Trout Are On The Rise  

Pictured - A stunning high country brown taken on a cicada imitation (Credit: Nick King).   

Forget about this cold front moving through - the weather is going to be hot this weekend with fishing to match. 

While cicadas are starting to make their presence known in the Hutt Valley, trout are still slow on the take but that will likely change over the coming weeks as they switch diet to this food source. 

Further north, the cicadas are out in force and in deafening numbers up around the Central High Country. And with low rivers and warm temperatures the fishing has been sensational.

The short burst of rain and cooler temperatures this week has been great for the entire lower North Island fishery, rejuvenating trout and revitalising the rivers. 

The moisture in the air has also resulted in good hatches of mayflies and caddis on the lowland mainstem rivers, and an amazing rise was taking place on the Ruamahanga this morning when staff were onsite to take pics for this report.

Add into the mix passion hoppers hitting the water too, and trout will certainly be 'eyes up' over the coming weeks.  

All in all the fishing is set to fire this weekend with warm sunny skies, calm conditions and trout that have had a good reset.

Make sure you get out on the water.            

Here's the outlook:

Hutt River and tributaries

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The Hutt, Akatarawa, Pakarutahi and tribs are all low but have had a minor recharge from sporadic rain this week. Conditions are perfect for the weekend so make the most of the fabulous fishing on your doorstep if you live in this part of the region.             

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

Kapiti Coast 

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The Otaki, Ohau and Waikanae all had a nice little pulse of fresh water from the recent rain. However, prevailing low and dry conditions mean they have already returned to fishable flows - perfect timing for the weekend and superb overhead conditions to match.       

The Otaki River at SH1 this morning (Credit: Phil Teal)

Wairarapa 

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The Ruamahanga, Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau are all green-light for go. A great hatch on the Ruamahanga this morning and reports of excellent fishing over the last week. Drift dives on some of the main tribs earlier this week revealed encouraging numbers and significantly cooler water temps, which which will be driving some some trout migration up from the mainstem.    

The Ruamahanga River at 'The Cliffs' this morning (Credit: Hamish Carnachan)

Manawatu

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The Manawatu River is low and clear, as can be seen from the image below. Similarly, the Pohangina, Orua, Mangatainoka and Makakahi are all in great shape for fishing and with the warm conditions forecast we're likely to see trout moving out of the mainstem in search of cooler water in the tribs.     

The Manawatu River at Ashurst this morning (Credit: Matt Kavermann)

Rangitikei 

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Low clear rivers prevail in the Central High Country with reports of algae in the Rangitikei creating a slight nuisance - hopefully the forecast rain next week will blow this out. Anglers have reported having success in the tribs and higher up in the Rangitikei. Other river flows in the catchment are perfect for fishing now and through this weekend. 

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

Tip of The Week - Wairarapa Fishing Overview

Andrew Harding reckons the Wairarapa fishery is one of the most underrated in the country. 

Need some encouragement to come and check out the amazing and diverse fishery in Wairarapa? Check out this article here with details on where to go and what to expect. 

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.  

Wellington Fish & Game staff are undertaking robust science 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.       

Noticeboard

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

 9:00 pm Tuesday 15 February to 2:00 am Wednesday 16 February 2022
 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.