Reel Life November 2025 - Wellington

Anglers Reap Rewards From Fine Weather

The past month has been a rewarding period for trout anglers across the Wellington Fish & Game region, with conditions finally stabilising after a turbulent spring. November brought a welcome shift from unsettled weather to clearer skies and warmer temperatures, creating ideal opportunities for chasing the brown and rainbow trout in the region’s diverse waterways.

Image above: Ben Ellison with a stonking lower North Island brown – amazing condition for so early in the season.

Weather and River Flow Conditions

Early in the month, anglers faced intermittent rain and blustery conditions, typical of late spring. These weather patterns caused river levels to fluctuate, particularly in the mainstem rivers such as the Hutt and Ruamahanga. However, the rain events were relatively short-lived, and tributaries cleared quickly thanks to their smaller catchments.

This resilience meant that even during unsettled spells, anglers who targeted feeder streams often found excellent fishing conditions and good numbers of trout yet to move out of their spawning areas.

By mid-November, the region experienced a stretch of settled weather with clear skies and stable flows making for prime trout fishing.

Reports from anglers and staff note that fish have been in superb condition, reflecting the benefits of a winter without major flooding and consistent spring flows.

With settled weather and plenty of hungry fish about, now’s the time to grab your licence and get into the action.                   

Impact on Fishing Success

A prime Ruamahanga trout destine for the smoker - the condition of the fish this season is superb.

These improved conditions translated into excellent fishing across the region.

The Hutt River, this amazing fishery so close to Wellington city, has seen plenty of chunky browns taken, with some specimens estimated at around 7lb.

Recent drift dives conducted by staff confirmed robust trout numbers upstream and downstream of the Riverlink project works, reinforcing the resilience of the trout population and reinforcing its reputation as a world-class urban fishery.

Smaller tributaries such as the Pakarutahi, Whakatikei, and Akatarawa have also fished well gauging by angler reports. These streams cleared quickly after rain and offered productive fishing for those willing to explore beyond the mainstem.

In the Wairarapa, rivers like the Ruamahanga and its tributaries benefited from the same weather pattern, with anglers reporting strong catches and fish in excellent post-spawn condition. There are excellent numbers of both browns and rainbows in the mainstem river, ranging between 2-4lb. Brown beetles are on the wing so fishing on warm still evenings has provided awesome sport of anglers.

The Manawatu River is perhaps the stand-out so far this season, though, with fish in the best condition we’ve ever seen in the mid/upper reaches.

The absence of major floods over winter has clearly paid dividends, allowing trout to recover and feed aggressively as water temperatures rise.

Fishing Techniques and Tips

November’s conditions favored a mix of methods. Heavy nymphs have been effective, particularly with the higher flows. Softbaits have also paid dividends when there’s a bit of colour in the water.  

Dry-fly action will begin to pick up now that the temperatures are warming, with beetle and early terrestrial patterns coming into play.

For spin anglers, small bladed spinners and natural-colored lures will work well in the clearer water.

Remember to focus on structure. Get your flies and lures in areas around rock groynes, submerged logs and bank-side cover. These spots provide trout with feeding lanes and shelter, making them reliable targets during variable flows.

Overall Outlook

The combination of stable weather, clean river conditions, and strong trout populations has made the past month one of the most productive periods so far this season.

With summer approaching, anglers can expect the fishing to continue to heat up. If November is any indication, the Wellington Fish & Game region is set for an exceptional summer of trout fishing!

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