Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 5 February 2026

Wellington Taranaki
5/02/2026

Waitangi Weekend Fishing Bliss!

A long weekend, falling rivers, and a generally fine forecast for most of the Wellington and Taranaki Fish & Game regions means angling opportunities abound.

The fish are primed for terrestrial imitations, with many anglers reporting great success on cicada patterns (just check out the photos in this week's report). Some are saying it's the best cicada season we've had in years!

Pictured - Josh Lutter with a sensational brown trout, taken on cicada imitation, caught not far from Wellington.

There are also plenty of other bugs around too, and passion vine hoppers are certainly on the menu with some fish ignoring larger terrestrial patterns in favour of these smaller insects.

Leo Turner caught this rainbow trout in the Manawatu River near Palmy last Sunday. He used his late grandfather's - Richard Wolfsbauer - green lightning bolt lure.

If you don't have any passion vine hopper imitations, a small (size 14-16) Parachute Adams seems to be doing the job.

While some of the larger rivers fed from the Tararua Range are still up, the tribs are clearing quickly and given another 36-hours without any rain all waterways in both regions should be firing.

So, tomorrow, Waitangi Day, target the smaller water until the mainstem drop some flow if these are affected in your area.

It should be an absolute cracker three days for fishing, so get out and enjoy it.

Tight lines and we'll see you on the water this long weekend!

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Here's the outlook this weekend...

Hutt Valley

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

The Hutt River has had a good fresh go through after torrential rain overnight Tuesday. It peaked at 129 cumecs. Normal summer low flow is around 3-5 cumecs, and it's already back to 17 cumecs, so it's nearly at a fishable flow already. Anglers throwing spinners or streamers will have success today, but by tomorrow it should be getting clear enough to sight fish. The Pakarutahi, Whakatikei and Akatarawa are holding a hint of colour and extra flow but are good to go and, like the mainstem, will improve throughout the day tomorrow.

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

Kapiti Coast

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

The Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau are all up a little after the rain this week but 'they're falling back to fishable flows quickly. The water column is largely clear, with a good edge to spot fish in at time of writing, but another 24 hours will see condition improve markedly. Watch for heavy showers coming through on Saturday - these appear to be very localised and could bring a touch more flow and colour. The Weather appears much better over in the Hutt Valley or Wairarapa so, with a long weekend, you've got time to venture further afield for your fishing fix if need be.

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

Wairarapa

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

The Ruamahanga River is carrying lots of water and colour this morning after some very heavy rain on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. It'll take another 24 to 36 hours to be in a fishable state. The good news is the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau are clearing quickly and, although a little colour is flowing through, they're fishable today. Look for some excellent angling from tomorrow - the start of the long weekend. Could be a great chance to get into the back country.

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

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

Manawatu

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

The Manawatu River is clearing extra flow from the front this week. Downstream of the gorge it is going to take a day or two to fall back to fishable. Upstream, however, should be fishing well from tomorrow. The Pohangina and Oroua are falling fast and should be a green light for tomorrow too. The weather for the region is looking pretty good with only a few showers interrupting otherwise sunny skies.

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

Rangitikei

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

The Rangitikei River looks gorgeous this morning! Just a hint of colour and very fishy. Clearly the rain that hit the bottom end of the North Island mainly missed the Central High Country. The Whakaurekau, Kawhatau and Hautapu are all worth a look this long weekend, as the weather forecast is good with just occasional isolated showers.

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

Taranaki Ringplain

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

Anglers in South Taranaki are reporting rivers flows holding steady, with water temperatures at a moderate level for this time of year. Trout are continuing to feed actively along foam lines, with cicadas and passion vine hoppers proving effective patterns. For lake anglers targeting perch, spin fishing with softbaits has been producing consistent results. Productive lakes include Rotokare, Ratapiko, Ngangana, with Lake Kohata and Wiritoa also fishing well for those based around Whanganui.

