THE HUTT VALLEY ANGLER - Christchurch Fishing and Casting Club

to find that the river was running high and coloured. Steve had been
monitoring river levels on the web and was convinced that they would be
able to fish but it became obvious that their choices would be very limited.
They checked out the Waiohine but found it was also running high and
quite dirty. They did find another spot on the main river where they could
fish along a clear edge but there was no chance to move up or down in the
river or to cross. Gary Jacobson did manage to catch a small Rainbow Trout
on a nymph but they soon ran out of fishable water. A quick look over
Gladstone Bridge confirmed that there would be no more fishing that day.
There was little else to do so they retired to the Gladstone Pub/Cafe for a
coffee and to tell a few lies.
August on the Tongariro River. A report from Phil McKeown
It has been a pretty busy month for me on the Tongariro River.
Having fished 3 weekends with 5 sessions we came out with some pretty
good results.
The first weekend I fished 2 sessions with Ray Wright, (ex-member of
HVAC), as Paul was having a break in Wanganui. The Saturday afternoon
we spent fishing the upper river. Starting at Boulder Reach, we had the
pool to ourselves which was a surprise. The pool looked very inviting with a
nice touch of colour after some rain earlier in the week. It wasn’t long
before a solid take was felt and a few minutes later a nice fresh hen was on
the bank. On the board early so confidence went up a notch or two as the
adrenalin started working. But something must have told the trout we
were about and that was it, 1 fish for the pool.
Onward and upward we went to the Cliff Pool. As the pool is quite small I
left it to Ray and sat and watched him fish through without any
success. The next pool proved to be a bit better and another hen came to
the bank. It was a nice fresh hen about 2½ lbs. and was duly returned. Ray
again found the going tough and no further fish came to the net. Being
such a good day with clear skies and no wind to speak of, we were
beginning to wonder what was needed to tempt the fish. Time was getting
on so we ventured to the next pool. Now this pool had been performing for
Paul and myself in prior weekends so hopes were high for more of the
same. Alas it wasn’t to be, but I did manage to tempt a very nice plump hen
which was despatched and put aside to take home. My first kept fish for
some months and upon gutting and cleaning I was pleased with the lovely
orange fillets. As Ray hadn’t been fishing for a while we socialised Saturday
14
Hutt Valley Angling Club Incorporated - September 2012