Wellington Weekly Report 31 October 2019

A stunning weekend across the entire lower North Island is on the cards. 

Blue skies, warm temperatures, good healthy river flows and lively trout in rivers everywhere are going to make for some exceptional fishing conditions. 

Many anglers have been waiting for a weather window to get into the backcountry - this could well be the weekend to do it. 

The rivers in the ranges haven't seen much pressure at all to date so the trout will be very compliant for those lucky enough to get into the hills.   

Meanwhile, the lowland rivers are really firing too, particularly the Ruamahanga which is holding excellent trout numbers from the sea and all the way up to Masterton.  

And despite both the Manawatu and Rangitikei carrying a little colour, both are falling fast and clearing nicely. 

All in all, a great weekend to get into some quality fishing.    

Get your ticket to adventure and get set for the stunning weekend of angling ahead. 

Pictured above right: A lovely day fro trolling lures on the lower Ruamahanga River (Copyright - Andrew Harding)      

Here's the outlook:

Hutt River and tributaries

Click here for live weather updates.

The Hutt River is sitting at 11 cumecs this morning which is good flow given summer drops to 3 cumecs. In layman's terms, though, it means the river is very fishable - as are the smaller tributaries - and the trout will be happy in the current conditions. Beautiful sunny skies with a warm northerly will make for a perfect weekend fishing!       

Kapiti Coast

Click here for live weather updates.

Sunny skies, light winds and perfect fishing flows in each of the Waikanae, Ohau and Otaki makes for some awesome conditions for Kapiti Coast anglers. No excuses not to get into the action!  

Wairarapa

Click here for live weather updates.

The Ruamahanga is sitting at good fishable flow. It has been fishing very well in the mid reaches too. Also of note is that the access at Tilsons Road (behind Greytown) along the edge of the gliding club appears to have been reopened. With good weather forecast it might be an opportunity to explore further up the larger tribs such as the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau.           

Manawatu

Click here for live weather updates.     

It seems like a long time since the Manawatu was fishable but it should be this weekend, perhaps with still a touch of colour which should advantage the angler. The Pohangina and Oroua are good to go, dropping back nicely. And don't forget the Mangatainoka which is holding good numbers from Pahiatua downstream.   

Rangitikei

Click here for live weather updates.

The Rangitikei downstream of Mangaweka is still carrying that milky sediment but has a clear fishable edge. The settled weather means more water and silt should drop out by the time the weekend rolls around, offering some fishable conditions at long last! Fine weather, light winds - perfect!         

Video of the Week 

Click the screen shot above to check out a cool video of some awesome angling action on the Hutt River, courtesy of Pure Fly NZ. 

Tip of the Week - Soft bait for Trout 

This good brown couldn't resists a paddle-tail soft bait. (Copyright Hamish Carnachan)

Want to mix up your spin fishing and try a super-effective method for catching trout? Give soft baits a go. 

Fished properly, soft baits are deadly in freshwater and the variety of patterns and colours that are available make it an incredibly versatile technique.  

A supple braid is better than nylon main line; and jig heads should be 1/12oz or 1/16oz though this may vary depending on the size and depth of the water you're fishing, with larger deeper rivers needing heavy heads.

Take some time to experiment with colours because even outlandish looking soft baits will catch finicky trout, perhaps it's an aggressive reaction. If the fish are shy, go natural to imitate smelt or bullies.

Paddle tail baits are great for giving the lure movement and vibration that can also provoke an aggressive strike. Larger soft baits with a well-defined belly are good for smelt.

Soft baits can be fished upstream or downstream, the latter technique being best for blind fishing larger, deeper water.

When working the soft bait downstream, cast directly across and as you slowly retrieve, twitch the rod tip up and then allow the bait to drop again. This gives the lure a realistic darting action.

If you're fishing up river, cast at a 45-degree angle upstream. The retrieve should be marginally faster than the current, letting the bait swing downstream and behind.

Perhaps the most important aspect of soft baiting is to keep the line tight and maintain contact with the lure because takes can be very gentle, especially with the larger trout.

By Fish & Game field officers Hamish Carnachan and Tony Hawker. 

Webcams

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

Notice board

• Anglers wanting to fish the Rangitikei backcountry must have a licence endorsement for this fishery. Click here to find out more. Or purchase your backcountry endorsement.   
• Fishing regulations changes for the Wellington Fish & Game Region in 2019-2020 might affect you. Find out about the changes here.  
• Don't get a nasty surprise by Greater Wellington Regional Council's river bulldozing ruining your day on the river. Check out the latest schedule of activity here. 
• Flushing flows from the Moawhango Dam, which will cause the rivers downstream (including the Rangitikei) to rise, will be conducted on the following dates: 

Release from Dam 9:00pm Tuesday 10 December 2019 – 9 hours
Release from Dam 9:00pm Tuesday 28 January 2020 – 5 hours
Release from Dam 9:00pm Tuesday 18 February 2020 – 5 hours
Release from Dam 9:00pm Tuesday 17 March 2020 – 5 hours
Release from Dam 9:00pm Tuesday 28 April 2020 – 5 hours (subject to monitoring triggers being met)

More info 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.