Perfect Time To Get Outdoors!     

Fox Carnachan with a lovely estuarine brown trout - one of seven caught in a short Saturday morning session last weekend (Credit: Hamish Carnachan).

It's officially 'Get Outdoors Week', and with great fishing conditions on the cards this weekend it's an awesome opportunity to get onboard and celebrate the stunning fishing resource we have in the lower North Island!

The event runs until the end of the weekend and there are some great prizes up for grabs - check out details below. 

Meanwhile, despite some wind expected for Wellington, conditions for the rest of the region look stunning. 

Sunny skies, warm temperatures, rivers in great shape and, of course, hungry trout will greet those who hit the water this weekend.   

Time to get your licence if you haven't already got one - the fishing is running hot.  

Here's the outlook:

Hutt River and tributaries

Click here for live weather updates.

The Hutt is up and carrying a touch of colour again, much like last week, but it is fishable this morning and with no more rain forecast until later on Sunday the river should be in prefect shape by the time the weekend rolls around. The Akatarawa, Pakarutahi and other tribs are carrying a little more flow than base but are will be spot on even from this afternoon. The wind could get up on Saturday so find a sheltered spot.         

The Hutt River at Moonshine this morning (Credit: Steve Doughty)  

Kapiti Coast

Click here for live weather updates.

The Waikanae, Otaki and Ohau rivers are all falling from a minor fresh. There's a little colour left in the Otaki this morning but it should be set up perfectly for the weekend. With fine weather and clear skies forecast for the Kapiti Coast this weekend there's no excuse not to get out.  

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

Wairarapa

Click here for live weather updates.

The Ruamahanga looks stunning this morning. Along with the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau, the mainstem has good flow but is clear and very fishable. Lovely conditions are forecast for this part of the Wellington Fish & Game region so it's a great opportunity to get amongst some of the great angling that has been on offer so far this season.     

The Ruamahanga River at The Cliffs this morning.

Manawatu

Click here for live weather updates.     

The Manawatu River has a bit of colour in town but is almost back at normal spring flow and is fishable at time of writing. This indicates all the other tribs will be in perfect condition, with the Pohangina and  Orua looking stunning this morning when staff inspected them. A good weather window is open over the entire Manawatu region so get amongst it this weekend.    

The Oroua River at Feilding (Credit: Matt Kavermann)

Rangitikei

Click here for live weather updates.

The Rangitikei is looking beautiful after a week of no major rain. The flow gauge at Mangaweka is not currently operating but the webcam reveals clear, emerald green water which indicates there should be good fishing conditions right through the catchment. The Hautapu, Moawhango and Kawhatau should also be running clear with the water looking so good in the mainstem reaches.                      

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

Get Outdoors Week

Get Outdoors Week is all about promoting outdoor opportunities and generally celebrating how good we've got it in NZ. 

In terms of the adventures right on our doorstep, anglers in the lower North Island are particularly spoilt for choice so why not share your experiences with the wider recreation community and potentially be in to win.  

The event runs until the end of the weekend and there's an awesome array of prizes up for grabs, including a $500 Hunting & Fishing NZ voucher, for simply sharing photos of your fishing adventures. Find out more here.  

Armchair Angling!  

Here's a really cool little pictogram video from Cawthron Institute explaining why aquatic invertebrates aren't just important trout food, but they actually help us determine the health of our waterways. 

Click the screen shot below to check it out.  

Capital Trout Centre - Open Day   

The Capital Trout Centre is holding an Open Day on Sunday, December 5, 2021.

Children must have a licence to fish for trout and free licences/tickets are available from at the following stores:

- Capital Fishing, 49 Ghuznee Street (off Cuba Mall)

- Hutt Valley Hunting & Fishing, 8 Te Puni Street, Petone

The Centre is located behind the WCC Administration buildings on the way to the Wellington City Council Southern Landfill, on Landfill Road, Happy Valley, Wellington and is open to the public on specific days.

Children do not have to bring any gear as the Wellington Fly Fishing Club members will assist children to catch a trout on tackle provided.

As the Centre is manned and maintained by volunteers, we rely on donations to cover our expenses of purchasing the fish from the hatcheries, fish food and general maintenance.

We are also available for private family bookings.

Contact: Strato (04) 387-7878 (wk) , or (04) 386-3740 (hm).

Webcams

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

Notice board  

• Review Update - Work on implementing the recommendations outlined in the review of Fish & Game continues. The Review Implementation Steering Group has an update for interested licence holders here. 
      
• 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.