West and East Coast Best Bet This Weekend        

Pictured - Andrew Harding with a lower Ruamahanga stunner caught last week.     

What fantastic fishing we had over Labour Weekend!

Conditions were stunning and the angling was on par for many who made the most of the opportunity to get out over the three-day break.  

The weather was perfect for getting into the backcountry too.

And while fish condition in the ranges is down after multiple floods over winter, the trout in the lowlands are in exceptional shape, particularly in the lower Ruamahanga which is a standout so far this season.

This weekend we have a northerly front arriving on Saturday afternoon/evening, bringing with it some rain, so pick your spots carefully. 

The weather is going to be best in Wairarapa which means it could be an opportunity to get amongst the lower Ruamahanga 'sea run' trout everyone is talking about!  

If you haven't sorted your licence out yet, now is the time to grab one online.       

Here's the outlook for the weekend:

Hutt River and tributaries

Click here for live weather updates.

The Hutt, Akatarawa, Pakarutahi and Whakatikei are at great fishable flows this morning. Be aware that rain is forecast to come through with the northerlies later on Saturday, so this could well bring the rivers up. The weather is expected to blow through on Saturday evening, however, making way for a fine day, so the smaller waterways could be worth a look on Sunday.                                  

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

Kapiti Coast 

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The Waikanae is at at perfect fishable flow this morning. The Ohau and Otaki are slightly up after some rain but still not coloured enough to disrupt fishing over the next day or so. The northerly coming through on Saturday is forecast to bring rain to the ranges - prospects for fishing on Sunday very much depend on how heavy that rain is. Check the flows before hitting the water. 

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

Wairarapa 

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All the Wairarapa rivers look stunning this morning and unless there is significant rain in the ranges on Saturday it should be green-light. The Wairarapa is actually the pick of the fishing locations with the best weekend forecast - just a chance of a shower. The Ruamahanga still has a hint of colour from the Tauweru River confluence  down, otherwise it is perfect above - clear with good flows. The Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau look exceptional, and the smaller eastern tribs are well worth a crack while flows are healthy.             

The Waiohine this morning above SH2 (Credit: Hamish Carnachan)

Manawatu

Click here for live weather updates.  

The Manawatu River is clear enough to fish all the way through, even in town finally. The Pohangina and Ōroua have good flows but are clear this morning and there isn't enough rain in the current forecast to change that significantly. Just watch how much falls in the Tararuas on Saturday evening, however, because this could raise the Mangatainoka and affect flows downstream.           

The Pohangina River at Saddle Road bridge this morning (Credit: Matt Kavermann)

Rangitikei 

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The Rangitikei River is low and clear this morning as you can see from the image below taken at Pukeokahu in the mid-upper reaches. Rain is forecast for later on Saturday, so it might be best to hit the river earlier. Because it is quite low at time of writing, the Rangitikei will likely take a while to come up so you should be okay to get most of the day in on Saturday - just keep a close eye on conditions and always ensure you have an exit.      

The Rangitikei River at Pukeokahu this morning (Credit: Horizons) 

Regs Change To Treble Hooks 

New regulations for the 2022-23 season ban the use of treble hooks on waterways where there are maximum size limits on trout i.e., fish over a certain size must be returned. These rivers are identified in Note 3 on page 39 of the regulations book.

This measure was adopted by the Wellington Fish & Game Council to help the survival of large fish, the breeding specimens, when released after being caught.

Please consult the Wellington section of the regulations guide, particularly Note 5 which details where trebles are permitted. All other waters only single hooks are allowed. 

Video of The Week

Join Andrew Harding and Kyle Adams in this latest episode of Pure Fly as they venture deep into the ranges on a 2 day mission that leads to plenty of chunky brown trout- click the screenshot below to watch.

Anglers - Stand Up For Your Fishery!                  

Anglers need to have their voice heard to safeguard our fish and fisheries (Credit: Andrew Harding)  

If you value having trout and high-quality fisheries in the region, you must make you voice heard! 

Greater Wellington Regional Council is currently undertaking an online survey on what Kapiti residents value about freshwater in the region.

It is really important that anglers make a submission, noting the importance of having healthy populations of valued introduced species such as trout for present and future generations.

For the future of our freshwater fisheries, and fishing, make sure your voice is heard.

Noticeboard

• Wellington Fish & Game has been advised of the following dates for flushing flows from the Moawhango Dam:

13 Dec, 21:00-06:00

24 Jan, 21:00-02:00

14 Feb, 21:00-02:00

14 Mar, 21:00-02:00

25 Apr, 21:00-02:00

• River Bulldozing - Don't get an unwelcome surprise by Greater Wellington Regional Council's river bulldozing ruining your day on the river. The upcoming activity schedule can be found here.

• Upcoming fishing competitions

  12-13 November 2022: Sport Fly Fishing New Zealand Inc (SFFNZ) Manawatu Regional Competition will take place from Bluff Rd to Kumeroa.

  22-29 October 2022: Pahiatua Trout Fishing Carnival (Mangatainoka and catchments) – prize giving is Sunday 29 October from midday. Registrations are open until 4pm Friday, Oct 21(tomorrow). More info here.     

   29-30 January 2023: Sport Fly Fishing New Zealand Inc(SFFNZ) Ruamahunga Regional Competition is to be run 29-30 January 2023 from Kokotau Rd (Gladstone) to Te Whiti Rd (Masterton).

 If you have any information you'd like to have considered for addition to the notice board, 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.