Weather: Another lovely sunny day at 21°C with light breeze
Tongariro River flow: 21.3 cumecs (m³/s)
The cicadas are chirping away in the bush at full noise in the sun! The season seems to be ramping up into a good cicada year with reports of anglers catching on cicada patterns already. The backcountry is already well ahead with explosive cicada eats once the fish are up on the top from mid-morning, depending on sun exposure on the river.
Josh and I headed into the backcountry on Tuesday to target feisty rainbows, who took cicadas, smaller dries and natural pheasant tail nymphs.
The Tongariro is flowing very low and clear, posing some challenges for anglers as the fish have great visibility and can easily spook. Approach the river slowly, keeping your rod down, avoid bright coloured hats/ tops and don't be afraid to crouch or crawl up to that fish to make your cast! Long tapered leaders of at least 12ft are ideal to ensure they don't see your fly line, or it could be game over. Small natural fly patterns are essential.
The smelting has been productive when the conditions are right, then there are fish feeding hard into the lake edges, especially on the change of light. We have plenty of smelt patterns and materials to make that perfect small-profiled pattern that the fish won't hesitate to eat. Brown trout are also making an appearance into the night, taking darker smelt patterns, woolly buggers, lumos and doll flies. Come see us in store to discuss patterns that are working well.
Gabe and I headed out for an evening lake edge session and had a blast with a few chunky fish making appearances amongst the recovering rainbows! Floating or intermediate lines with a rod length of strong but fine tippet is the ideal set up. Gabe's Mcleans weigh net always looks great with a big golden brownie in it!
Enjoy the fishing guys and girls! Email any photos you have of your fishing success in the region to sport.life@xtra.co.nz to feature on our reports.
See you out there,
Rosie