Owen Poad takes us night fishing in New Zealand.
This is the story of how a night fishing expedition goes here in New Zealand. The whole exercise is based on the fact that many of our local (Rotorua) lakes do not have enough spawning streams to sustain the trout population and fish have to be released to maintain numbers. These are released at known points and as these fish mature at 2-4 years of age, they return to their place of release to spawn on the gravel beaches. They generally come in at night with limited numbers during the day. There is strong controversy at present as stationary jiggers from boats are removing large numbers of mature fish from the lakes leaving very declining numbers for the shore fisherman. Blank nights have become common in the past couple of seasons and a couple of fish is regarded as a good catch. They may be good fish though, weighing up to ten pounds.
Last night I decided that we would fish Lake Rerewhakaaitu, a lake which is quite high in altitude, has no outlets and only minor inlets and is totally stocked. Quite shallow and has a high bird population and the fish are generally smaller, 2.5 to 4 lbs although I have had one in excess of 9lb. It is quite exposed to wind, has 4wd tracks through the trees around the edge and is dominated by Mt Tarawera towering nearby. An inactive volcano that destroyed Maori settlements and did a lot of damage in 1886. www.nzhistory.net.nz/eruption-of-mt-tarawera
Roy and I left home mid afternoon in calm but overcast conditions, taking our Suzuki Vitara which although on road tyres has a diff lock to handle the muddy and overgrown tracks. It takes about 1.5 hours driving to get to the lake and to wind through the tracks to get to Gumboot Point, our favourite night fishing destination. It's a small island which has a gravel bar about 200 yards long connecting it to the main shoreline. The bar is gravel and depending on lake level, can be negotiated by 4wd if the lake level is low or may not be able to be reached even in chest waders if its high. Quite dangerous to negotiate in the dark as it falls away especially on one side but can be fished on both sides. The island at the end is covered in willows but surrounded by big rocks which eat streamers on a regular basis.
This is gumboot point in the summer with low lake levels. Mt Tarawera is behind the trees on the left.
We left the road and on arrival at the lake we were faced with our first problem. There was a howling gale but we decided that perhaps we would be able to find some calm water around Gumboot Point. Down to the 4wd track to drive the 2kms to get there and we were faced with swimming pool sized mud holes. My companion isnt that brave.... We sidled around the edges, got through and then down the track, overgrown blackberry pulling at the mirrors and scratching the panels and sliding this way and that as the mudholes dictated. A huge bang as we bottomed on a rock was some concern but I have given up on my Suzuki, I now accept that its going to get damaged and scratched. It was so overgrown we missed the turn to the point and then had to drive back along the beach half in the water to get there.
Blowing a gale, spray coming off the waves, normal people would not have got out of their car but we did. Parked in the brush, had a cup of tea and then into the water. For once, being a lefty was a benefit as my line was downwind. In the past weeks, I have had a strained wrist so I was using a 5wt rod lined with a reasonably short head 7wt line. It went like a dream. But no fish (using a small streamer) and I spotted a patch of calmish water in the lea of the island. Easy to cast, changed flies as it got darker, Roy landed a fish further back in the wind while I got nothing but a pluck.
Eventually deciding I was wasting my time, I retreated and spoke to Roy who had numerous takes and a couple on the end. On guess what - a globug. Swapping over to a very small bright lumo, second cast I too had a take which came unstuck and then numerous plucks and bumps. Finally a good hookup, landed the fish which had totally swallowed the fly. I was going to replace it with another but decided that perhaps a normal night fly would be better. Result - nothing, and I called it a night to have a cup of tea, a bite to eat and have a think.
Back onto my bright lumo, second cast a hit so I responded with a quick strike and it was on. Normally I would wait for the tighten but realised that I was nymph fishing and required a positive strike. A while longer then a very good fish, my rod was bent right down and it still took me to the backing. Landed and released a jack of about 4 lbs. A while later and Roy packed it in, cold and getting hooked on the rocks. He too had landed another good fish and also realised that the quick strike was the answer. The wind still howling and blowing spray, what a wonderful experience and I loved every minute. Fishing at night means you have to rely on feel to detect takes and to cast your fly. You dont know the size of your fish as they fight somewhere out in the dark and all you can feel is the beat of the tail. They frighten easily if you shine your headlamp as they get closer to the shore. I guess it's not everyones cup of tea but it can be very addictive.
But wait - theres more! We now had to negotiated the muddy track in the dark. It was almost impossible to tell where we were as the blackberry was higher than our vehicle, we just kept plugging on and on until the big mud holes. I sidled round the other side this time, Roy expressing doubts about our ability to get home and what were we going to do. What I didn't mention was that he was the chief pusher if we got really stuck but I didnt want to frighten him unnecessarily.
Well - we got home around 11.30. Fishing Lake Rerewhakaaitu at night is a once or twice a season experience but we just have to do it while we can.