A Case Of Wait And Watch     

Good numbers of trout were seen in this Tararua backcountry stream last weekend before the rain arrived (Credit: Hamish Carnachan).

After torrential rain that caused significant flooding in the lower part of the Wellington Fish & Game region, it's a case of wait and watch to see if the rivers fall enough in time for the weekend.

And with more rain forecast for the end of the weekend, the window of opportunity for getting out on the water is narrow. 

Our pick would be the smaller streams and tributaries, which look to be clearing pretty quickly. Sneak out for a fish Saturday, then earn some brownie points by going shopping or tidying up those pre-Christmas chores when the rain arrives.        

The one upshot of the recent weather is that it will set the rivers up really well for when the inevitable hot and dry summer conditions start to prevail.   

Don't forget to grab your licence before you get bogged down in the silly season. See you on the water!    

Here's the outlook:

Hutt River and tributaries

Click here for live weather updates.

The Hutt is high and carrying colour and reports suggest it will be touch and go whether it's fishable over the weekend. The Akatarawa, Pakarutahi and other tribs, however, are actually starting to clear as we write so anglers keen to get out this weekend should target these smaller waters where good numbers of trout are still holding.          

The Hutt River at Moonshine this morning (Credit: Steve Doughty)  

 

Kapiti Coast

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The Waikanae, Otaki and Ohau rivers are all falling after the heavy rainfall early this week. As you can see from the Otaki (below) there is still plenty of flow and sediment and it could take several more days to be back at a fishable state. Perhaps a weekend for tying flies, otherwise look to the smaller tributaries.    

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

     

Wairarapa

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The Ruamahanga is high and has lots of colour at time of writing. The good news is the larger tributaries - the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau - have dropped their extra flow quickly and looking at the Waiohine (below) it is almost fishable with a nice clear edge. Take extra care if you're wading. The Waipoua could be worth a look having received a welcome top up after being very low for some weeks.        

The Waiohine at SH2 this morning (Credit: Hamish Carnachan).

                   

Manawatu

Click here for live weather updates.     

The Manawatu River is likely out for the weekend unless you head high up in the catchment - it is bank-to-bank and will be carrying colour for several days yet. The Pohangina and Orua are outside chances for the weekend, though anglers may find better fishing in the Mangatainoka or smaller tribs upstream of the gorge this weekend. 

The Manawatu River at Teachers College (Credit: Horizons)

 

Rangitikei

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The Rangitikei is again nice and clear up at Pukeokahu but coloured up at Mangaweka. This would indicate the Hautapu, Moawhango and Kawhatau are likely contributing plenty of flow and sediment. The predicted river levels based on forecast rain unfortunately doesn't make good reading for anglers in this part of the region.                           

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

 

Angling News

The Wellington Fish & Game Newsletter is hot off the press! Click the image below to download a copy. 

 

Armchair Angling!  

Here's a little teaser of the world-class angling on offer in the Wellington Fish & Game region. 

Click the screen shot below to check it out.  

 

 Webcams

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

 

Notice board  

 

• Wellington Fish & Game has been advised of the following dates for flushing flows from the Moawhango Dam:

  
   9:00 pm Tuesday 14 December to 6:00 am Wednesday 15 December 2021
   9:00 pm Tuesday 25 January to 2:00 am Wednesday 26 January 2022
   9:00 pm Tuesday 15 February to 2:00 am Wednesday 16 February 2022
   9:00 pm Tuesday 15 March to 2:00 am Wednesday 16 March 2022
   9:00 pm Tuesday 3 May to 2:00 am Wednesday 4 May 2022 (river ecological state dependent)

     
• Review Update - Work on implementing the recommendations outlined in the review of Fish & Game continues. The Review Implementation Steering Group has an update for interested licence holders here. 
      
• 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.

  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.