Weather: Sunny today with highs of 18C
Tongariro Flow: 40.3 cumecs (m³/s)
The Tongariro is back down to a great flow from the 330 cumec heavy flow we saw in the past 48 hours. The water is still coloured nicely, pushing us to tie on bigger, darker and brighter flies. Caddis will be top of the menu as they have been dislodged from the river bed and will be freely available to trout. Some great reports from our early morning anglers today who've reported good numbers of big fresh silver fish, caught on big slushies!
We expect that the post spawning fish in the middle reaches will have been pushed out to the lake and post spawning trout at the head of the river will have dropped to the middle reaches, replacing the recovering fish which should still leave us with good numbers for the evening rises after warm sunny days. There may well be an evening rise tonight if the sun continues to shine and water levels continue to drop along with water clarity improving. Swinging wee wets, emergers and small woolly buggers into the evening will undoubtedly supply good numbers of recovering fish.
Have you got your summer dry fly kit in order? A good summer dry fly line, tapered leader, desiccant powder for smaller dries, a variety of good dry flies and a light tippet for low clear conditions are essential. Come see us in store to get yourselves ready for the season.
Gary and myself have enjoyed a few backcountry trips, with anticipation for cicada season!
Wally and I headed out during the week to catch up and get into some recovering fish. Wally's own tied Hare and Coppers and late champagne egg patterns were doing the damage. The stomach contents of this silver fish destined for the smoker, turned up full of caddis and eggs!
Lake O has been productive without the damseling season really taking off yet. Here's Gary with some of his cracking catches as per usual!
We are certainly spoiled for choice here in the Central Plateau at this time of year, with so many options of fishing styles and locations on the doorstep! It's the best dilemma! It's best to take all your gear as will you end up smelting at the river mouth after nymphing for the day, before hitting the evening rise, before swinging for early river run brownies into the night? Best pack lunch, dinner, 3 rods & reels & some extra layers! The waterproof 29L Patagonia Guidewater Backpack will have you covered.
Have a fabulous fishing week! We will see you on the water,
Rosie & Gary