June 2017 Fishing Report

With the end of the season on May 31, our in-flowing rivers are now closed until November first. There are couple of exceptions in that the Makarora and Matukituki rivers have the first couple of kilometers remaining open for the winter. While there is not much of a food supply for fish in these lower reaches, there can be some good fishing when fish congregate around the mouth and move up the river to spawn. The rainbows should be starting to do this in the next couple of months.

If the lakes are low, the fishing at the mouths of incoming rivers is a good bet. If you are into the targeting of cruising fish around the lake edges, this will not really start to happen until August when the water warms up slightly and the food supply increases.

Flies for the winter months are mainly bully or small fish imitations, so woolly buggers and the like will be the go to patterns.

Winter is a great time to check gear. There are all those things to do such as repair waders, clean out your vest, make that storage box/rod rack for the back of the SUV, clean and condition fly lines, organise fly boxes, and of course, tie flies!

Here’s a nice fish from last week - Stan had just enough time to fit in a fishing trip after his hunting went so well. He landed some nice rainbows, as did his wife Mary. What’s not to like on a calm blue winter day?

Registered professional guide NZPFGA
FFF certified casting instructor
Ph +6434438446
M 0276469419
info@hatchfishing.co.nz