Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 12 December 2024

Hot Weekend - Hot Fishing! 

A brief band of rain or showers over much of the Wellington and Taranaki Fish & Game regions today makes way for a beautiful weekend, with some scorching temperatures for some parts too. 

The weather this afternoon might bring rivers up a little, but it should push through quickly allowing anglers to continue to get into the amazing run of fishing we've had so far this season.

Pictured above: Sharna Parker with another cracking Taranaki Ringplain brown (Credit: @inshargram)      

Thanks again to all the anglers who have sent pics through as part of our fishing photo comp, generously sponsored by Wairarapa Hunting & Fishing. There are clearly some awesome trout being caught, among them a superbly conditioned 9lb brown from the Rangitikei catchment!    

Many of us are in the final dash to Christmas and it can be a stressful time. Don't forget that time relaxing on the water - whether you get a fish or not - is incredibly good for your overall wellbeing and mental health so if you are feeling a little under pressure, go cast a line! 

And fishing licences also make superb Christmas presents if you're stuck for ideas; get someone the gift that keeps giving for many months after the festive season.  

Get Amongst The Action!

Jump online and get your licence the easy way - it only takes a minute. Click the image above to get started. 

Here's the outlook this weekend...    

Hutt Valley

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Hutt Valley.

The Hutt River has fallen well back from the rain it received late last weekend and Monday which resulted in a reasonable flood. This part of the region is forecast to miss the band of weather passing through later today but it would still pay to keep an eye on river levels as the Tararua Range is expected to get a pulse of rain. Any fresh is likely to be minor, however, so the sensational run of fishing conditions should continue into the weekend for Hutt anglers.        

The Hutt River at Taita this morning (Photo: John Millar)

Kapiti Coast

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Kapiti Coast. 

The Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau are still carrying plenty of water following the weather event on Monday. At time of writing, though, they are clear and fishable. Flows may spike as more rain pushes through this afternoon but it is expected to be a short, sharp pulse and should see conditions clearing for the weekend. Check the river levels before heading out, and consider heavy nymphs or spinning as an option if the flows remain high and the rivers are carrying added colour.         

The Otaki River at SH1 yesterday (Credit: Phil Teal).  

 

Wairarapa

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Wairarapa region.

The Ruamahanga River and tributaries - the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau - are all looking beautiful this morning having fallen back from a much-needed fresh early in the week . Several trout were seen rising to a mayfly hatch right under the SH2 bridge on the Waiohine. As with the other rivers sources in the Tararua Range, a short bout of rain this afternoon may see the rivers rise briefly before falling back to good fishable condition for what looks like a very hot weekend.               

Check out the latest conditions for the lower Ruamahanga by calling this free-phone number - 083229069.             

The Ruamahanga River at Ponatahi this morning (Photo: Hamish Carnachan).

Manawatu

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Manawatu region.

The Manawatu River is sitting at good fishable flow right throughout its length. The Pohangina and Oroua were also looking clean and clear this morning, with a large school of trout seen at the Raumai Bridge on the former. Rain today may stir things up a little, particularly for the Pohangina and Oroua, which are still laden with silt, but conditions should come right for the weekend again. Check the Mangahoa River which might handle the rain better than the neighbouring waterways.    

The Pohangina River at Raumai this morning (Photo: Matt Kavermann).

Rangitikei

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Rangitikei region.

The Central High Country has had several days of rain but the rivers remain remarkably low, the surrounding land is clearly absorbing the rainfall very quickly, giving an indication of how dry December has been. The Rangitikei River looks to be fishable at Mangaweka this morning going by the webcam image below, despite dropping back from a fresh last night. The Hautapu is also up but falling quickly. Some heavy rain and showers are forecast for today but hopefully this will push through quickly and not affect rivers adversely for the weekend which is expected to be fine and sunny.                

The Rangitikei River at Mangaweka this morning (Photo: Horizons).           
 

Taranaki Ringplain

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Taranaki Ringplain region.

