Labour Weekend Fishing Bonus!        

Pictured - Peter de Boer caught this lower Ruamahanga estuarine brown in sensational condition last week.     

It doesn't get much better than sunny skies, light winds and a long weekend offering a bonus day fishing. 

That's what's on the cards for Labour Weekend, with conditions looking perfect across most of the region right through to late Monday when a shower or two might come through.

To top it all off, the rivers look stunning after a week of no rain - carrying good flow, but generally clear. 

With a day off on Monday, there's plenty of scope for fishing this weekend.

It could be the first chance to get into the backcountry waters, which have largely been untouched to date. 

The lower reaches are also firing and a great option (as we predicted in last week's report) with some 'sea-runs' in stunning condition like the one Peter de Boer caught in the lower Ruamhanga. 

If you're after some angling to tie in with a family outing or overnight camping trip, check out our 'Park and Cast' options. These are easily accessible fishing spots in the Wellington Fish  & Game, which are nice and handy to campsites.

Heading further afield over Labour Weekend?

Just remember that almost every river and stream you cross holds trout and is a fishing adventure waiting to happen - Take a break, stretch your legs and cast a line on the way to your destination.                   

If you haven't sorted your licence out yet, now is the time to grab one online.       

Here's the outlook for Labour Weekend:

Hutt River and tributaries

Click here for live weather updates.

The Hutt is running at 7 cumecs this morning which is the lowest it has been for weeks. This means it will be in excellent shape over the long weekend. The Akatarawa, Pakarutahi and Whakatikei are all looking great too. The Wainuiomata has been blighted by wind and sediment so far this season but after a spell of no rain, and forecast light winds, it could be a solid option this weekend.                                  

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

Kapiti Coast 

Click here for live weather updates.

The Waikanae, Ohau, and Otaki are sitting at perfect fishable flows today and should stay that way over the long weekend with a stunning forecast ahead. The whitebait are running, and as we've heard reported from the Hutt and Ruamahanga lower reaches, the trout are on the prowl. There's no reason why the won't be active in the estuarine reaches of the Otaki which traditionally gets a good run of whitebait.             

Wairarapa 

Click here for live weather updates.

There is a heavy sediment load still entering the Ruamahanga from the Tauweru River which is giving the mainstem a milky tinge below. Upstream of Gladstone though the Ruamhanga is looking stunning! The Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau look absolutely beautiful today too - emerald green coming out of the ranges - and should be firing with a warm sunny Wairarapa weekend on the cards. The Waipoua is crystal clear and holding reasonable fish numbers in the lower-mid reaches.                 

The Ruamahanga River this morning at Wardells Bridge (Credit: Hamish Carnachan)

Manawatu

Click here for live weather updates.  

The Manawatu River is still up and carrying a bit of colour below the gorge. Upstream is slightly better with the riverbed actually visible around Hopelands for the first time in a long while. The Pohangina and Ōroua have a hint of colour but are easily fishable this morning and look like an exciting prospect for the long weekend if the forecast holds.       

The Pohangina River at Saddle Road bridge this morning (Credit: Matt Kavermann)

Rangitikei 

Click here for live weather updates.

The Rangitikei River is fishable higher up but still carrying a sediment load around Vinegar Hill. The flow forecast is for the mainstem to rise from this afternoon. With a fine forecast though it should be an option up around Mangaohane and Springvale later in the long weekend. Check the smaller tribs if you want to head out earlier.     

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

Anglers - Stand Up For Your Fishery!                  

Anglers need to have their voice heard to safeguard our fish and fisheries (Credit: Andrew Harding)  

If you value having trout and high-quality fisheries in the region, you must make you voice heard! 

Greater Wellington Regional Council is currently undertaking an online survey on what Kapiti residents value about freshwater in the region.

It is really important that anglers make a submission, noting the importance of having healthy populations of valued introduced species such as trout for present and future generations.

For the future of our freshwater fisheries, and fishing, make sure your voice is heard.

Access Upgrades

Click the screen shot below to find all our updated access information and brochures, available to download on your mobile device.  

Women On The Fly

The available spots for the 'Women On The Fly' workshop in last November is filling fast.

Don't miss out on your chance to be part of this fun-filled women's fishing weekend. 

Click here for more info, or register here.

Women In Angling Survey 

On behalf of Fish & Game New Zealand, University of Otago is conducting research aimed at understanding the perceptions, opinions, and motivations of adult women anglers in New Zealand. 

The findings will be used by Fish & Game New Zealand to help support women anglers and to enhance their angling experience.

If you have received the survey via email, we just want to remind you that it will shortly be closing. As a woman angler, your opinions are important to us. If you haven't already completed the survey, we would really like to hear from you.

For more information, or  to participate in the survey, please get in touch with us.   
   

Noticeboard

• 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

• 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

  8-9 October 2021: Sport Fly Fishing New Zealand Inc (SFFNZ) Manawatu Regional Competition has been  postponed to November 12 and 13 2022, and will take place from Bluff Rd to Kumeroa.

  22-29 October 2022: Pahiatua Trout Fishing Carnival (Mangatainoka and catchments) – prize giving is Sunday 29 October from midday. Registrations are open until 4pm Friday, Oct 21(tomorrow). More info here.     

   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.