Fishing Report

I accompanied Richard Kemp our representative to the Taupo Fishing Advisory Committee (TFAC) meeting on Tuesday night.The meeting discussed issues concerning the fishery but I have chosen to copy the DOC monitoring report for you to read.

For me, I have found the fishing hard and I have fished a little more than previously this year. Much of my evidence is from what I see and I have seen very few anglers carrying fish and my catch rate has been low. I fished two days with two friends.The nympher caught 1 fish each day. I and my other friend with wet lines got nothing. I copy in full the fishing report from DOC.

TO:                  TFAC

 

FROM:             Mark Venman

 

DATE:             1 September 2014

 

RE:                   Fishery Monitoring Report 

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River fishing

Catch rates on the Tongariro were lower than expected during August with an overall estimated catch rate of 0.25 fish per hour (1 legal sized fish every 4 hours). Catch rates estimated for May and June were low before they increased to 1 fish every 3 hours in July before dropping back again during August. Traditionally, catch rates steadily increase as we progress into spring and so this slight drop was unexpected. Tongariro anglers surveyed during August rated the fish that they were catching at 6.6 out of 10, their catch rate at 6.3/10 and their angling enjoyment at 9.6/10. Rainbows measured during angler surveys conducted during August on the Tongariro averaged 485mm and 1.31kg (2.9lbs) with an overall condition factor of 43.3. Rainbows caught on the neighbouring Tauranga Taupo River averaged 463mm and 1.33kg while those caught on the Hinemaiaia averaged 478mm and 1.34kg.

 

Waipa Stream fish trap

Consistent with the lower than expected catch rates in the Tongariro, the run of rainbow trout through the Waipa Stream fish trap (tributary of the Tongariro near Rangipo) was down with a total of 36 rainbows and 19 browns trapped for the month. During the same period last year, 266 rainbows were trapped along with 138 browns. Rainbows averaged 485mm and 1.25kg and are on par with those caught in the Tongariro. Overall, these fish are on average 17mm shorter and 350g lighter than those trapped during the same period last year. 

 

Escapement counts

Drift dive counts commenced for the season during August with low counts encountered across the eastern tributaries which is again consistent with the other monitoring programmes. Low counts in the Whitikau, Waimarino, Waiotaka and the Tauranga Taupo suggest that the main spawning runs have yet to really get underway.

 

Lake Taupo

Early August saw the NZ Fire Service fishing competition held on Lake Taupo and the local rivers with over 170 trout weighed in from the lake alone. The nine browns weighed in averaged 565mm and 2kg (4.4lbs) with an overall condition factor of 40. The 160 rainbows averaged 460mm and 1.14kg (2.5lbs) with an overall condition factor of 42.3.

 

 

 

 

Te Whaiau Stream fish trap

The Te Whaiau Stream fish trap was contracted out this season with the trap operating for the 21^st consecutive year. The trap was operated during June and July this year rather than the full 5 month period of April to August to reduce operating costs while still capturing over 90% of both the brown trout and the rainbow trout runs. Michel will analyse the data in the near future to obtain a better estimate of the overall winter run for both species.

 A total of 160 browns were trapped over the two month period and these fish averaged 543mm and 1.95kg (4.3lbs) with an average condition factor of 43.5. Over 1,700 rainbows were also trapped and these fish averaged 557mm and 2.2kg (4.8lbs) with an overall condition of 45.6. In comparison to last year’s run, the browns are on average 6mm longer and 150g heavier this season and in better condition overall. A larger improvement was also observed amongst the rainbows with this year’s fish on average 22mm longer and 400g heavier than those trapped last year and in much better condition.

 The heaviest rainbow from the Te Whaiau trap was a rainbow jack measuring 660mm and weighing 3.65kg (8lb) while the heaviest brown was a hen measuring 665mm and weighing 3.5kg (7.7lbs). A smaller fish trap was also operated on the neighbouring Papakai Stream (19^th consecutive year) and produced the heaviest fish overall – a hen measuring 765mm and weighing an impressive 6.2kg (13.6lbs).

 So far the signs are encouraging for the coming summer with the Lake Otamangakau fishery opening on 1 October.

 

Eric Wilson

Secretary