The Store report for may 17-22

Great week with heavy rain in the middle that has affected all the rivers giving them volume and colour and naturally the Tongariro has cleared first and though it has a little additional water is looking good as I write, with conditions perfect for fish to move. There were a few hardy souls when I came over the river early this morning, it would have been very cold as we had a zero start and a heavy frost, but the river looked great.

The catchment and spring fed streams didnt fair as well as the Tongariro with a huge amount of water and the first real wash since late summer, they are still dropping and harbouring quite a lot of colour or sediment, which will as the day continues clear quietly. Their river levels are not hugely high though they have greater volume that the earlier part of the week, but they have significant more colour than the Tongariro, mainly due to run off. Anglers are fishing but finding conditions rather tough, once they clear a little bit more with the sediment dropping out the fish will move for sure.

As the rivers were generally low and clear due to no significant rain they were in great need to remove debris that has built up over many weeks of no rain and fairly warm temperatures. The turning over of the river beds will be great hopefully providing some good holding water for fish that have been at the mouths fore several weeks now.Fish have been coming inside of the mouths and feeding but not holding for any length of time, this rain, reducing water temperatues, providing good holding water by way of a freshening and a little additional water is just what we need.

River mouths have all fished very well over recent weeks, still fish holding off them all, and the smaller mouths will fish over the next few days clearing first. It will be the bravest that can tolerate the cold conditions best!

The forecast is settled, a very cold southerly stream is due friday and saturday with some late night showers, though the weather will be relatively good. Take care on the water and feel free to call for an update and or accommodation anytime cheers pete and stella 073868953