Taupō Fishery Focus. By trout anglers for trout anglers.Issue 31 – October 2023. Good weather prompted a busy Labour weekend as anglers and other recreational boaties descended on the Taupō District. In light of current biosecurity concerns posed by invasive gold clams, our Fishery Rangers were on hand to help highlight the importance of Check Clean Dry.  CCD is a valuable tool to stop the spread of unwanted aquatic pests, and the advice has been updated to be effective against gold clams – find out more below. High catch rates have been a feature over winter, with the Tongariro River achieving the third highest rate in 38 years – only slightly down on the outstanding figure achieved last year.  Large numbers of fish remain in rivers, offering some outstanding fishing over the coming months. This is a favourite time of year for many anglers, as longer days and warmer weather present more options to target trout. Many river anglers are already starting to enjoy success with a dry-fly, yet indicator nymphing, euro nymphing and even swinging a small lure can all deliver results when conditions are suitable. The key to success is to adapt your fishing style to suit the conditions. Boat and kayak anglers also have plenty to enjoy. In the great lake smelt are on the move with hungry trout following behind. Harling can be an effective method for targeting these trout in shallower water. Smaller lakes such as Lake Otamangakau and Lake Kuratau are also open, presenting even more stillwater options. If you are planning a fishing trip, make sure you buy a Taupō fishing licence before you hit the water. Simply head over to our ‘online licence store’ – www.doc.govt.nz/FishingLicence  Finally, remember to always carry your licence  when you go fishing in the Taupō District. Tight lines. James Barnett Editor

Fewer anglers, heaps of trout! As other fishing districts around the country open, many anglers shift their attention away from Taupō. This is great news for those who visit at this time of year – less angling pressure means undisturbed water is easier to find. In addition, trout are present in high numbers and spread throughout many rivers.  The fact that they can be tempted using a variety of methods is just icing on the cake! Anglers can expect to catch bright, chrome fresh-run fish as well as darker-coloured recovering trout.  Migrating trout are focused on moving upstream, so techniques that get flies deep will have a better chance of intercepting them. Many trout that have been in the river for a while will be recovering well. The term ‘slabs’ is a rather unfortunate way to describe these incredible wild fish as they battle to recover condition after the rigors of spawning. These can often be large early-run fish that have adapted to a diet of aquatic nymphs and are now turning their attention to the surface – offering exciting dry fly action over coming months.