A minor rain event on Monday was short-lived but freshened up streams after three weeks of low flow, particularly those on the Northern Ringplain. Water temperatures have decreased on the back of the front and fish will be in feeding mode come the weekend. Some rainfall is due to arrive today, which may slightly elevate waterways, but this will most likely push through quickly, with Saturday and Sunday bringing warmer, dryer weather and westerly winds.

Check out the up-to-date data on rainfall and river flows. 

The upper Manganui River this morning (Photo: Jack Harland).

Waimarino

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Waimarino region.

Waimarino streams and rivers also had a minor fresh on Monday night but have cleared somewhat. With moderate to heavy rainfall due today, flows will once again be elevated. Westerlies are developing Friday through Sunday, so it will be well worthwhile keeping an eye on waterways as flows drop over the next few days/weekend. 

The live flow data for the Mangawhero River will give an indication of what conditions are like.  

The Mangawhero River at SH4 this morning (Photo: Horizons).

 

Photo Competition - Win A $300 Hunting & Fishing Voucher

A good brown trout for Mark Mclennan from the Waikanae River - with a quick photo and a quick release the fish swam away strongly. 

Send in your favourite fishing photos from this season and you could be in to win a $300 voucher to spend in store at Wairarapa Hunting & Fishing.

We won't blow your secret spot, just include the name of the angler(s), photographer's details, and general location in the Wellington-Taranaki Fish & Game region.

• Click here to submit your entry.

You can send us as many fishing photos as you like. By submitting images to enter the competition you acknowledge that Wellington Fish & Game can publish and use the photos for publicity material.

Entries must be in by 5pm Tuesday, April 2, 2025. The winner will be announced in the Lower North Lowdown report on Thursday, April 4, 2025.

Video of The Week - Mainland Action 

Whether you're heading across Cook Strait for a break this Christmas, or just like to drool over some stunning South Island scenery, this beautifully shot video will surely inspire you to get out on the water. 

Click the screenshot above to check it out, and also pick up some handy tips from legendary guide Tony Entwistle.        

  

Tip of the Week - Reading Water, Finding Fish

One of the issues Fish & Game has identified as a barrier to retaining new anglers in freshwater fishing is that they often spend futile hours casting in the wrong places, and ultimately not catching fish.

We've created a range of resources to help people identify likely holding water where trout will lie so they can get their flies or lures in the 'bite zone'. 

Check out our Reading Water, Finding Fish blog, where you'll also find links to online resources including an instructional video and brochure with handy diagrams.           

 

Stratford Kids’ Trout Fishing Day - This Saturday

Successful angers at the 2023 Stratford Kids Fishing event.

The annual Stratford kids’ trout fishing day is being held this Saturday, December 14, 8am–1pm.

There are still plenty of places available for the event, so book a time slot for your kids or grandkids by visiting the Stratford i-Site in Miranda Street, Stratford, or ringing them on 0800 765 6708.

This event involves the release of 300+ large rainbow trout into the Scout Den Pool in the Patea River within King Edward Park, in the heart of Stratford.

Children will be able to fish from 8am until 1pm with help from Stratford Fishing Club members and volunteers.

The beauty of this trout release is that the fish remain in the vicinity for several months, complementing the Patea River’s resident brown trout population and providing great fishing for novice and expert anglers alike through the school holidays and Christmas period.

The Stratford Fishing Club and Taranaki Fish & Game are very grateful for the longstanding support of the Taranaki Electricity Trust for this event.

 

Check, Clean Dry - Help Protect Waterways

With summer fast approaching and the days getting longer, now is the perfect time to familiarise yourselves with the NEW North Island Check Clean Dry procedures. Click here to watch. 

 

Noticeboard

• Council River Works: Don't let bulldozers in the river ruin your fishing plans. Click here to download a schedule of Greater Wellington Regional Council's latest planned river engineering works.
• Access to Lake Namunamu, near Hunterville, is closed as the access road is upgraded in preparation for the logging of Ngaruru Forest over the next three to five years.

If you have any angling-related information you'd like posted to this noticeboard, including upcoming angling club meetings and outings, 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.