Wellington Weekly Fishing Report - 12 November 2020

After the torrential rain on Monday and Tuesday there are some swollen rivers around the region, but the weekend is looking like it will be a stunner weather-wise. 

The good news is the mainstem rivers are all dropping very quickly and by the time Saturday rolls around they will have had a good 48 hours to drop some of that extra flow. 

Whether they are clear enough for fishing is going to be touch and go, but certainly the smaller feeder streams should be in top-notch condition and these waterways are still holding good fish numbers.

If your preferred mainstem river is coloured up, break out the spinning gear. This is a great method for catching trout at this time of year when rivers are higher, and advanced spin techniques can out-perform fly fishing.   

For the purists, flinging streamers in the lower river sections should produce some good catches as trout and kahawai chase whitebait. And a San Juan Worm will be killer in the smaller tribs with the slightly high flows from the passing fresh. 

Thanks to all those anglers sending in their reports from around the region - it sounds like you're having a great start to the season. And just think, the best is yet to come!        

If you've haven't got out for fish yet, it's time to wet a line this weekend! Grab your licence and get into it.   

Pictured: Matt Davis with a chunky rainbow caught in the middle reaches of the Rangitikei recently.   

Hutt River and tributaries

Click here for live weather updates.

The Hutt is high and a little dirty but dropping quickly. Come Saturday it will likely still have a bit of colour but this could be conducive for downstream streamer fly fishing using bead-head Wolly Buggers or spinning. The Akatarawa, Whakatikei or Pakarutahi look like they should be clear and good to go by the weekend.          

Kapiti Coast

Click here for live weather updates.

The main Kapiti Coast rivers - the Waikanae, Otaki and Ohau - have high flow again at time of writing but are dropping quickly. Looking at the flow graphs, we're picking they should all be at good fishable flow by the the time the weekend rolls around.              

Wairarapa

Click here for live weather updates.

Unlike the Hutt and Kapiti Cast Rivers, the Ruamahanga is really swollen and is going to be a long shot for fishing this weekend - an outside chance for spinning perhaps, or even bait fishing with worm and bubble float. The good news for Wairarapa anglers is that the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau are rapidly falling to fishable flows. And reports suggest the Waipoua is fishing really well, even through the town reaches.           

Manawatu

Click here for live weather updates.     

Given the size of the Manawatu at time of writing, locals might struggle to get any fishing on the mid and lower reaches this weekend. Fortunately, the tribs -the Mangatainoka, Pohangina and Oroua - are falling quickly, and the Pohangina isn't too far off fishable already. By the time Saturday arrives they should be fishing really well.      

Rangitikei

Click here for live weather updates.

The Rangitikei is very big and dirty at Mangaweka but, surprisingly, up at Piripiri it has a clear edge suggesting it is clearing fast. The trick is going to be to get as high up the catchment as you can for fishing this weekend. Alternatively, anglers could find clear water on the Hautapu, which hasn't had much pressure this season but should be holding good numbers of trout, particularly at this tome of year (we'd be interested to know how anglers get on up there).              

Tip of The Week - Lake Wairarapa Fishing! 

Strike Lake Wairarapa on a good day and it is incredibly scenic, it's an ecologically diverse environment, and, as we are discovering, a quality still-water trout and perch fishery.

In a region that is rich in quality rivers and streams but isn’t endowed with lake fisheries, this is a real bonus. 

A stunning morning for targeting cruising trout at the Tauherenikau River delta (Copyright: Hamish Carnachan) 

We are excited about angling potential of the area, including Lake Onoke (Ferry) and have produced a fishing guide to help our anglers explore the fishery and come to appreciate it as we do.

If you are interested in exploring Lake Wairarapa with you fishing gear, we've got some hotspots and tips and techniques for you here.  

- 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

• Fishing regulations for the Wellington Fish & Game region can be found here.  
• Don't get a nasty surprise by Greater Wellington Regional Council's river bulldozing ruining your day on the river. The upcoming activity schedule can be found here.
• Wellington Water is encouraging angler feedback on wastewater overflows in the Hutt-Wainuiomata catchment. The online engagement portal is here. Under the comments section anglers could encourage actions that:

1. Improve ecosystem health (e.g. indicators monitored by MCI and fish counts) and use natural features to assist with storm water management i.e. increasing the use and extent of wetlands to diffuse storm water events and minimise wastewater overflows.

2. Maintain and improve habitat quality, diversity and extent for trout and native fish.  

 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 - For your safety please ensure you check the latest weather and river flow information before you head out on the water.