Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 13 February 2025

Peak Cicada - Peak Summer Fishing!

Cicadas are out in full force and we've got a sunny and settled weather forecast for the entire weekend! It doesn't get much better. 

The fish being picked up on large terrestrial dry-fly patterns over the last week or so are truly exceptional - just check out some of the photos in this report that readers have sent in. 

Pictured - Summer Ellison stoked with a fantastic Wairarapa backcountry brown (Photo: Ben Ellison)

We've also seen some browns getting close to that magic 10lb mark too. With so much food around for the fish, could this be the year someone in the Wellington or Taranaki Fish & Game regions cracks it? 

Despite some intermittent rain events, the run of hot weather has seen water temperatures start to climb.

This means anglers may need to adapt if the trout are being finnicky - consider planning your excursions for early morning (when lower overnight temperatures have cooled the water) or later in the day when the heat has dissipated.         

The warm water also means there's a duty of care to the trout if anglers plan on releasing them. Check out our tips below to ensure the fish survive. 

Not much else to say other than get amongst some of the best angling we've seen in several years.  

Jump online if you haven't got a licence yet  and get into the awesome angling on offer. 

Here's the outlook this weekend...    

 

Hutt Valley

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

The Hutt River and tributaries are all now at low summer flow - the Hutt mainstem is sitting at 3 cumecs. The water is clear and the cicadas are around; some lucky anglers have found good success fishing large terrestrial imitations and landing some exceptionally well-conditioned browns - we've seen one trout just under 8lb landed in the town section! If the fish are reluctant to take a cicada, but can still be seen rising, try a passion vine hopper pattern as these little insects are dinning out on blackberry in plague proportions and trout just love them.            

The Hutt River at Whakatikei this morning (Photo: Al Markham)

 

Kapiti Coast

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Kapiti Coast. 

The Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau are running clear with relatively low flows. Base rocks are largely clear of algae after some small freshes so expect good fishing opportunities in the next few days. Drift dives completed in the region recently revealed some good fish numbers starting to build up again in the Waikanae - this will be welcome news for local anglers. 

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

 

Wairarapa

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

The Ruamahanga River and tributaries - the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau - are low and clear, set up well for the weekend ahead with a stunning forecast. The water in the lowland reaches of these rivers is starting to get quite warm and, despite an abundance of terrestrial insects (including a massive cicada hatch), fish can be temperamental on the bite. Consider fishing early morning, after low overnight temperatures have cooled the flow, or in the late afternoon and evening when the heat has dropped out of the day.                                  

Check out the latest conditions for the lower Ruamahanga by calling this free-phone number - 083229069.             

The Ruamahanga River at Gladstone this morning (Photo: Hamish Carnachan).

 

Manawatu

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

The Manawatu River, Pohangina, Oroua and Mangatainoka are all low and clear and good to go. Staff have been completing trout surveys in the upper reaches of the Manawatu catchment this week. The waterways look in great condition and are holding beautifully conditioned trout, though expect these to drop into the main stem of the Manawatu River if the warm weather continues. A great fishing weekend for this part of the region!

The Upper Manawatu River at Norsewood yesterday (Photo: Matt Kavermann).

Rangitikei

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

The Rangitikei and Hautapu rivers are looking stunning at time of writing and, with a great forecast for the weekend, the rivers in this part of the region will be absolutely firing. Cicadas have emerged in numbers after a little rain last weekend and are deafening in places - the trout should be well and truly dialled in to these large bugs being on the menu by now. Water clarity is very good so anglers who find their offerings are being denied may need to drop back to lighter terminal tackle.                     

The Rangitikei River at Mangweka this morning (Photo: Horizons).           
 

Taranaki Ringplain

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Taranaki Ringplain region.

Summer has really arrived in Taranaki, with a wonderful run of settled weather. All streams and rivers are at low flow and with warm afternoon temperatures it’s best to fish in the early morning before the heat of the day, or target the middle and upper reaches of streams. It’s now pretty much 'peak cicada' and an imitation drifted through pocket-water, down foam lines, or cast to feeding fish should be well received. In the upper reaches of streams, small hare and copper or halfback nymphs will also be worth a try.

