Sunny Skies Return for Weekend Angling    

Pictured - The dry-fly fishing was superb before the rain arrived but will return when river levels return to normal (Copyright: Nick King)    

After some horrendous weather, including significant flooding in parts of the region, finally the weather and river flows are returning to a fishable state.

Conditions are aligned for great angling over the weekend with falling river flows, sunny skies and cicadas out in force. 

While some of the larger rivers might not clear until Saturday, already the smaller tributaries are fishable and the trout are hungry after the floods.

With more rain returning towards the middle of next week, there's added incentive to get out on the water this weekend while everything is in the angler's favour. 

Here's the outlook:

Hutt River and tributaries

Click here for live weather updates.

The Hutt has some extra flow and tea colour to it but is fishable this morning - trout would probably respond very well to streamers swung across and down. The Akatarawa and Pakarutahi are nearly back to normal. All systems are go for fishing this weekend.                

The Hutt River at Totara Park this morning - clearing nicely (Credit: Al Markham)  

Kapiti Coast 

Click here for live weather updates.

The Otaki, Ohau and Waikanae are pretty much all back to normal fishable flows, albeit carrying a hint of colour. They will continue to drop back quickly with no foreseeable rain over the coming days. 

The Otaki River at SH1 this morning - a bit of colour but fishable (Credit: Phil Teal) 

Wairarapa 

Click here for live weather updates.

The Ruamahanga is still large and carrying plenty of colour after a significant flood over the weekend which saw it spilling its banks in parts. There is a clear edge this morning, however, with the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau all dropping quickly it could be fishable come Saturday - conditions look great for spinning this weekend. Fly anglers will find the tribs at good flow and clarity.     

The Waiohine River at SH2 this morning - extra flow but lovely and clear (Credit: Hamish Carnachan)

Manawatu

Click here for live weather updates.  

It's a very muddy Manawatu River this morning so check the flows and look to head into the upper reaches this weekend if you're set on fishing the mainstem. Otherwise, the Pohangina and Orua are already clear and fishable. Similarly the Mangatainoka has a hint of colour but is back at a good level for fishing. Plenty of options for anglers in this part of the region over the weekend.          

The Oroua River at Almadale this morning - low and clear already (Credit: Horizons)

Rangitikei 

Click here for live weather updates.

The Rangitikei is lovely and clear up at Pukeokahu but carry lots of colour at Mangaweka despite being at a reasonable flow for fishing. This could be because there's a slip still bleeding out, or perhaps sediment flowing in from the bridge construction works at the Mangaweka campground. Check the webcam before heading out if you're fishing below Mangaweka, otherwise head up to Mangaohane or Springvale.      

The Rangitikei River at Pukeokahu this morning (Credit: Horizons) 

Video Of The Week 

Increasingly Fish & Game is having to confront and counter warped views on interactions between native and introduced fish, often promulgated by people and groups who are basing their opinions on personal prejudice against trout, rather than the facts and robust science.  

Wellington Fish & Game staff are undertaking research to unravel the relationships between sports fish and native fish in New Zealand, and what we are finding in some areas is that after more than a century of co-evolution these relationships are more complex than previously thought.

Here Dr Matt Kavermann presents a short film investigating a sport fish removal experiment from a 7.5 ha shallow lagoon within the Wairarapa Moana wetland system, and the unexpected consequences that have ensued. Click on the screenshot above to view.       

River Webcams

Click the screen shot below to go to Horizon's website showing the list of available river webcams.

Noticeboard

• Wellington Fish & Game has been advised of the following dates for flushing flows from the Moawhango Dam:

 9:00 pm Tuesday 15 March to 2:00 am Wednesday 16 March 2022
 9:00 pm Tuesday 3 May to 2:00 am Wednesday 4 May 2022 (river ecological state dependent)

• River Bulldozing - Don't get an unwelcome surprise by Greater Wellington Regional Council's river bulldozing ruining your day on the river. The upcoming activity schedule can be found here.

Email Wellington Communications and Field Officer Hamish Carnachan if you'd like any fishing or freshwater-related items posted to this noticeboard.

​*This report was accurate at time of writing. For your safety please ensure you check the latest weather and river flow information before you head out on the water.