Season Start... Take Two        

Pictured - Lovely conditions for school holiday angling on Hutt River earlier this week (Credit: Hamish Carnachan)     

Let's just write last weekend off... consider it a false start. Conditions should allow the season to kick off properly this weekend!

Despite the current weather system which has brought a lot of snow to our region, and to very low levels in the southern part of the lower North Island, the weather forecast and projected river conditions are looking pretty good.

And there's nothing at all wrong with a bit of snow melt in the rivers either, in fact many anglers believing it increases trout feeding activity (see our 'Top Tip' below). 

Those anglers who found clear water to fish last weekend got into good numbers of trout, though some report they were a little light on condition. 

Before the southerly took hold, the Hutt River was a perfect colour and flow for spin fishing and some great angling was to be had. 

It would be great to see more kids out there doing it over the school holidays. Fishing is the ultimate boredom buster and a great way to get the young ones off their devices.

Under 12s fish for free (though a licence is still required) and junior anglers (12 to 17 years old) can fish the whole season for just $29!     

If you haven't sorted your own licence out yet, grab one online now.       

River flows will likely be up this weekend given the snow melt but most should be clear or clearing so the season essentially starts this Saturday.

Here's the outlook for Opening Weekend:

Hutt River and tributaries

Click here for live weather updates.

The Hutt is carrying quite a bit of water but is still currently fishable. Watch the river flows to see how the snow melt affects things. The Akatarawa, Pakarutahi and Whakatikei should all be in good condition for the weekend, with fish lingering after spawning while flows are high. And the Wainuiomata is unlikely to have had much pressure at all this season given the washout last weekend so it  would be well worth a shot.                                 

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

Kapiti Coast 

Click here for live weather updates.

The Waikanae, Ohau, and Otaki all look great this morning, having barely registered any increase in flow from the big southerly front. There could be a small spike in the larger water bodies as the snow melt comes through but otherwise both the river conditions and weather forecast are great for this weekend. Don't forget the whitebait are currently running so the lower reaches could be worth prospecting.            

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

Wairarapa 

Click here for live weather updates.

After a very big dump of snow last night down below 100m, it has finally stopped falling. The Ruamahanga is up but dropping fast and should be fishable come Saturday. Most anglers' attention, however, will likely be the backcountry rivers and smaller spawning tribs which have just opened. The Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau peaked around mid afternoon yesterday but are almost back to fishable flow already. So, with fine weather forecast, it could be a great option to head into the hills this  weekend.              

The Mangatarere Stream this morning (Credit: Hamish Carnachan)

Manawatu

Click here for live weather updates.  

The Manawatu River is still very large and carrying lots of colour. The Pohangina and Ōroua also have flow and a it of sediment but they are clearing quickly. With a great weather forecast ahead, this weekend could afford anglers the first decent shot at the trout in these waters so far this season! Don't forget the Sport Fly Fishing NZ regional competition is scheduled to run on the Manawatu this weekend from Bluff Rd to Kumeroa. Spectators are welcome, however, you may wish to fish somewhere else if you're after solitude.       

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

Rangitikei 

Click here for live weather updates.

The Rangitikei River is carrying a little colour in the mid/upper reaches but conditions are probably pretty good for spinning going on the image from Pukeokahu (below). The flow gauge forecast for the Rangitikei has it continuing to fall quickly, and with no real rain expected for the next four or five days, it should be all systems go for fishing in this part of the Wellington Fish & Game region.              

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

Top Tip - Fishing Spring Flows

If the last week has shown us anything, it's that the start of the season can throw all manner of conditions at we anglers.

In the space of just 48 hours we had sunny skies and temperatures in the low 20s in the Hutt catchment, to snow down well below 100m lining the banks of many Wairarapa rivers.

Invariably, through, be it Spring rain or late snow melt, the rivers are carrying plenty of extra flow and also colour too at this time of year. This obviously impacts water clarity and, resultingly, visibility for the trout.

Trout also have more expanse of the river to hold in, meaning anglers need to cover more water for their flies or lures to pass close enough for the fish to see.

Spinning and fly fishing with large streamers, therefore, really come into their own in this early part of the season. 

The lures used are much more likely to be seen by trout under reduced visibility.

And because of the nature of the techniques, significantly more water is covered with the streamer or spinner than upstream nymphing, thereby increasing your chances of putting your offering in front of a fish. 

So, if you're struggling to locate trout early season, or aren't getting takes, the solution could be as simple as switching techniques to better suit the conditions.                

Click the screen shot below for some tips to help improve your spin fishing.

Anglers - Have Your Say!                  

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

In case you missed it last week, 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. 

This means anglers can store the maps and access info on their mobile devices, 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.