Check out the up-to-date data on rainfall and river flows. 

The Upper Waiwhakaiho River this morning (Photo: Allen Stancliff).

Waimarino

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

There has been the occasional minor pulse in flow as a result of rain from afternoon heat buildups, but otherwise all waters remain at low flow. With the benefit of altitude, water temperatures have remained below 20 degrees and trout will be feeding at any time of the day. Terrestrial imitations, such as cicada, grasshopper, blowfly and passion vine hopper should bring success, as will a small nymph on a dropper below a bushy dry fly. With the low flows, the Manganuioteao River will be more crossable than usual, giving access to some great water, although the cobble/boulder bottom can be slippery so please take care. Please also contact the relevant landowner before crossing private land to fish the Manganuioteao. 

For up-to-date river flow and water temperature information, you can check out Horizons website here for data on the Mangawhero River.  

The Mangawhero River at SH4 this morning (Photo: Horizons).

 

 

Photo Competition - Win A $300 Hunting & Fishing Voucher

Jared Hunt with a cracking 7lb Hutt River brown caught last week.  

Send in your favourite fishing photos from this season and you could be in to win a $300 voucher to spend in store at Wairarapa Hunting & Fishing.

We won't blow your secret spot, just include the name of the angler(s), photographer's details, and general location in the Wellington-Taranaki Fish & Game region.

• Click here to submit your entry.

You can send us as many fishing photos as you like. By submitting images to enter the competition you acknowledge that Wellington Fish & Game can publish and use the photos for publicity material.

Entries must be in by 5pm Tuesday, April 2, 2025. The winner will be announced in the Lower North Lowdown report on Thursday, April 4, 2025.

 

 

Tip Of The Week - Caring For Your Catch

If you want a photo, make it quick and get the fish back into the water without delay.

Looking after the trout you catch begins with your equipment.

• Use the heaviest line you can get away with.  Too light a line means you will have to fight the fish for longer and that takes a toll – an exhausted fish has much less chance of surviving.

• Use a single hook and consider trying barbless hooks.

• Aim to land your fish quickly. Modern reels have great drags, so make the most of these and the rod’s leverage to get the trout close enough to net.

• Use a net to land your fish, preferably a knotless one.

• Keep the trout in the net and in the water while releasing it.

• Unhook the fish gently, preferably with long nosed pliers.

• Work quickly and avoid touching the fish at all.

• If you want a photo, make it quick and get the fish back into the water without delay.

• Wet and cool your hands before handling the fish and consider using gloves.

• Ideally, take the photo of the fish still in the water.

• If you have to hold the fish, do it gently with one hand around the tail and the other carefully cradling the fish.
• Keep your hands, hooks and anything else away from the trout’s gill.

What Not to Do

• Don’t drag the fish onto shore and leave it flapping around on hot rocks, beating itself up on the unforgiving shore. This is a death sentence.

• Don’t touch the trout’s gills. 

• Don’t squeeze the fish, especially around its belly.

• Don’t keep the trout out of water any longer than necessary. Remember, fish don’t breathe any better in air than we do underwater.

        

Video of The Week - Catch and Release

When releasing a fish there are a few simple steps that you can do to ensure the fish has the best chance of survival.

Click the screenshot above to watch this short video by Fish & Game NZ.

 

Check, Clean Dry - Help Protect Waterways

Now is the perfect time to familiarise yourselves with the NEW North Island Check Clean Dry procedures. Click here to watch. 

 

Noticeboard

• Wellington Region River Works: Don't let bulldozers in the river ruin your fishing plans. Click here to download a schedule of Greater Wellington Regional Council's latest planned river engineering works.
• Manawatu Flood and Drainage Works: Anglers can access Horizons Regional Council's latest schedule of flood and drainage river works here.   
• Access to Lake Namunamu, near Hunterville, is closed as the access road is upgraded in preparation for the logging of Ngaruru Forest over the next three to five years.

If you have any angling-related information you'd like posted to this noticeboard, including upcoming angling club meetings and outings, please get in touch with us.  

*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.