Summary of the river creel survey. Standard creel surveys were undertaken on the Tongariro, Tauranga-Taupo and Hinemaiaia rivers between May and September 2023. Creel surveys were distributed throughout the season based upon a stratified random sampling design. The number of scheduled surveys each month is determined by the known angling effort of that particular month, with more surveys scheduled during busier periods (Tables 1 & 2). Tongariro River. This summary will primarily focus on the Tongariro River, which has been regularly surveyed since 1957.  The 2023 winter fishing season was exceptionally dry with the only significant rain observed at the beginning and at the end of the season, resulting in a very dry June, July and August. Nevertheless, the fishing was still good and trout were present in the main stem of the river throughout the season. The overall estimated catch rate for the 2023 season was 0.61 fish per hour (1 legal sized trout every 1 hour & 38 minutes) based upon 195 interviews. This is the third highest catch rate calculated for the Tongariro out of the last 38 years and down slightly on the peak observed during 2022. Catch rates have generally improved during the last three decades with improved methods and a better understanding of the fishery (Table 3 & Fig 1). Tongariro River surveys are broken down into three main sections of river: Lower, Middle & Upper. The Lower is from SH1 downstream to Lake Taupo, the Middle is from SH1 upstream to the Red Hut Bridge and the Upper is from the Red Hut upstream to The Fence Pool. The Bridge Pool attracted the most anglers with 77% of interviews for the Lower section coming from this area alone. The most popular sections in the Middle were the Major Jones accounting for 26.6% and Breakfast 20.2%. In the Upper section Boulder, Boulder Reach and the Blue pools were all over 20%. Tongariro River trout. During each creel survey, any trout that have been caught and kept by anglers are weighed, measured, sexed and their maturity identified by fishery staff. A total of 37 rainbows were measured and weighed this winter on the Tongariro and these fish averaged 500mm and 1.5 kg (3.3lbs) with an overall condition factor of 42.6 (Table 4). After the exceptional fish encountered last year, 2023 saw a return to more typical trout sizes – lengths, weights, and condition factors comparable to rainbows from the winter of 2017 (Table 4). The heaviest trout weighed during the Tongariro angler surveys was a jack measuring 535mm and weighing an impressive 2.55kg (5.6lbs) with a condition factor of 60, caught nymphing at the Boulder Pool.Methods. Anglers still favoured upstream indicator nymphing techniques with 69.2% of anglers interviewed on the Tongariro River using this method. This was followed by wet liners using sinking lines on 21.5%, euro nymphing on 4.1% and spey on 5.1%. These figures are almost identical to those from the previous winter. Angler satisfaction. Anglers were asked four questions pertaining to their satisfaction in a particular season. Questions relate to the size and quality of the fish that they are catching, their angling success, and their angling enjoyment. Respondents are asked to rate the first 3 questions on a Likert-type scale from 1 to 10 (where 1 is terrible and 10 is excellent). The scores can be seen in Table 5. On average, anglers rated the size and quality of the fish that they were catching this season at 6.9 out of 10. The average score has remained above 7 since 2019 and mirrors the significant improvement observed in average size, weight, and condition during recent years. Anglers rated their angling success at 5.6 out of 10 which is low when compared with recent years despite the solid catch rates observed. The average angling enjoyment score was 9.3 out of 10. The average score has remained above 9/10 since 2008, which saw poor catch rates and poor fish. The final question asked if anything detracts or spoils their fishing. Almost 63% of anglers asked couldn’t think of anything that detracted from their angling enjoyment. Of the remainder, 9.4% cited bad manners or poor angler etiquette as the main detraction, while 8.9% thought overcrowding was the biggest issue. Guided anglers. Only 0.5% of anglers encountered during surveys this winter were being guided. This is lower than expected – the figure tends to range between 3-7% of all anglers interviewed during a more traditional year. Female anglers. A total of 8 female anglers were encountered (4.1%) fishing on the Tongariro River this winter, which is down slightly on the 5-6% encountered annually. Tauranga-Taupō and Hinemaiaia rivers. The Tauranga-Taupō River was low and clear for most of the winter with rainfall well below what we would normally expect. Despite the low flows and clear conditions, the TT produced an excellent catch rate of 0.75 fish per hour (1 legal-sized fish every 1 hour and 20 minutes) which was the fourth highest out of the last 24 seasons and comparable with the winter of 2019. Rainbows kept by TT anglers averaged 502mm and 1.4kg with an overall condition factor of 40.9. The Hinemaiaia River also experienced some good fishing this winter with an estimated catch rate of 0.78 fish per hour (1 legal sized fish every 1 hour & 17 minutes) which is down on the previous two seasons but similar to 2019 and the fourth highest on record.  Rainbows kept averaged 510mm & 1.7kg with an overall condition factor of 43.6. Although the rainbows were 10mm shorter than last season, they remained the same average weight at 1.7kg.

