removed. The extent of this clearance is difficult to portray in a few photos but we will try. As mentioned in the Advocates’ editorial a total of 5.5kms is now accessible and fishable. This is a very significant huge increase for the Tongariro River fishery.
So starting at the top we progress down river. (Knowing the Boss would be away today I took the photos earlier in the week as I knew I would be trapped here watering Her pot plants.) The first photo at the top is taken from the existing track to Delatours Pool, but looking down river around the bend behind the DoC notice board at the end of Grace Road. This indicates where the clearing work starts. Then it just goes on and on and on. It is more like discovering a new major river.
At this point TRM suggest all anglers to be considerate of those following behind them – so only walk along the edge of the river bank on your return trip.
i.e. If you stalk along the (RHS) banks heading down river, all you will do is spook every trout you come across as they will have seen you at the same time as you see them, if not before.
So walk down river away from the edge of the bank for as long as you like, then come back on your stalking beat. OK.
But what about down-river trawling by wet liners I hear you ask. There is just so much room for everyone. Spread out with at least 100m between anglers and it will still accommodate over 50 anglers!.
I suspect that after a couple of efforts the wet liners will not like this lower river one little bit as there may be too many hidden snags. Sinking heads are too expensive to replace every trip. Fly suppliers should make a fortune out of this lower river.
If you are that desperate to go over to the dark side, fishing across and down, then perhaps a floating line with a woolly bugger might avoid trouble. But we think you should be warned you will lose more gear than usual (- a bit like the Hine or TT?). Ditto nymphomaniacs. Use lighter gear and take plenty of spares. (Good – that gets rid of half the competition?) When you see how many trout can be seen along the edge of the main flow then you will appreciate it is worth any extra effort. Imagine over 5 km of river banks – all cleared for you.
Based on our two recces – we were primarily there to take pics and report and we promise we did not do much fishing – anglers will sight many trout waiting for you, browns and rainbows, resting in the shallows. Many of these look just too big and look too easy and too enticing to go past without having a quick flick. But they are mainly there as teasers.
You can have a lot of fun all day trying to tempt them and occasionally they might show some interest and even have a passing glance at your offering.
But generally they are zzzzzzz resting conserving their energy having pigged out on the evening rise and are waiting for the sun to set for the next insect hatch. It is probably easier for most Tongariro junkies to target those seen further out in the current – usually just a dark smudge is all you will see. But they are far more likely to be feeding – one big brown cleared the river by a metre to take a dragon fly on the wing – scared the life out of John as it is sooo quiet and peaceful down there. Naturally they are usually more catchable if they have not seen you.
Then also factor in that these trout have probably never seen a lure or artificial fly before. Your cicada is most likely the first time they have seen anything quite so ridiculous? They have spent three or so years in the lake searching for the missing
smelt. That has been their daily weetbix. But then on reaching sexual maturity their spawning urges took over. They are quietly anxiously making their way up river checking out anything else waving a tail with only one priority in mind…
They seemed to graze more like hens – the chook variety. They picked up anything that is floating naturally past them to see if it is edible. This includes pumice and pebbles and bark etc. and maybe even an artificial fly. A natural drift is the key.
The first angler sent there from TRM this week easily landed two "smallish" 40cm rainbows on a light nymph combo. The second angler caught two legal but a bit skinny – recovering? – brown jacks on the dropper.
So there is plenty of scope for innovative Huckleberry Finn type rigs to "fish the conditions".
With so much room there is no need for any crowding.
Get there early and you will be amazed. Promises, promises..
If we had posted this for 1st April no-one would have believed it…
(Photo above – original Grace Homestead)