Early Season Dry Fly Action!          

Pictured - Leigh Johnson making the most of the stunning conditions on the Ruamahanga this morning (Credit: Hamish Carnachan)    

All of a sudden the regions rivers are running low after a lengthy period of no appreciable rain. 

Conditions today are looking good, right across the lower North Island with clear water and generally sunny skies. 

Forecasting the weekend, however, becomes more tricky with another front flicking across on Friday - this time from the east.

While the top half of the North Island has rainfall warnings out, we get off quite lightly. 

And with the river flows dwindling, we can well use the rain. 

Because the rivers are so low, and the ground dry, a lot of the rain could easily be soaked up without impacting the fishing.

It's a matter of watching the weather closely to see how much hits the ranges, and then checking the flows accordingly. 

At this stage, we're picking the weekend will be okay, particularly for targeting those smaller streams. Just check the latest river flows before heading out.         

Grab your licence online!         

Here's the outlook for the weekend:

Hutt River and tributaries

Click here for live weather updates.

The Hutt is getting very low so the short pulse of rain coming through tomorrow won't do the river or the fish any harm. The Akatarawa, Pakarutahi and Whakatikei have fished well for those prepared to put in the leg-work and cover some water. If the Hutt comes up too high with the rain, look to these tribs for some fishing, otherwise spinners in the lower reaches of the mainstem could yield results.  

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

Kapiti Coast 

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The Waikanae, Ohau and Otaki are all starting to get very low, clearly illustrated in the image below. The western rivers could use some more flow so the rain coming in Friday might actually reinvigorate the trout and the fishing. Reports are in of some excellent sea-run trout being caught below the SH1 bridge on the Otaki.   

Check the flows first before hitting the water. 

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

Wairarapa 

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The Wairarapa rivers look stunning today and the weather is great too - the cloud has burnt off, it's 24-degrees and there's only a gentle breeze. The Ruamahanga is clear with good flow but the middle reaches are starting to experience some weed build up - a small fresh on Friday night will be beneficial. The main rivers - including the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau - are picture-perfect and there's been some exceptional fishing over the last week. Watch the easterly weather, and check flows before making your angling plans.               

The Waiohine River at SH2 this morning (Credit: Hamish Carnachan)

Manawatu

Click here for live weather updates.  

After quite some time with high flows and dirty water, the Manawatu River is now at the other extreme - very low and clear. The Manawatu is the only part of the lower North Island with no rain forecast - only the odd shower - so it could be the best pick for this weekend. The Pohangina reportedly has good fish numbers higher up; the Mangatainoka is fishing well below Pahiatua. Meanwhile, it's pretty quiet on the Ōroua with not much news coming in, however, it should be in shape for a look this weekend.                  

The Manawatu River at Hopelands this morning (Credit: Horizons)

Rangitikei 

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The Rangitikei River looks beautiful all the way from the headwaters to the sea at time of writing this morning. Today is the day, though, because Horizons forecasts the river to come up quite a bit from what is pictured below with the easterly rolling through tomorrow. The streams from smaller catchments might be okay by later on Saturday - check the Hautapu flow before heading out.            

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

Get The Kids Hooked On Fishing

A happy angler from last year's event.  

The free event, which will be held on Saturday, November 19, provides children with the opportunity to experience trout fishing in a safe environment under supervision from experienced volunteers.

There is a high chance of catching a beautiful trout which children can take home to eat with their families.

Hundreds of hatchery-reared trout are released into the lake just ahead of the fish-out day. They are usually hungry and happy to oblige young anglers by jumping on the line.

Most participants will get to experience the excitement of catching a trout, and for many it will be their first fish. Organisers hope it spurs them on to take up fishing which is a healthy outdoor pursuit that gets kids off screens.

Members of the Kapiti Fly Fishing Club and the Horowhenua Fresh Water Angling Club organise and run the event with support from Wellington Fish & Game, Otaki Hunting and Fishing, Pub Charity, and NZ Community Trust.

The fish-out day is often oversubscribed so organisers are anticipating that the limited number of places available for this year will fill up quickly.

Word has got out about how great this annual event is, so we’re expecting really strong interest again this year.

Children between the ages of six and 16 from the Kapiti and Horowhenua area are invited. Each child will be allotted a 30-minute time session which is filled on a first-come-first-served basis.

More details and information can be attained from Hunting and Fishing Otaki via one of the following:  

• Facebook
  
• Email
  
• Visit the store – 183 Main Road OTAKI
• Landline – 06 3648969
• Mobile – 027 231 1704

Noticeboard

• 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. 
•  
• 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

• Otaki 'Take a Kid Trout Fishing Day - Held at Winston's Lakes Otaki on Saturday, November 19. Information on Otaki Hunting and Fishing's Facebook page or phone 06 3648969.    

• 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.

  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.