How to fish: Harling Lake Taupō. If you are new to the Taupō Fishing District or just looking to try something new, you may benefit from our classic ‘How to fish’ videos on YouTube. Harling is an effective method to catch trout in Lake Taupō during the spring and early summer, when bait fish (smelt) gather in shallow water. Our ‘Harling Lake Taupō’ video explains what gear you need, how to set it up and how to use it successfully.Check out the video here>

Check Clean Dry updated for gold glams. Fishery Rangers spoke to anglers and other boat users over Labour weekend, alerting people to the presence of freshwater gold clams in the North Island and explaining how Check Clean Dry (CCD) has been upgraded.  It was surprising to hear the majority of boat users were not aware of gold clams – approx 75%. This underlines the importance of education and highlights the work that still needs to be done. Looking ahead, the Taupō fishery team will continue to provide assistance, helping to keep the angling community informed.Check Clean Dry (CCD) has long been an important tool helping to stop the spread of aquatic pests including didymo and hornwort. The arrival of gold clams in New Zealand presents additional challenges so CCD advice has been adapted in response. Here are the treatment options for gear made of absorbent material:·       Hot water – Above 60°C for at least one minute, or Between 50 to 54°C (hot household tap-water) for at least five minutes, or Above 45°C for at least 20 minutes.·       Freezing – Until solid (i.e., freeze overnight).·       Bleach solution – Mix household bleach in a 10% (1 in 10) ratio with water and immerse for 1 hour.·       Isopropyl alcohol – apply 70% isopropyl alcohol.Further information about gold clams along with details of the specific CCD guidance relating to gold clams can be found on the MPI, Biosecurity NZ website>The freshwater gold clam (also known as the Asian gold clam) is a small invasive clam, discovered downstream of the Taupō Fishing District, in the Waikato River. Anglers should remain vigilant and report possible sightings to MPI. If you think you have seen a freshwater gold clam, note the location and take a photo if possible. Then report to Biosecurity NZ either on 0800 80 99 66, or complete their online reporting form>

Winter limits continue to protect trout. Winter limits remain in place in Taupō rivers until 1 December to protect spawning trout. This is important given a significant proportion of rainbow trout migrate up our rivers to spawn at this time of year. Peak rainbow trout spawning levels usually occur around August/September however many will continue to spawn through to November. So don’t get caught out, if in doubt reference your Taupō Fishing District map before you go fishing. Also once on the river, keep a lookout for our distinctive fishery signs. A cool movie clip captured using a drone, shows late spawning Taupō trout… see video clip>

Waipa fish trap -September data. A single flood event restricted trap operation for four days in September. This was a rare occurrence this year given the dry winter conditions experienced on the Central Plateau. The rainbow trout are reaching the peak of their spawning activity, while browns have largely completed spawning at this time of year. A total of 406 rainbows were processed through the upstream pen, consisting of 204 hens and 202 jacks. Only 22 browns were processed, all of which were hens. The largest fish was a brown hen that tipped the scales at 3.75kgs, and measured 640mm with a Condition Factor of 51.6. Fin-clip scars confirmed this was her fourth consecutive spawning run, having previously passed through the trap in 2022, 2021 and 2020. Waipa trap reports, 2023 winter season>

Report illegal activity. Fishery Rangers responded to a call from a member of the community who spotted a net in Lake Taupō.  Rangers successfully removed an illegal net near the Wiaotaka River mouth at Stump Bay.The fishing net had already killed nearly 50 trout and 5 ducks. Rangers then had the grim task of cutting every tangled trout and duck from the net. The rainbow trout had been in magnificent condition, ready to start their spawning migration.Anglers and other community members play an important role helping to protect the Taupō fishery. If you see illegal activity, please call the Taupō Fishery Hotline 027 2907758. In an emergency always call 111.

Whio ducklings. If you are a regular visitor to the Tongariro River, you will undoubtedly have seen a whio or blue duck. At this time of year you could also be lucky enough to see a brood of whio ducklings.Trout anglers have a special affinity with whio. Both whio and trout thrive in fast flowing rivers and streams that provide cold, clean, clear water. They also benefit from stable banks, a forest canopy overhead, and lots of varied invertebrates. Casting a trout fly in a stunning setting with whio for company is a special experience. If you are lucky enough to encounter ducklings please give them plenty of space. If you have a dog with you please ensure it is under control.For more information about whio visit the DOC website>