Weekly Fishing Report - 08 March 2018

Although the weather looks good over the weekend the outlook for fishing is pretty bleak given all the rain we've had and that which is still to come tonight.

At time of writing the rivers are all well up - possibly the biggest flood of the summer in some parts - and with more rain still falling they're unlikely to drop in time for the weekend.

If you're desperate to get out, the very small tribs might be sheltering some fish in clear enough flow for a cast.

Otherwise it's a great opportunity to stock up the fly box and lures, sort out your gear and give it a clean in preparation for the settled period of the season which is well overdue must surely arrive soon.   

Pictured above right: Duncan Cameron and Wellington field officer Hamish Carnachan with a fine backcountry rainbow (Credit: Sam Stuart-Weeks). 

Here's the outlook:

Hutt River and tributaries

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The Hutt River looked to be falling from flood earlier this morning but is on the way back up again and unlikely to be clean enough for a fish until at least late Sunday. Check the flows periodically though, it may drop out fast if the rains stops soon.             

Kapiti Coast

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The Kapiti Coast rivers are all up but there might be an outside chance of the Waikanae clearing in time for the weekend (watch the flows closely) so we'll give it a tentative orange light. The Otaki and the Ohau still have plenty of water to flush through before they're flowing clear though.            

Wairarapa

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It's a story of big, brown river in Wairarapa. The Ruamahanga is bank-to-bank this morning and it still looks like there's plenty more water to come down from the ranges unfortunately.          

Manawatu

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The Manawatu is chocolate brown at Ashurst which is a sure sign the tribs - the Mangatainoka, Pohangina and Orua - are pushing a lot of floodwater down from the hills. No fishing here this weekend unless the smaller waterways flush out fast.           

Rangitikei

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Plenty of rain has fallen throughout the Rangitikei catchment, right up into the headwaters. There's lots of brown water moving through a plenty more to come. Tie some flies, do some odd jobs around home, wait this one out.                            

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 - Fly Tying online

Want to learn to tie flies like the pros? Step by step instructions for some amazing patterns - new and old - are only a click away...   

Fly-tying guru Peter Carty's long-running Master of Tying column from Fish & Game NZ magazine is now available online.

Click here to access free tips for tying eight key patterns, and we've got more scheduled to be uploaded soon.

Like 'Fish and Game NZ - Online' on Facebook and you'll be alerted each time we add fresh content to our website, including more fly patterns, features, columns and news.          

By Wellington Fish & Game officer Hamish Carnachan.

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.