Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 14 November 2024

Angling Options Despite The Weather 

A band of rain moving across the lower North Island and Taranaki regions tonight and into Friday is going to create a few issues for anglers but there are still going to be opportunities.

Heavy rainfall warnings are in place for some - but not all - parts of the region, so keep an eye on what's happening in your patch and use the live river flow links we provide below to plan your outing.     

Pictured - Sharna Parker with a stunning Taranaki Ringplain brown (Photo: @inshargram)  

The weather system is forecast to move through quickly, so that will hopefully give the smaller rivers and upper catchment areas time to clear and present some angling for those wanting to get out over the weekend.

Check out our 'Tip of the Week' below - it may help anglers who find they're confronted by high and discoloured water... you can still catch fish in these conditions!

If you don't get out this weekend, then take time to pull out some pics you've taken of your angling exploits so far this season - it could net you a $300 Hunting & Fishing voucher (read on for details about how to enter).          

Don't Miss Out On 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 still has a good spring flow but was running clear, despite a tinge of colour, at time of writing this morning. Members of the Hutt Valley Angling Club reported seeing fish in the lower reaches yesterday, however, they were proving tough to catch! Club president Al Markham was on the river on Tuesday and hooked fish swinging weighted nymph/spider combo. The heavy rain forecast for the Tararuas overnight tonight will see the river come up quite a lot, making weekend fishing marginal. Depending on the amount of rain received, Sunday could be worth a shot when the fine weather returns. The Pakarutahi may be fishable because its source is in a different catchment.

The Hutt River at Melling yesterday (Photo: Al Markham)

Kapiti Coast

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

The Otaki River is holding moderate flows at time of writing with recent freshes receding quickly. There's a hint of colour but water clarity is still good. The Waikanae and Ohau are looking good too but with the rain warning for the Tararua Range anglers will want to get out today before the Kapiti Coast rivers spike again.   

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 still dropping flow from the unexpected front that hit last Sunday but they are invitingly fishable at time of writing this morning. That's going to change with the rain hitting the ranges overnight however. The Waipoua could be fishable come the weekend depending on how much rain spills out onto the plains; otherwise anglers should scout out the eastern rivers that aren't forecast to get the weather.                     

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

The Waipoua River in Masterton this morning (Photo: Hamish Carnachan).

Manawatu

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

The Manawatu River is once again low and clear right the way through, even in Palmerston North. The Pohangina and Oroua are back to normal spring flows after a minor fresh last weekend. This part of the Wellington Fish & Game region looks to have the best weather window for Saturday and Sunday. However, the amount of rain that falls in the Ruahine Range when the front rolls over tonight and into Friday will dictate the fishing opportunities over the weekend - check the flows before heading out. 

The Manawatu River at Weber Road this morning (Photo: Horizons).

Rangitikei

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

A fresh on Sunday and then again overnight last night has seen the Rangitikei River colour right up again, although the flow isn't too high at time of writing. Unfortunately, with heavy rain forecast for Taihape, Tongariro National Park and the river's headwater catchment, it isn't going to improve before the weekend. The Hautapu still looks fishable but anglers will need to get their fishing fix today before the front arrives.             

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

Taranaki Ringplain

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

We’ve had some beautiful clear weather this week in Taranaki with warmers days and warmer nights teasing the arrival of summer. Anglers around the Ringplain have been rewarded with decent windows of optimal flow and clearer water to catch fish in excellent condition. Various paddle-tail soft baits have been consistently catching, with fly patterns such as toe-biter imitations, tungsten bead nymphs and green caddis in size 12-14 worth a shot. As we move deeper into November, brown beetle imitations may also be well worth a try. 

There is a front expected to arrive Thursday evening through Friday lunchtime, so rivers may be elevated and discoloured for a short period. But, as characteristic of many Ringplain waterways, they rise and fall quickly, meaning they may well be worth a visit on Saturday or Sunday when clearer skies return. Check out the up-to-date data on rainfall and river flows. 

