Weekly Fishing Report - 01 March 2018

A cracker weekend for fishing is on the cards - make the most of it before more wet weather arrives next week.

The rain from Monday's front has almost cleared, meaning the rivers are going to be set up beautifully for the weekend with just a touch of extra base flow and cooler water temperatures to get the trout active.

We're still getting good reports of cicadas and other terrestrial insects being around too, so make sure you've got a supply of these imitations in your arsenal.

With the higher flows and hint of colour still in some of the larger waterways, conditions are ideal for spin anglers also.

They're forecasting sunny skies and light winds across most of the lower North Island so what great weather to take the kids or family fishing.

Get into the action!   

Pictured above right: The Ruamahanga River looking fabulous with a touch of colour but good cool flow.(Credit: Hamish Carnachan) 

Here's the outlook:

Hutt River and tributaries

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The Hutt River is going to be set up superbly for the weekend with flows falling off a fresh, light winds forecast and cicadas still about. Conditions don't get any better for this fishery so get amongst it! Be sure to check out our new Hutt River Access brochure - details in the Tip of Week for this report.               

Kapiti Coast

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The Kapiti Coast rivers - the Waikanae, the Otaki and the Ohau - are quickly falling back to normal flows after a very good pulse of rain on Monday. This will have cooled the water down and reactivated the trout. Light winds forecast for the coast will make for ideal and idyllic fishing conditions over the weekend.           

Wairarapa

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The Ruamahanga and tribs are carrying out the last of Monday's fresh with a bit of colour but are otherwise perfect for fishing. With warm sunny skies and light breezes over the weekend you can almost be sure of some good surface feeding activity by fish revelling in the cool, higher flows. Get into before the weather breaks late on Monday.         

Manawatu

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The Manawatu is low and clear at Ashurst - so it appears there's little affecting the catchment. The Mangatainoka is falling and fishable and the Pohangina and Orua are both good to go this morning. Great fishing conditions for this part of the region over the weekend.           

Rangitikei

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The Rangitikei is looking fantastic up around the middle reaches and clearing Monday's rain further down. A great weekend to get amongst the superb fishing on offer in this part of the country.                             

Video of the week

Click the screenshot below to check out Andrew Harding's latest production showcasing the quality of our freshwater fishing in the Wellington Fish & Game region.

Tip of the Week - Download Our NEW Hutt Brochure

You can download our new Hutt River Access brochure by clicking on the image above (it is a large file).  

The brochure provides heaps of info on both popular and lesser known access points, tips for fishing different reaches and user friendly maps.

The Hutt is one of New Zealand's great brown trout fisheries, we're doing everything we can to help our anglers make the most of this stunning resource on Wellington's doorstep.

Don't forget we also have a dedicated brochure on How To Fish The Hutt River - ask at our office (06)3590409.             

By Wellington Fish & Game officer Hamish Carnachan.

Fish & Game NZ magazine - online

Did you know there's a heap of information - feature articles, columns, fly tying info, photo spreads - available free through the Fish & Game magazine website?

Why not head over and check it! Click the homepage image above.

And while you're there, you could grab a subscription - an absolute bargain at just $35 for the year.

Notice board

• River bulldozing - Don't let this destructive activity by Greater Wellington Regional Council ruin your fishing. Click here for the latest schedule of river wrecking (you can also register your complaints by emailing: Debbie.Kelly@gw.govt.nz).

• Ruamahanga access at Gliding Club (Greytown). Anglers are being directed to the Tilsen Road access.
• Moawhanga Flushing Flows - Click here for more information but following is an early alert for the dates the flushes be will conducted: 
  - 13/14 March
  - 17/18 April

Email Wellington Communications and Field Officer Hamish Carnachan if you'd like any fishing or freshwater-related items posted to this noticeboard.

​*This report was accurate at time of writing - please ensure you check the latest weather and river flow information before you head out on the water.