Weekly Fishing Report - 1st November 2018

Someone flicked the switch and we've temporarily gone back to winter, it seems! 

After a respite tomorrow, there's more rain forecast to arrive Saturday morning. While it doesn't look like enough to be a problem, the wind across the region could make fishing a challenge if not uncomfortable.

The upshot of the rain is that the rivers desperately needed it and this will help set them up a little better for summer. 

Those who have got out when the fine weather has prevailed have done really well though.

There have been encouraging catches coming in from the Ruamahanga, mixed reports from the mid-Manawatu, and superb fishing for those who have been lucky enough to get out on the main-stem Rangitikei.    

There are basically three options this weekend. Check the live flow links we provide in this report and, if good to go, tough the wind out at your favoured spot; find a sheltered small stream where you can tuck out of the blustery conditions; stay home and tie some flies or earn some brownie points ticking off odd jobs around the house.         

Grab your licence online here if you still need to. 

PS - We've still got a few places available for our Family Fish-Out event in Palmerston North on November 11 and 12. Visit Manawatu Hunting & Fishing to make a booking.

Pictured above right: There are reports of some good rainbows being caught in the north rivers of the Wellington Fish & Game region (Credit: Andrew Harding). 

Here's the outlook:

Hutt River and tributaries

Click the weather icons above to update.

The Hutt River is coming up after all the rain over the last 36 hours. Given there's more rain on the way, as well as strong winds, as with last week the best bet is going to be the sheltered tribs such as the Akatarawa and Pakuratahi.                

Kapiti Coast

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Kapiti Coast rivers are clear at time of writing but are heading up as the rain spills out of the ranges. The flows for the  Otaki, the Ohau and the Waikanae should start to drop back again tomorrow but the wind and next wave of rain arriving on Saturday will make thing marginal - check the conditions before you hit the water.  

Wairarapa

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The Ruamahanga has been high but clear and fishing very well. The main tribs have a spike of flow coming following the rain and this could take some time to clear. Orange light for fishing this weekend so look for the small streams to find some clear flows and shelter from the wind.                         

Manawatu

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The Manawatu, the Pohangina and the Orua rivers are all starting to get murky after a few days of rain. Flows will be marginal in terms of clarity for fishing in the larger rivers so look to the feeder streams and more stable waterways if you want to get out this weekend.                 

Rangitikei

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The Rangitikei is starting to colour up and likely won't get much better with the weather that's on its way. If you're desperate to get out into what will be some trying conditions you could look to the Hautapu River, the Kawhatau or some of the smaller 'secret' streams. 

Please note there are some important changes to the regulations for the Rangitikei backcountry fishery. See the Notice Board below.            

Video of the week

Click the screen shot below and be inspired some beautiful Wellington backcountry fishing action.   

Tip of the Week - Fishing High Flows

Here's one that's hopefully relevant to the current conditions... 

Sometimes you just need to escape the house and get out on the water even when the weather and river flows are against you. 

High flows can be really problematic for angling, but adapt your technique to suit the conditions and it can be a really rewarding time to target trout. 

A handful of patterns that can fish very well in high flows (Credit: Hamish Carnachan)

Some months ago, when the rivers were all blown out and strong wind whipped Lake Wairarapa into a raging inland sea, I had a ball fishing to trout that have moved up into the flooded pasture to vacuum the worms and other drowned terrestrial insects. 

Casting in such windy conditions was difficult but the action more than made up for the frustration. I'll certainly be back for more!

Likewise, the flooded margins of rivers can also be very productive when the mainstem is a brown torrent. 

Trout often ride up on the edges because high flows force them from their deeper liars.

They will also feed on the edges because often (you may have noticed this yourself) even when the main current is brown and turgid, the water remains clear a foot or so out from the bank. Carefully stalk or blind cast along this clear edge and you'll get results. 

It's important to think about the change in diet for the fish too. As described earlier, high flows make terrestrials more accessible so think worms or spiders. Trout will smack such imitations of these insects (or live baits where permitted) because they are a large, protein rich food source.

While we encourage you to think differently about fishing and the fishability of flooded water, please take the utmost care - flooded rivers take no prisoners and it only takes a small mistake to end up in the drink. Safety first!   

By Wellington Fish & Game officer Hamish Carnachan.

Webcams

 Click the screen shot below to go to Horizon's website showing the list of available river webcams.

Notice board

• Important changes to the regulations for the Rangitikei backcountry fishery come into force at the start of this season - click here for more. 

• River bulldozing - Don't let this destructive activity by Greater Wellington Regional Council ruin your fishing. A schedule of river bulldozing in the region's rivers can be found here. Email Debbie.Kelly@gw.govt.nz to register your complaints with this practice. 

• Ruamahanga access at Gliding Club (Greytown). Anglers are being directed to the Tilsen Road access.

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.