New Season Almost Upon Us       

Pictured - Ben Ellison with a stunner from the Hutt River last week     

There are just two more sleeps until the start of the new season!

And as we've previously pointed out, opening day seldom falls on Saturday so there's no excuse not to get out on the water this weekend!

Make sure you grab your licence now before you get caught up in the excitement.      

Weather conditions are fifty-fifty but there should still be options for anglers in most parts of the lower North Island.

Some rain is forecast which could affect the larger river systems. However, many of the smaller streams that have been closed for spawning over winter open on Saturday and will hopefully be clear enough for angling.

They will be holding good numbers of fish too, with trout yet to drop back into the mainstem rivers.

Check the flows online, have a scout around, and we're sure your opening will get off to a good start.

All the best for the coming season.            

Here's the outlook for Opening Weekend:

Hutt River and tributaries

Click here for live weather updates.

The Hutt is  looking superb this morning but unfortunately a heavy rain watch in the Tararua Range means it is likely to come up over the coming days. The Akatarawa is a chance for opening and will still be holding good numbers of post-spawning trout - just check the flows before heading out on Saturday. With less rain forecast for the Remutaka catchments, the Pakarutahi and Wainuiomata could be better bets to find fishable water. The Whakatikei could be worth a look too.                                

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

Kapiti Coast 

Click here for live weather updates.

Mixed conditions are forecast for Kapiti over opening this weekend. Not too much rain around the coast but a watch has been issued for the Tararua Range this afternoon and into early tomorrow morning. With that in mind, the smaller waters that don't have large catchments back into the Tararuas would be the best options - think along the lines of the the Waikanae, perhaps the Ohau (which has improved fish numbers from previous season), and some of lesser known streams on the coast which do hold trout if you're prepared to explore and find them.     

Wairarapa 

Click here for live weather updates.

The Ruamahanga is carrying colour and extra water today, and with rain back in the mountains conditions are not likely to be great over opening weekend for the larger rivers flowing from the ranges. The waterways sourced in the east offer the best hope of finding good water - the Huangarua, near Martinborough, or the Kopuaranga could be worth a look but the former is likely to have high angler traffic. The Waipoua has been holding good fish numbers between the bypass and confluence so if it isn't affected by the rain then this could be a good option for opening.            

The Waiohine at the Tararua Forest Park boundary this morning (Credit: Hamish Carnachan)

Manawatu

Click here for live weather updates.  

Manawatu is probably the pick of the lower North Island for opening as far as weather conditions go this weekend. A good dump of rain is forecast to hit the Ruahine Range overnight Saturday though and this will likely bring up an already swollen Manawatu River. The Pohangina and Ōroua could be worth a shot on Saturday before the rain in the hills hits, as they are both holding good trout numbers. Otherwise it could be a good opportunity to explore some of the lesser streams flowing into the mainstem Manawatu from the east.             

The Oroua River at Almadale this morning (Credit: Horizons)

Rangitikei 

Click here for live weather updates.

The Rangitikei River is carrying a hint of colour at Pukeokahu but would be fishable at its current flow. Unfortunately, there's plenty of rain forecast over the next three or four days for this part of the region and also the Kaimanawa and Ruahine ranges. Opening weekend outings will likely be confined to the smaller tributaries which hopefully won't be to affected by the forecast rain.          

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

Major Access Info Upgrade

Looking for a new fishing spot this season or after access information? You're in luck.

Wellington Fish & Game has just completed a major upgrade of our access pamphlets and maps. They are all online, interactive, downloadable in digital format, and mobile friendly. 

Store the maps and access info on your mobile device, take them with you when you're fishing, and there's no need to use data or have mobile service.

Click the screenshot below to check it out...

River Webcams

Horizons Regional Council has an array of webcams around the mid- and central North Island with a number of them aimed at prominent fishing rivers, offering live stream views of the river conditions. 

This can be particularly handy for planning your fishing outings.

Click the screen shot below to check out Horizon's river webcams.

Women On The Fly

Do you have a wife, partner, daughter, sister or someone in your life who is starting out in fly fishing, or has thought about giving it a go, but doesn't know how to get going? 

The 'Women On The Fly' workshop in November is just what they have been waiting for!

Make sure they don't miss out because the available spots for  this fun-filled women's fishing weekend are filling fast. 

Click here for more info, or register here.

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 is to be run 8-9 October 2021 from Bluff Rd to Kumeroa.

  22-29 October 2022: Pahiatua Fly fishing carnival (Mangatainoka and catchments) – prize giving is Sunday 29 October from midday.

   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.