Taupo and local rivers in March

[skankyHO]

Ok guys, the airfares are booked and we're coming over in March. The question is: "where"?
So where's the place to be in March? What's the fishing like then? Any thoughts or ideas on location?
Budget is pretty tight (what with the hot water system dying - I always wanted an indoor heated swimming pool under the house), so we're after budget ideas as well.
At the moment the party is two older guys and me - so Shane, I might be wanting to book you for some back country      and leave the older guys at the Waitahanui..... althought don't tell 'em I said they are "older".....      
Cheers

[taupof]

Seems like no one wants to tell you their secret spots huh! Nice name by the way SkankyHO. Ok since everyone else is being tight lipped i'll reply. March is a fickle month in the Taupo rivers, it used to be the start of the winter season but weather systems have moved that forward. What you do get in March is the early running trout coming in and these tend to be a lot bigger. There are still a few Brown trout coming in through the river mouths and so rip fishing is worth a go for those plus those bigger Rainbow Jacks coming in. All the upper sections on the Taupo Rivers are open. The Tauranga Taupo and Hinemaiaia are worth a good play around, and as I say the Browns are in the systems and so if there is a Cicada hatch the Tongariro can be fun. Lake Otamangakau is worth a stalk with tiny black Nymphs or again with a Cicada pattern.

Backcountry, yes thank you for mentioning that river Skanky!!!
All the backcountry rivers are open and the fish will be fat and hard fighting. Your only problem will be getting onto water that hasn't been thrashed to death from the summer holidays. There are options available to you there but you should talk to your guide one on one for referral about those.

Hope that helps

CatchNRelease

[Bigfish]

March just gone, the Tongariro was absolutely jam packed with fish.The river was very low and clear and the fish spooked easy.
But we still managed to catch heaps on the nymph right throughout the river all on naturals. I'm not an expert but I think due to the drought we had ,the river never got flushed and the spawning fish stayed in the river over summer.
So I think if it's another dry summer it could be the same again.As well as that you gotta go back country with Shane French.
I hope you enjoy you fishing in Godzone

[bruno]

Seems like no one wants to tell you their secret spots huh! Nice name by the way SkankyHO. Ok since everyone else is being tight lipped i'll reply. March is a fickle month in the Taupo rivers, it used to be the start of the winter season but weather systems have moved that forward. What you do get in March is the early running trout coming in and these tend to be a lot bigger. There are still a few Brown trout coming in through the river mouths and so rip fishing is worth a go for those plus those bigger Rainbow Jacks coming in. All the upper sections on the Taupo Rivers are open. The Tauranga Taupo and Hinemaiaia are worth a good play around, and as I say the Browns are in the systems and so if there is a Cicada hatch the Tongariro can be fun. Lake Otamangakau is worth a stalk with tiny black Nymphs or again with a Cicada pattern.

Backcountry, yes thank you for mentioning that river Skanky!!!
All the backcountry rivers are open and the fish will be fat and hard fighting. Your only problem will be getting onto water that hasn't been thrashed to death from the summer holidays. There are options available to you there but you should talk to your guide one on one for referral about those.

Hope that helps

CatchNRelease

[taupof]

Are you agreeing with me Bruno or what dude!!

[bruno]

Taupoof,
No, sorry I am new to the site and stuffed up my entry.  Sorry for the confusion.  I will be visiting the Waihou and Waimakariri and other neibouring rivers with a small group of guys (4 of us).  We have fished the areas during Oct/Nov, so it is not entirely new to us.   

I was hoping tp pick up informaton about the flies to use during that time of year (late Mar) and what to expect.  Any tips will be welcomed in terms of getting to work on the fly tying bench and other 'homework'.

I also want to try the Wirinaki,   Where would you suggest for that excursion.
Regrds
Bruno
Australia

[skankyHO]

Hey Bruno, if you really want to learn some new things that are amazingly simple, insightful and helpful, then book some time with Shane - even if it is just a morning. After almost 20 years of fly-fishing in saltwater, dams, streams, rivers I learnt so much from my day with Shane. At the very least take time out to call in to his shop and buy some of his indicators and ask some questions....... well worth the effort.   

[taupof]

Your check is in the post Skanky, thanks for the kind words though dude, I promise to look after you when you get here.

Hey bruno no probs on the post, just wondered if you were taking the piss out of me!
Wow the Waihou and Waimak huh. The Waihou was a haunt of mine for about 7 years solid. I used to fish the change of light with a small wet fly, soft hackle type of thing, cast it across and let it swing. Some VERY good fish used to come out in the dark, 5 pound plus type of trout. I also did a power of spinning on there as a younger kid, heaps of good fish in the 2 to 3.5 pound mark. Good access and the farmers were friendly as. March is still hot here in NZ and so stock up with dry flies. I think SkankyHO had me tie on a bloody size 20 last time I guided him, we could barely see it hit the water but watched as a nice 3.5 pounder took it off the surface and dash away with it. Pays to have all sizes in your fly box in March. Flash backs and tiny black Nymphs that can be used as droppers behind your dry fly are all good on both of these rivers. I heard from a friend who is a GURU on this water that if you fish the upper pools off Whites Road then take up some Glo Bugs with you, they love them!!
The Whirinaki, same techniques same flies bruno. The fact you are going in over March should mean the middle section up from the bridge should be do able. Now I have only fished this section once and I struggled with the crossings because the river was up but there is some spectacular water through here and I am led to believe the trout stocks are high.Swinging a wee wet through this water on a floating line can apparently be GREAT fun and I would have some of these in my fly box. Red Hair and coppers, anything black with rubber legs and flash back pheasant Tails will see you hooked up here dude.
Do you have John Kents North Island Trout Fishing Guide? This book will help with access points. Let me know if I can be of further help bruno and thanks for the post man.

[bruno]

That is a great help and I was glad to see you will maintain the site as you take a change of direction in your life.  We are really looking forward to getting into the scene there.  I know my mates will get a shudder when they see you have recommended some dark time fishing.  The last time we fished the Wauho or what ever, they had to drag me out of the water to go and get drinks!  It was our last day on the water, and I left them rising too!

Thanks so much for your help, time tio get to work on the fly tying bench.
Regards
Bruno
Brisbane, Australia.