Wellington Weekly Fishing Report - 28 January 2021

Hot settled weather, wet wading, terrestrials on the wing everywhere, and hungry trout. These were the conditions that greeted anglers lucky enough to get out on the water earlier this week! 

Summer angling simply doesn't get much better.

And although we've got a cool front coming through tomorrow, preceded by a touch of rain in parts, the awesome angling conditions are forecast to return in time for the weekend. 

We're getting reports of great catches right throughout the region, with the exciting news that the trout are actively feeding off the surface. 

Grasshoppers, cicadas, passion-vine hoppers (and mayflies) were all moving around on the Ruamahanga on Tuesday - clearly summer is in full swing. 

While the warmer temperatures in Wairarapa usually get the terrestrials active earlier, it won't be too long before the bugs follow suit in other parts of the lower North Island so make sure your fly box is well stocked.        

This signals that the best part of the angling season has just begun, grab your licence if you're missing out and get into the action! 

Here's the outlook:   

Pictured: Summer angling at its best - sunny skies, wet wading, terrestrials on the wing and hungry trout (Credit: Hamish Carnachan).   

Hutt River and tributaries

Click here for live weather updates.

The Hutt, Akatarawa, Whakatikei and Pakarutahi are all looking great this morning. It is, however, drizzling in the ranges at time of writing with around 18mm expected to fall over a six hour period later tonight. This could bring the rivers up a little but we're expecting it to flow through by Saturday, leaving the waterways freshened up and in great shape for the weekend.       

The Hutt River at Harcourt Park this morning (Photo: Steve Doughty)           

Kapiti Coast

Click here for live weather updates.

The Otaki, Ohau and Waikanae are all starters this morning. As for the Hutt catchment, though, watch the rainfall that is coming tonight as it could cause the rivers to rise and colour for a short period tomorrow. Despite this, the fresh is expected to have pushed through by Saturday - just check the flows before you hit the water.    

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

Wairarapa

Click here for live weather updates.

The Ruamahanga, Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau are looking sensational with good flows for this time of year and surprisingly low temperatures - conditions the trout will be loving! This could explain why the fishing has been running white hot in this part of the region. Check the latest flows before you hit the water tomorrow or Saturday as the rain in the Tararuas tonight might bring the rivers up for a short period.           

The Waiohine at SH2 this morning (Photo: Hamish Carnachan)               

Manawatu

Click here for live weather updates.     

There doesn't appear to be anything in the forecast to worry Manawatu anglers this weekend. The Manawatu, Pohangina and Oroua are looking perfect this morning and should fish well through Saturday and Sunday. The Mangatainoka might get a little freshen up from tonight's front but it shouldn't amount to much at this stage. Warmer conditions return on Sunday and hopefully this should get the terrestrials going again.                    

The Manawatu River at Teachers College this morning (Photo: Horizons)

Rangitikei

Click here for live weather updates.

The Rangitikei, Hautapu and central high country rivers are a picture of perfection this morning! Temperatures might dip a little tomorrow as the front passes through but the minor rain forecast for elsewhere in our region is expected to bypass this part of the lower North Island. Green light for go!                                 

Rangitikei River at Mangaweka this morning (Photo: Horizons)

Tip of The Week - Fishing Cicadas on Spin Gear?!

Threadline anglers need not miss out on the hype and frenzy we see amongst fly fishers when cicadas and other large terrestrial insects start hitting the water!

Fish & Game has produced the Advanced Spin Fishing how-to guide which illustrates rigs for using dry flies on spinning gear. 

Dry flies can be fished effectively on spin fishing gear.

If you want to learn how to fish flies (and other effective lures) on your threadline gear, click the link above. Otherwise you can contact us and we'll mail you a copy.

With the big bugs just starting to announce their presence, now is the time to give it a go.     

Tip of The Week - School Holiday Boredom Buster

Kids get a bit scratchy and bored the longer the holidays drag on, so now is an excellent time to take them fishing. 

We are incredibly lucky in the lower North Island in that most towns have quality fisheries within the city limits, if not close by.

This means kids who are old enough can go fishing alone - that's right, kick them off those screen and get them out of the house - or if they do need supervision, and it isn't too much of a time or cost impost, take them for short fishing outing to break up the day.

Remember that time invested now could will pay off when they get hooked on angling and want to be out on the water all day during the holidays once they're old enough!

Kid-friendly fisheries close to our main centres that can be accessed by foot or bike include:

Wellington/Hutt - Hutt and Akatarawa rivers.             

Kapiti Towns - Waikane and Otaki rivers; Winstone Aggregates lakes.

Masterton - Ruamahanga, Waingawa and Waipoua rivers; Henley Lake. 

Palmerston North - Manwatu River; Hokowhitu lagoon. 

If you'd like more info on getting kids into fishing or any of these 'urban' fisheries, please get in touch. Alternatively, you can check out our Getting Started in Trout Fishing multimedia 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.

  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.