Te Henui Stream at Cumberland Street, New Plymouth (Photo: Jack Harland).

Waimarino

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

The weather forecast for the Waimarino catchment looks slightly wetter than that of the Ringplain, with the approaching front forecast to move through the area at a slower pace, resulting in patchy periods of rain from Thursday to Saturday. Keep an eye out for weather windows between showers, otherwise Sunday is looking fine with an easing southerly but it'll be a matter of finding rivers that haven't been affected by the rainfall - look to upper catchment reaches or spring fed systems. The live flow data for the Mangwhero River will give anglers an indication of what conditions are like for Sunday.  

For more info on fishing opportunities in the Ruapehu region, click here. 

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

 

Photo Competition - Win A $300 Hunting & Fishing Voucher

Gus Solomon with a very well conditioned brown from the Horowhenua region.

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.

Tip of The Week - Fishing High Flows

This lower North Island spring creek was clear when neighbouring rivers were in flood (Credit: Hamish Carnachan)

Just because rivers are carrying colour doesn't mean you can't catch fish. 

In fact, in all but the most heavily flooded waters there is always a chance to catch trout if you adapt to the conditions.

Here are some top tips to help:

1. Use large flies - By this I mean really big flies... even double-hook, articulated streamers! The larger the fly the easier it is for trout to see in brown water or high flows which are holding a lot more suspended sediment. Trout will regularly smash a large streamer in flooded water, dialling in on a moving silhouette. Darker colours work best.
2. Bring out the spinning gear - For the same reasons as above, spin fishing can be more productive because the lures are larger and the shiny flash can make it easy for the trout to see when chasing it in discoloured water.   
3. Fish the edge - Ever noticed that even when a river is in raging flood, the water on the edge out to a couple of feet is remains quite clear? Trout know this and move into the shallow margins to both avoid the high water velocity in the main current and also to feed (often on worms). Believe it or not, fish often can even be spotted by searching the clear edge of a river in spate.
4. Target confluence areas - Smaller streams can carry clearer water during a flood or high flow event; because they are sourced in smaller catchment areas, they sometimes aren't as adversely affected as larger waterways. Where this clear water meets and mingles with the high flow of a larger river, you'll invariably find trout seeking refuge or moving in to feed.
5. Head high up - The higher you get in a catchment, the less it will be affected by rainfall. Also, spring creeks will often remain crystal clear after heavy rain; and rain can often turn lake trout onto the bite so stillwater fisheries are also good places to target. 

- By Hamish Carnachan 

Video of the Week - Upper Manawatu River Firing   

We've heard epic reports of how well the Upper Manawatu has been fishing so far this season. 

This is really encouraging after the hammering the river took in February 2023 when Cyclone Gabrielle hit, and it goes to show how resilient our trout fisheries and rivers are in New Zealand.

Click the screenshot above to watch some action on the Upper Manawatu from last season (Caution: There's some 'colourful' language, so viewer discretion is advised). 

If you'd like to have a crack at the abundant rainbows and browns in the Upper Manawatu this season, check out our access website where you can download maps and info brochures on the fishery.       

Great Option When Rivers Are High

Lake Mangamahoe is Taranaki Fish & Game region’s only designated fly fishing only lake. 

The lake consistently produces large rainbows and browns and, like the other still waters in the region, offers excellent angling opportunities in its own right or when rain has brought local rivers up.

With a walking access loop track running around the entire margin of the lake, finding a sheltered spot is never a problem; fishing into the evening may well produce some action.

 

Stratford Kids’ Trout Fishing Day

This event has been rescheduled to Saturday, December 14. 

Taranaki Fish & Game will liberate around 300 good-sized rainbow trout from its Hawera hatchery into the Scout Den Pool in King Edward Park for this event.

A booking sheet will be at the Stratford i-site from mid-November.

 

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.