Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 20 February 2025

Conditions Perfect For The Weekend

Some welcome rain arrived yesterday just in time to recharge the rivers for the weekend. 

Most of the major waterways in the Wellington and Taranaki regions are registering freshes at time of writing this morning. 

Pictured - Visiting English angler Robin Coupland thrilled with his bar of Ruamahanga gold (Photo: Hamish Carnachan)

However, they are all dropping very quickly and with no more rain on the radar they should be set up perfectly for the weekend.     

The great news is the higher flows have flushed out a lot of the algae, which was becoming a nuisance. 

And the humid conditions last week, followed by rain, have reinvigorated the insects - the cicada hatch continues and has got to be one of the best we've had in years. 

With sunny skies and warm temperatures forecast, big terrestrials out in numbers, an exciting weekend awaits anglers! 

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

Here's the outlook this weekend...    

 

Hutt Valley

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

The Hutt River has a small fresh running through this morning after yesterday's rain but is still low and fish can be spotted. There have been a few mayfly rises on balmy evenings but no sign of any caddis yet. Local Hutt guru Graham 'Oddie' Odlum is taking club members out for twilight fishing on Thursday evenings when the weather permitting - if you're interested in tagging along and learning some tricks, Google Hutt Valley Angling Club and get in touch with the club president.

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

 

Kapiti Coast

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

The Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau are dropping from a moderate fresh that pushed through last night. There's a hint of colour but, like the Hutt, fish can still be spotted according to local reports. The higher flow has also removed a fair amount of the algae that was starting to cover some sections of the riverbed. A few showers are forecast for tomorrow but these shouldn't affect the flows this weekend which is going to be fine and sunny.

The Otaki River at SH1 yesterday afternoon (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 up after some good rainfall in the Tararua Range yesterday. They have fallen quickly though after peaking overnight, and at time of writing this morning they are all clear enough to fish, even the mainstem Ruamahanga in the mid reaches. The rain and extra flow has dropped the water temperature too which is excellent news as the fish were proving hard to get to feed after weeks of dry hot conditions.                                     

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

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

Manawatu

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

We don't have 'boots on the ground' to provide a report on river conditions in the Manawatu region this morning but the flow graphs show the Manawatu River, Pohangina, Oroua and Mangatainoka have all received a bit of extra water. The good news is - going by the webcams - they are dropping and clear enough to fish. Local trout populations will certainly appreciate the repreive from the summer low flows. Get out there this weekend.     

The Manawatu River at Weber Road this morning (Photo: Horizons).

Rangitikei

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

The Rangitikei is up from the rain yesterday but the webcam images show clear flow, indicating that there wasn't much rain in the catchment - just enough to freshen the flow and lower the water temperature. The Hautapu is barely registering any increase in flow so it's all good to good for anglers in the Central High Country with a stunning weekend of weather on the cards.                       

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

Taranaki Ringplain

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

Some long-awaited rainfall has arrived for the Taranaki Ringplain this week with a small fresh on Tuesday slightly raising waterways in the region. The Manganui River at Midhirst saw a peak flow rate of 2.49 cumecs, elevating from its February average of ~0.3 cumecs. Although this rain event is by no means significant in comparison to the amounts that tend to fall during other months – it is well received at this time of year during what has been a very dry summer. There may be one or two patchy showers before Saturday, but the sun will return in time for the weekend, with river levels most likely back at their summer low flows. We’ve had reports of the Stony and Manganui rivers fishing particularly well at the moment, with some exciting clear-water angling to be had drifting terrestrial dry flies with suspended nymphs.

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

Hangatahua River (Stony River) at Wiremu Road Bridge (Photo: Jack Harland).

Waimarino

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

There may be some spots of rain as we head into the weekend in the Waimarino region, but from Friday evening onwards a high-pressure system moving in from the west should provide clear skies and afford ample time to head down to get out on the water. Click here to keep track of water temperatures and flow data within the Waimarino.

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

 

 

Photo Competition - Win A $300 Hunting & Fishing Voucher

Tegan Johnson with one of many Manawatu River fish caught recently.  

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.

 

Video Of The Week - NI Summer Backcountry Mission

The team from Trout Hunting NZ head into the backcountry in search of cicada-munching bruisers. 

Click the screenshot above to watch.   

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.

        

Catch and Release - Top Tips From Fish & Game

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.