For those downrigging 100-120 feet seems to be the magic depth.

Harling has really started to fire on the lake now as good numbers of fish return to the lake to pack on weight after spawning. Fish will be in various states of condition for a few weeks yet but the river mouth areas have certainly been producing some sport.

One or two colours of lead is working, with top flies being green orbits, red bodied green orbit, olive wooly bugger and various rabbit and smelt type patterns.

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Make sure you are aware of the 200 meter boat exclusion zones around most of our river mouths. If you are not sure then check out the regulations on the DOC website.

Jigging has really started to improve over this last week or so as water temperatures have risen and more fish settle back into chasing smelt shoals around the lake. Notably the fishing has been at quite varying levels ranging from 20 to 50 meters.

As there is no thermocline as such it pays to stay on the move until you find the correct spot and depth. Pat Swift jig flies in a standard size 10 continue to provide the goods with no particular pattern standing out. Fish are feeding on bullies and smelt so location is important at time of the year.

Fly fishing locally continues to improve as the weather warms and invertebrates start to become more active. Fish are starting to be found in the more active shallower riffles runs and seams so multiple hatches can occur as the weather warms.

Good hatches of mayfly and caddis will dominate this month and a mixture of mending and well conditioned residents will be gorging on this this easily available food source after the harder winter months.

Backcountry fishing as predicted in the last report has been outstanding as the condition of the fish after a relatively mild winter are in stunning order and have held good condition.

They are now packing on weight as they start to gorge on mayfly and caddis. 90% of the hatch is taken sub surface so nymphing will continue to dominate the catch except for those periods of surface activity mainly in the evening with rising fish coming up for adults and emergers and later in the evening mafly spinners and egg laying caddis.

Pheasant tail nymph, hares ear and small bead headed nymphs will all work well at this time of the year. Sizes will vary from #12 - #16 and if in doubt go smaller and keep the flies nice and slim profiled.

Top flies will be the CDC mayfly and caddis emergers, small terrestrials such as blowflies, and smaller stimulator patterns. Very worthwhile to hang a small nymph under a dry which can be very deadly throughout summer.

The local smaller lakes have seen mixed results but I would expect things to liven up as we get into November with small damsel, dragonfly and chronomid really starting to become active with weed beds starting to become more established. Lake “O”, Rotoaira and Kuratau will all start to fish well this month.

We look forward to this coming month as it is one of my favourite times of the year with so much going on, so many places to visit, and styles of fishing to choose from.

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