By STACEY BODGER
TAUPO - Anglers on Taupo rivers are enjoying the best fishing conditions in 10 years - but say the big trout are hard to catch.
Department of Conservation data shows that the number of trout in Lake Taupo and its tributaries is the highest since surveying began in 1990.
Even better news is that the average weight and length of rainbow and brown trout have increased about 200gm and 12mm from last year.
DoC's fishery field operations manager in Turangi, Rob McLay, said the Lake Taupo trout appeared to be reaching the peak of their five-yearly population cycle.
That, coupled with climate changes as the La Nina weather pattern receded, had created superb fishing conditions.
Mr McLay said trout size and numbers depended on a chain of factors, including the availability of smelt - a small fish which trout feed on - which was in turn influenced by plankton levels in Lake Taupo.
"Conditions aren't so great that I'd say they were abnormal, but the fishing is definitely at the top end of the scale," he said.
"And if this isn't the peak of the trout cycle, the fish could be bigger and even more plentiful next year."
Each month, a team of divers drift side by side in selected streams and rivers and count the number of trout.
DoC also has a fish trap on a tributary of the Tongariro River which weighs, measures and marks each trout that passes through.
Mr McLay said the Tongariro River data had been exceptional. Last June, 339 fish were counted; last week's count totalled 902.
Rainbow trout had grown from an average weight of 1.75kg and length of 532mm last year to 1.91kg and 545mm.
The average brown trout had increased from 2.54kg and 575mm to 2.84kg and 602mm.
Anglers fishing at Waitahunui River, southeast of Lake Taupo, yesterday said conditions were better than they had been in a long time - but the fishing was hard.
"I've been down four times in the past two months and I've seen some very fine ones caught in very good condition - but I'm damned if I can get one of the buggers myself," said Aucklander Alex McMillan.
"They're in very good condition and, from speaking to local anglers, I'd say everyone's pretty happy."
Arthur Nixon, who has fished around Lake Taupo for 25 years, said the fishing was not as good as it once was because the area had been "hammered."
"I believe the lake should be stocked because there's just not as much food in there as there was 20 years ago.
"But I guess I've been spoilt in my time and the fish are bigger than they've been for a long while - although it's taken me four hours to catch one today."
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