Weekly Fishing Report - 26 October 2017

A short sharp pulse of rain overnight has thrown a bit of a spanner in the works but we're confident that the majority of our rivers will cleared this extra flow and be in top shape for the weekend. 

And with fine weather, light winds across most of the region, the fishing should be awesome on both Saturday and Sunday off the back of a small fresh.

If you find the larger rivers are still carrying high flow and a little colour, adapt. Use you spinning gear or track up some of the minor tributaries which are holding good fish numbers at this time of year.

It pays also to recheck the flows before you head out - forecasts can change. At the moment though, it's looking great.   

Nothing more for it other than to remind anglers to grab your fishing licence, do it online the easy way here. Be sure to get our premier Full Season Licence which offers unhindered angling.    

PS - Those anglers likely to be affected by Vodafone terminating its email service, please see the noticeboard below.

Pictured above right: A solid 7lb brown taken by Michael Murphy (Credit: Michael Murphy).

Here's the outlook:

Hutt River and tributaries

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Heavy rain last night has caused the Hutt River to spike but at time of writing it is rapidly dropping. With two days to fall back to fishable flow before the weekend we're going to give this one a tentative green tick. If it's still up we suggest anglers take a look up the tribs - the Akatarawa, for instance, will still be holding post-spawning fish and should drop faster than the mainstem.     

 

Kapiti Coast

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The Kapiti Coast rivers have copped some rain overnight and are high as a result. Like the Hutt they're dropping quickly though. Given the Otaki is a larger catchment and has more water to clear, it might be marginal for the weekend but the smaller streams like the Waikanae should be firing after the fresh.  

 

Wairarapa

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The Ruamahanga is raging after last night's rain and is unlikely to clear before Saturday. The Waiohine and larger tribs spiked but are dropping flow quickly, although there's a long way to go before they're fishable. We suggest anglers target the multitude of smaller streams in the Wairarapa this weekend - they're holding good fish numbers anyway.    

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Manawatu

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Still a case of forgetting the Manawatu below the gorge as it's still murky. Above its okay for spinning and might even work for fly anglers further up around Weber Road. The Oroua is okay at time of writing. The Mangatainoka is up but dropping flow quickly - get an update before you go as it may be fishable by Saturday. The Pohangina is on the up and unlikely to clear for the weekend.

 

Rangitikei

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The Rangitikei is looking great high up around Mangaweka, but still murky in the Vinegar Hill vicinity and downstream. The problem with forecasting this week though is that at time of writing we're registering a very slight flow increase and it's impossible to tell whether this is major or just a minor fluctuation. We'll give it a tentative green but please recheck the flow before you head out that way.   

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Tip of the Week - Hit The Small Streams

The biggest step an angler can make in the transition from casting proficiently to regularly catching trout is understanding where the fish are likely to be.

One of the most common mistakes made by anglers who are new to freshwater fishing is putting their flies or lures in the ‘wrong’ places. The prime focus should be locating feeding trout, which will be found where there is an abundant food supply, cover or deep water for shelter, and well-oxygenated water.

Finding a place where all of these requirements are met – termed, reading water – will result in the angler finding trout... and hopefully catching them too!

We’ve produced a brochure that is dedicated to ‘Reading Water, Finding Fish’ in any river environment.

Download by clicking the image above, or if you'd prefer a hard copy ask at our office (06-359-0409 or email) for this or other resources we’ve designed to help you catch more fish and get greater enjoyment from your angling.

By Wellington Fish & Game officer Hamish Carnachan.

Video of the week

Check out how good we Wellington Fish & Game region anglers have got it - more backcountry magic caught on camera by Andrew Harding.

Click the screenshot below to watch...

 

Fish & Game mag available online

Click on the cover image above to visit Fish & Game NZ magazine, where you'll find a heap of useful info, videos and articles to help you maximise your angling enjoyment and success.

You can also enter to win an Epic fly rod worth $1500!

Notice board

• Email updates - If you are a Vodafone email customer you're will be affected by the company closing the service at the end of Nov. Please don't forget to email us your updated details so you can continue receiving our Weekly Fishing Reports.   
• River bulldozing - Don't let this activity by Greater Wellington Regional Council ruin your fishing. Click here for the latest schedule of river destruction (you can also register your complaints through this page).
• Ruamahanga access at Gliding Club (Greytown). Anglers are being directed to the Tilsen Road access.
• Moawhanga Flushing Flows - An early alert that these will be conducted over the following dates: 

- 12/13 December
- 23/24 January (after Wellington anniversary weekend)
- 13/14 February
- 13/14 March
- 17/18 April

  

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 - please ensure you check the latest weather and river flow information before you head out on the water.