What an awesome time to be in the Turangi/Taupo region this time of year!
So much going on , The Tongariro is running at a very clear 26.7 cu today with a big choice of methods to catch fish on, dry fly dropper with small dries such as Parachutes, Klink's and Caddis with small 16# natural skinny ptn's and hares ear nymphs even down to 18# if needed, you can swing some small traditional wets such as March Brown, Mallard and Claret and various spiders on 14# 's, I find a 5 to 7 foot intermediate Rio versi tip on the end of a floating line helps get the flies just under the surface, nymphing in the deeper water with a small indicator and lighter leader than normal is still extremely productive , for the dry fly addicts you can quite confidently fish small terrestrials and Mayflies on their own during the balmy days with less wind.
Smelting is going really well, in between the windy days; you can expect some really well mended fish along the shorelines hunting down smelt right on the edges great sight fishing fun.
River mouths are finally starting to just show signs of regular activity again with the occasional big silver bar showing up during the day, change of light seems to be the time to be out for numbers now.
The lakes are also firing now, and the first damsels are appearing in numbers on those calm warm days some stunning conditioned fish already showing up on all three lakes, Rotoaira, Kuratau and Otamangakau.
Hearing a few Cicadas around on the hot afternoons now!!!!
All to look forward to let's hope the weather plays ball this year for the Cicadas
