Rakaia River

Introduction

Originating in the Southern Alps, the Rakaia is susceptible to rain in the mountains and can flood quickly. The Rakaia is home to one of New Zealand's salmon fisheries with runs from November to March each season. The Rakaia also supports a population of sea-run trout in the lower reaches, and river resident trout in the middle and upper reaches.

Getting There

The Rakaia River is located sixty kilometres southeast of Christchurch. The most popular access routes from Christchurch are via the North Rakaia Huts, the State Highway 1 Bridge and the State Highway 77 Bridge. Roads run up either side of the river from which smaller access tracks lead out to the water. Most legal access routes on the Rakaia are marked with Fish & Game Angler Access signs at the place where they lead off the formed road.

The Mouth & Lagoon

The Rakaia mouth and lagoon are popular with both salmon and trout anglers. The surf alongside the river mouth, the gut where the river narrows prior to entering the sea, and the tidal lagoon are all prime fishing areas. Surf fishing for salmon is highly variable but is worth trying anytime the sea is calm and clear. At times the sea can be clear when the river is dirty. The river mouth gut tends to fish best in the middle stages of the incoming tide when the current has slowed but not stopped altogether. Mid-January through to mid-March is the prime time to fish the river mouth for salmon. Sea run trout fishing is best between November and February, especially when the river is discoloured. Trout feed on native smelt in shallow fast-flowing riffles, and the fishing tends to be better towards low tide when there is more current flow. Access to the mouth and lagoon is through the hut settlements on either side of the river. The mouth is highly mobile and can be found anywhere from one to four kilometres from the road ends. A boat or ATV is a great help for accessing this part of the river.

The Lower Reaches (Mouth to SH1)

This is the most popular reach of the river. Salmon fishing is best in the first days that the river is clear after a flood. Fish tend to move quickly through this section of the river, and anglers are advised to find a good piece of water and wait for the fish to come to them. Access is best on the south side, from the various tracks leading off Acton Road. The most popular are Dobbins Ford, Griggs Road and Maginisses. This part of the river fishes particularly well in December and January, although fish can continue to run until the end of March.

The Middle Reaches (SH1 to SH 77)

Salmon slow down in this part of the river, and anglers should spend more time on the move looking for fish. Fishing through a pool a couple of times before moving onto new water is the most successful technique. Jet boats, drift boats and ATVs are popular tools for finding places where salmon are resting. Good access is available from both sides of the river off the Rakaia Terrace and Rakaia-Methven roads. Good water can usually be found from Lowes Cutting, Sleemans Road, Steels Road and Te Pirita Road.

The Upper Reaches (above SH77)

Salmon fishing above SH77 is best between January and March. The salmon may have lost some of their body condition by the time they reach this part of the river, but this is more than offset by the spectacular scenery on offer. Access to the gorge section of the river is the preserve of boat anglers. However, the riverbed opens up about ten kilometres above the gorge, and good access is available, especially from Double Hill Run Road on the south side.

Kowhai Flat is a popular access route and camping location in this section of the river. Please note that salmon fishing is not permitted beyond the white posts (upper salmon limit) just before the Lake Coleridge Tailrace, so check the regulations and access map before heading out.

Trout fishing is also good in this section of the river, particularly in pools containing permanent water and large boulders. A number of spring-fed tributaries enter the upper reaches of the Rakaia, which provide excellent trout fishing regardless of the colour of the main river.

Methods

Salmon

The fast-flowing nature of the Rakaia means that spinning is the most effective salmon fishing technique. A medium-heavy actioned rod of 2-2.5 metres in length coupled with a fixed or free spool reel capable of holding 200 metres of 7-10kg line is ideal for most salmon fishing situations. “Zed spinners” and “Colorado spoons’ are the lure of choice for river mouth and upriver anglers. These must be fished as close to the bottom as possible in order to get a bite from these reluctant fish which do not feed during their freshwater migration. Selecting the right place to fish is the secret to successful salmon angling. A good salmon pool should offer slow water adjacent or near to the main current flow. Fishing in the small side braids is seldom successful. Surf anglers use heavy lures such as the “ticer” or “slice”, which are designed for long-distance casting. These should be fished midway in the water column and so long rods and high-speed reels are favoured.

Sea Run Brown Trout

Streamer flies that closely imitate native smelt are the lure of choice for sea-run trout. Parsons Glory, Hopes Silvery, and Yellow Rabbit in sizes 2-6 are the most popular. These can either be fished with a heavy fly rod and fast-sinking line or with a “lure rod”, monofilament line, and lead sinker. The last hour of daylight is the best time to fish for sea-run trout, especially after a warm day when the smelt have been running.

Upriver Trout

Traditional fly and spin fishing techniques work well for upriver trout. The silt content of the water makes sight fishing difficult, and so anglers tend to use blind fishing techniques. The Black Toby and Tasmanian Devil are the lure of choice for spin anglers, while fly fishermen use streamer flies or weighted nymphs. Dry fly anglers are likely to be disappointed as there are few insect hatches and little surface activity in the main stem of the Rakaia. Although most river resident trout are brown trout, populations of rainbow trout are found in the upper reaches and tributary streams.

Regulations

A current sports fishing licence is required for trout. If you are fishing for salmon, you will need a Sea-Run salmon Licence. This includes fishing within 500 metres of where it flows into the sea. Please consult a current Regulation Guide before you commence fishing.

For more details on Sea-Run salmon use this link: FAQ's for Sea-Run Salmon Anglers

Further Information

Fishing conditions in the Rakaia River and surf are highly variable, with storms and floods occurring at regular intervals throughout the season. To avoid disappointment and possible danger, anglers are strongly advised to check conditions before leaving home.

The following information sources should be of help...

Use this link: ECan River Flow Service

This website service is very useful for showing the river flow at the gorge. The Rakaia generally becomes fishable for trout once it drops below 240 cumecs and fishable for salmon below 180 cumecs.