Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 11 January 2024

We're well into summer now and a switch has flicked on the fish.

It's likely been triggered by an abundance of insects around in the warmer conditions and longer days. Some anglers have even reported hearing the first of the cicadas for the summer too.

With high soil-moisture levels through December, we're picking it's going to be a belter year for cicadas because it makes it easier for them to hatch out of the ground.

And a belter season for cicadas means a belter time for anglers too because trout simply can't resist these large protein packs when they hit the water. If these noisy insects aren't about in your neck of the woods they certainly won't be far off.

The fish are looking up anyway, happily feeding off the surface, with plenty of other bugs around including spiders, grasshoppers and beetles to name a few. It is often said that the best fishing of the season starts when the large terrestrial insects appear. 

Well, now's the time, so get into it.    

Hutt River and Tributaries

Click the link for live updates and forecasts for the Hutt Valley.

Live river flow information for the Hutt and Akatarawa can be viewed by clicking the highlighted river links. If you're after more info on the waterways in this part of the region, find out more about How To Fish the Hutt River here, or check out our dedicated access website where you can download maps and access instructions.   

Backcountry angling on the Hutt River so close to town. Credit Andrew Harding.

Kapiti Coast 

The Otaki River holds plenty of fish even at SH1. Credit Phil Teal.

Wairarapa 

Click the link for live updates and forecasts for the Wairarapa region. 

Live river flow information for the Ruamahanga and major tributaries - the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau - can be viewed by clicking the highlighted river links. If you're after more info on the waterways in this part of the region, check out our dedicated access website where you can download maps and access instructions.

A good brown from as small Ruamahanga tributary. Credit: Andrew Harding.

Manawatu

Click the link for live updates and forecasts for the Manawatu region.

Live river flow information for the Manawatu and its main tributaries - the Oroua, Pohangina, Mangatainoka and Mangahao - can be viewed by clicking the highlighted river links. If you're after more info on the waterways in this part of the region, check out our dedicated access website where you can download maps and access instructions.

Wetting a line on the Pohangina River. Credit: Matt Kavermann.

Rangitikei 

Click the link for live updates and forecasts for the Rangitikei region.

Live river flow information for the Rangitikei and Hautapu can be viewed by clicking the highlighted river links. If you're after more info on the waterways in this part of the region, check out our dedicated access website where you can download maps and access instructions.

Rangitikei backcountry - a stunning river and equally stunning fishery. Credit: Hamish Carnachan.

Taranaki Ringplain

Click the link for live updates and forecasts for the Ringplain region.

The latest live flow data for Taranaki Ringplain rivers can be found here. If you're after more info on the waterways in this part of the region, check out our dedicated access website where you can download maps and access instructions.

The Hangatahua (Stony) River looking very fishy. Credit: Allen Stancliff.

Waimarino

Click the link for live updates and forecasts for the Waimarino region.

Live river flow information for the Mangawhero River can be viewed by clicking the highlighted river links. If you're after more info on the waterways in this part of the region, check out our dedicated access website where you can download maps and access instructions.   

There are some great fish to be found on the Central Plateau. Credit: Hamish Carnachan.

Spider imitations work year-round but are a great large dry fly imitation to try mid-summer too. Credit: Hamish Carnachan.   

When the weather warms and settles, and river flows fall over summer, it's one of the most exciting times on the angling calendar - terrestrial time! 

It's a time when cicadas emerge along with grasshoppers and other large terrestrial insects and they are prolific from the lowlands to the backcountry.

You know when grasshoppers start leaping around your tent that tying on a large, leggy dry fly imitation is a sure bet to tempt a trout. 

With the trout often a little lethargic when the weather heats up, these XOS-sized flies are great for getting fish back on the bite. Trout have a hard time passing up large protein packs which offer lots of energy for very little effort.

That's why it's a good idea to fish large terrestrial imitations into all likely water, whether you can spot a trout or not. Probe the pocket water and drift as close as you dare in and under overhanging cover where a trout might be seeking refuge from the sun.

Even though most anglers go straight to cicada patterns, it pays to have a variety of large flies in your box - be sure to have an equal mix of spiders, hoppers and stimulators.    

You don't need to be a fly fisher to get amongst the large terrestrial action either. 

A dry fly rig for spinning gear (concept copyright Hamish Carnachan).   

Some years back I encountered one of our Lower North Lowdown weekly fishing report readers on the river who had read about trout being on a terrestrial insect feeding-frenzy with all the cicadas, hoppers and water spiders active during summer. 

Being a spin fisher who didn't have the time or inclination to learn to fly fish, he asked how he could get amongst the action. 

That's exactly why Wellington Fish & Game produced the Advanced Spin Fishing how-to guide. Fortunately I had some copies in the truck, so I sent him on his way with one.   

If you are in the same boat and want to learn how to fish flies (and other effective lures) on your threadline gear, click the link above.

Otherwise you can contact us and we'll mail you a hard copy.   

- By Fish & Game Communications / Senior Field Officer Hamish Carnachan. 

Don't get an unwelcome surprise by Greater Wellington Regional Council's river bulldozing impacting your day on the river.

For information on the weekly activity schedule, please contact GWRC.

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