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

Waimarino

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

The Maunganuioteao is coming into its own as flows begin to drop. With schools back, the Ruatiti Domain stretch is a great option and can provide some excellent fishing. On the Mangawhero, the section through the Ohakune Walkway is reportedly holding good numbers of fish. Further downstream, the reach between Ohakune and Raetihi is also well worth a visit and can also provide some quality angling opportunities. To keep an eye on regional river flows, check here.

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

Photo Competition - Win A $300 Hunting & Fishing Voucher

Greg Smith releasing a lovely Hutt River brownie back to fight another day. The trout was taken on a cicada imitation.

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 Sunday, March 29, 2026. The winner will be announced in the Lower North Lowdown report on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Tip Of The Week - Tiny Trout 'Candy'

While the noisy cicadas are hogging the limelight at the moment, John Miller shares an anecdote that reminds us not to overlook the more obscure terrestrial insects that are prevalent at this time of year.

I recall three seasons ago, I was with three mates on a fishing trip to the Mohaka River in March. One mate and I decided to fish upstream from the road bridge at McVicars Rd. He had his rod set up in the car and I had to assemble mine so he locked his car and set off downstream while I got ready.

It took me about 10 mins and I expected that he would pass me by very shortly because when he and I fished together he always passed me to get to the virgin water. Over a number of years I had resigned myself to fishing behind him because otherwise it would become a race and good water would be overlooked.

I started nymphing upstream and fished for several hours without seeing him so assumed he had leapfrogged me along the way, or worse than that had injured himself or drowned. I headed back downstream to the car and as I approached I saw him coming towards me.

Well, he looked OK, so that was a relief, but he looked very angry. When within earshot he blurted out some French about carrying on ahead without him and stated that he had fished in the same spot for about three hours. Then he told me that in that pool the trout had been rising continuously all the time and he had tried 49 different flies but never had a rise.

I thought he was exaggerating until he showed me the flies on the fly patch on his vest. Unbelievable, but true. He insisted that I go downstream with him to see for myself. It was mid to late afternoon and a warm bright day. We came to the pool and, yes, trout were still rising steadily.

I had on a weighted nymph and Cicada indicator. I changed the nymph to a size 16 emerger pattern and covered some rising trout. These were all browns in the size range from 2.5-3.5lbs as far as I could see.

No takers so I had a quick look at the flies he had used and by a quick process of elimination I figured that since we could not see what the trout were feasting on the flies were either emerging or may have been passion vine hoppers that would lie flat on the water.

I put on a small CDC emerger which I then trimmed to emulate a hopper i.e. delta wings. My second cast brought up a fish that took the fly without hesitation. It was smallish at about 2.25lb but it gave a good fight before coming to the net.

My friend asked if I had another similar fly in my box that he could use. I found another that was not exactly the same but after giving it a haircut it looked passable so he tied it on and continued fishing.

I hooked and landed a bigger trout very soon after, it was certainly over 3lb. Trout were still rising but were harder to hook now. After a while my mate hooked another trout that put up a good fight before self-releasing. I was standing by with a landing net and when he checked his hook I noticed a fish scale meaning that the trout was foul-hooked and not in the mouth.

So, the moral of the story is not to overlook passion vine hoppers at this time of year.

Important Reminder

Unwanted pests can have a serious impact on our amazing freshwater fisheries.

Please do your bit to prevent their spread. Check, clean and dry all your equipment!

For a refresher on how to properly clean your gear, click here.

Noticeboard

Check out Greater Wellington Regional Council's latest schedule of flood protection operations here .
Access to Otaki Forks in Tararua Forest Park is now open.
Moawhango Flushing Flows - Confirmed dates are as follows:

February 17/18, 2026
March 17/18, 2026

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.

Disclaimer:

The information presented in these news items is based on the context and regulations in place at the time of publication. Please note that some articles may include reference to laws and regulatory standards that have since changed. For the most current and accurate information please check our Fishing Licences & Regulations pages or our Hunting Licences & Regulations pages.