Weekly Fishing Report - 15 February 2018

The weather and rivers are set up beautifully for fishing over the weekend.

The solid dump of rain the region copped last week has finally pushed through, giving the rivers a good flush of fresh cold water.

Many of the region's larger rivers are just becoming fishable today, so prospects for Friday, Saturday and Sunday are superb ahead of more rain forecast for early next week.

The trout will have been reset by the recent high flows, and they'll know more bad weather is coming, so they'll be feeding furiously over the next few days.

No excuses not to get out this weekend - make the most of the sensational conditions on offer.

Pictured above right: Visiting angler from Montana, US, fishing a Wairarapa backcountry stream (Credit: Hamish Carnachan) 

Here's the outlook:

Hutt River and tributaries

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The Hutt River is still dropping flow but will be absolutely ideal to hit anytime from now through the weekend with fresh fish and coolers flows. Get stuck in before the weather turns on Monday.                   

Kapiti Coast

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The Kapiti Coast rivers - the Waikanae, the Otaki and the Ohau - are all carry about three-times the low flow but are still fishable. The fishing will only improve over the weekend as the water drops further.        

Wairarapa

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There's plenty of water in the Ruamahanga and it's tribs at present but the rate at which the rivers are all dropping should have the fish and fishing firing for the weekend. A tip for those anglers who have reported having trouble getting the Ruamahanga trout to take, despite active feeding - try a passion vine hopper imitation!      

Manawatu

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The Manawatu and tribs - the Pohangina, Orua and Mangatainoka rivers - are still carrying plenty of colour from the rain last week. The larger systems are going to take some time to clear so look to the smaller tribs which should be fine for fishing from Saturday. Another option is to head higher up into the Pohangina and Orua where there's less inflow from sidestreams.          

Rangitikei

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The Rangitikei is chocolate around Mangaweka and won't clear anytime soon. Further up in the catchment the river is running more of a milky green colour. For those keen on a punt, you'll likely find a clear edge up around Mangaohane. Otherwise, hit the smaller streams which have already cleared out last week's rain.                       

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

• Standing Up For Your Fishing Waters - Support Clean Water Quality

    Fish and Game are presenting their evidence in the fight for improved water quality across the Greater Wellington region. Come along and hear the arguments for swimmable, fishable, healthy rivers for all this Monday 19th , 9:30am at the Westpac Stadium.   Directions to the meeting can be found here.

• 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.