A Weekend For Topping Up The Fly Box       

A reminder of what December should look like - backcountry Tararua Range river last season (Credit: Hamish Carnachan).

Torrential rain across much of the region has left even the small streams in full flood and, as a result, only a handful of fishing options this weekend. 

Some of the smaller wetlands around the edge of Lake Wairarapa will be clear and probably fishing pretty well with the recent cooler overnight temperatures too.

Our Wairarapa Moana Fishery Guide has pointers on this underrated fishery.

Kourarau Dam, east of Masterton, is another option although access is limited after undermining of the dam wall.

Henley Lake,  in Masterton, has been producing good perch and the odd trout and the inflow of water with the high river levels will make the fish ore active.   

If you in or around Palmy, there are still plenty of good sized rainbow trout and perch swimming around Hokowhitu Lagoon.  

Otherwise, it's a good opportunity to get the Xmas prep and shopping wrapped up, and tie a few flies in anticipation of fishing next week.

The weather in the lead up to Xmas looks pretty good and by next week the rivers should be returning to fishable flows.         

Here's the outlook:

Hutt River and tributaries

Click here for live weather updates.

The Hutt is high and carrying colour but dropping, according to local reports - the question is, for how long though with more rain falling. The Akatarawa, Pakarutahi and other tribs, are also heaving. Not too many options this weekend unfortunately.           

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

Kapiti Coast 

Click here for live weather updates.

The Waikanae, Otaki and Ohau rivers are all flooded and carry loads of sediment after the torrential rain that continues to fall. It is going to be several days before even the small streams return to fishable flows. 

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

Wairarapa 

Click here for live weather updates.

The Ruamahanga is a raging torrent - the biggest it has been for month. Massive flows in the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau are even the eastern rivers are all contributing to the flood that will take days to clear.  

The Ruamahanga River at Ponatahi (Credit: Hamish Carnachan)

Manawatu

Click here for live weather updates.  

The Manawatu River is bank to bank and won't be fishable for days to come. Likewise the smaller tribs which are carrying significant flows of their own and led to flooding in Feilding. The Pohangina, Orua, Mangatainoka and Makakahi are all out. Try Hokowhitu Lagoon if you feel the need to have a cast.  

The Manawatu River at He Ara Kotahi Bridge this morning (Credit: Matt Kavermann)

Rangitikei 

Click here for live weather updates.

There won't be much fishing around the Central High Country this weekend with the Rangitikei, Hautapu, Kawhatau and Moawhango all in flood. Stay home, tie some flies, watch some fishing videos and get geared up for next week when summer finally returns.  

Armchair Angling 

Don't get too down cast by the weather - summer will soon return. And when it does, it's time to hit the backcountry!

Check out this throw-back Thursday video of the awesome wilderness angling on offer in the lower North Island - click the screenshot above.    

 Angling News - Hot Off The Press

The Wellington Fish & Game Newsletter is hot off the press! Click the image below to download a copy. 

Noticeboard

• Wellington Fish & Game has been advised of the following dates for flushing flows from the Moawhango Dam:

 9:00 pm Tuesday 14 December to 6:00 am Wednesday 15 December 2021
 9:00 pm Tuesday 25 January to 2:00 am Wednesday 26 January 2022
 9:00 pm Tuesday 15 February to 2:00 am Wednesday 16 February 2022
 9:00 pm Tuesday 15 March to 2:00 am Wednesday 16 March 2022
 9:00 pm Tuesday 3 May to 2:00 am Wednesday 4 May 2022 (river ecological state dependent)

• Review Update - Work on implementing the recommendations outlined in the review of Fish & Game continues. 
      
• 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.

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.