Despite the continued inclement weather this summer has thrown at us the lake fishing is showing definite signs of improvement as we head into February.

The ratio of recovering fish to the silver bars we are used to expecting at this time of the year has definitely turned the corner. Although a hard thermocline has still not formed fish are being found at between 30-40 meters. The new Black Magic jig rigs proving very successful at these depths. As usual until a definitive thermocline is formed you will need to stay on the move to find the fish. The boaties that are taking the trouble to try different depths and areas are definitely having better results.

Fly fishers locally has been very mixed mainly due to the excessive river levels throughout the whole north island. Good news is “hopefully” the cicadas seem to have survived the weather and continue to emerge en masse over the whole area. I managed a couple of stunning days on a couple of the local rivers recently just before a major deluge hit. An afternoon of “dry or die” on the big stimmies  resulting in a couple of cracking browns that were looking up. Noticeably the activity has been very hit and miss on the same rivers in the area that are more highly exposed to cicadas then other areas. I’d say that after this early part of the month if the weather finally settles down and the rivers return to more fishable levels then we could well be in for a back end cicada bonanza. Here’s hoping!!

Even if the cicada hatch does not perpetuate we still have the Passion Hopper hatch to look forward to as they have been appearing all over our fences and windows for over a fortnight now. How good would a back to back hatch be?

The local stillwaters have had phenomenal fishing throughout the summer. Plenty of cool water and wind to oxygenate the water has led to some magnificent sport.

River mouths have been the other option to the anglers whilst the rivers have been high. There is plenty of action to be had at this time of the year mainly on mixed condition recovering fish but with the occasional brown turning up this can lead to some very exciting fishing.

Good numbers of browns are entering the Taupo rivers as lake temperatures start to rise. Given the high river levels locally it is a great opportunity to target these fish swinging some big wets both during the day and particularly at night for the big browns that need to be nocturnal feeders.

Despite the weather we have had there is lots to look forward to in the Taupo region.

Tight lines to all from the team at Fly & Gun Hunting and Fishing.

‍

‍

‍Report provided by Hunting & Fishing Taupo

‍

Get into your Lake Taupo fishing this summer with Fly & Gun Hunting & Fishing Taupo.

We all hunt and fish locally so come in and say hello and get the good oil!!

FB: https://www.facebook.com/HuntFishTaupo/

PH: 07-378 4449

E: taupo@huntfish.co.nz

‍