Rivers

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Rivers North of Greymouth
Karamea/Mokihinui Area
Arnold River
Lower Grey River
Upper Ahaura and Haupiri Rivers
Mawheraiti River (Little Grey River)
Rough River
Ohikanui River
Buller River
Inangahua River
Waitahu River
Larrys (Awarau) River

Rivers South of Greymouth
South Westland
Taramakau River
Hokitika River
Murray and Harris Creeks
Mahinapua Creek
Mikonui River
Waitaha River
Wanganui River
Paerua River
La Fontaine
Waitangi-Taona
Okarito River

Rivers (North of Greymouth)

Karamea/Mokihinui Area

Little Wanganui River offers good fishing from the Wangapeka Valley or Blue duck. (Sth bank) Please ask landowners permission for access. Mouth accessible from Little Wanganui Hotel (Nth. bank) or via the subdivision Rd. Upper catchments of these rivers are truly wild and scenic and difficult to reach. (Call at Karamea information centre for more on this area).

Methods: Larger holes and runs in mid – lower sections of these rivers are more suited to spin fishing although during normal flows great opportunities for spotting feeding fish, particularly early morning/evening. Mid-late summer ‘blind’ dry fly fishing can also be rewarding.

Arnold River

The Arnold exits Lake Brunner before joining the Grey River 15kms from Greymouth at Stillwater. It holds a high population of medium sized brown trout and is usually fishable in all but extreme flows.

Access: Watch closely for signs at marked access points along the Arnold Valley Rd. between Stillwater and Moana.

1. Kokiri Bridge adjacent to the freezing works. Access is available up and downstream.
2. Old Arnold Road between the Arnold River and Arnold Valley Rd. Two access locations are marked along this road.
3. Upstream of Arnold Creek (signposted).
4. Below the Arnold Dam.
5. Aratika, sign posted on the gate. Contact R.L. or D.M. Milne on 03 738 0038.
6. Arnold River Bridge near Aratika. Fish either up or downstream.
7. Kotoku; turn off the road following the true right of the Molloy Creek.
8. Moana Footbridge at the outlet of Lake Brunner.

Methods: The Arnold is popular with fly anglers especially during the prolific evening hatches of Oct/Nov and March/April. Fly fishing is favoured but all methods are successful.

Lower Grey River

Excellent access is available to the Lower Grey from roads on both sides up to Ikamatua. Popular access points are Greymouth, Omoto Racecourse, Taylorville, Stillwater Bridge, Matai, Blackball, Ahaura, Totara Flat and Ikamatua. Where the river does not run alongside the road, permission must be obtained from landowners. Please respect property, fasten gates and leave no litter.

Methods: Spin fishing is popular all along the mid and lower Grey River. Bait fishing is also productive in the lower river but is best early in the season up to late November. Fly fishing is best in the evening when trout often rise to hatches at dusk. Fly fishing with nymphs can be productive during the day, particularly in shallow riffles.

Upper Ahaura and Haupiri Rivers

Access: Turn off the Greymouth – Reefton highway at Ngahere, travel through Nelson Creek and on to Kopara (sign-posted). The Haupiri River is crossed 1km past Lake Haupiri. Further on this road leads to the upper Ahaura and tributaries such as the Trent and Waiheke.

Travellers on this route also have the opportunity to fish the Haupiri River. To gain access to the upper reaches of both rivers, landowners must be contacted in advance. Upper Haupiri River, Gloria Vale Christian Community Ph 03 738 0224.

Upper Ahaura, Mr Bill Perry Ph 03 738 0221. Access to the Upper Ahaura is rough and best suited to the fit angler.

Methods: These waters are influenced by heavy floods and fish numbers vary, however the mid – Haupiri normally supports good trout numbers and the upper Ahaura consistently produces good sized fish.

Mawheraiti River (Little Grey River)

This is a Grey tributary joining at Ikamatua (between Greymouth and Reefton). The Mawheraiti is a smallish tea coloured stream usually holding good numbers of medium sized trout.

Access: Available from the Atarau Road Bridge or where SH7 crosses the Mawheraiti River. Where the river does not run alongside the road, permission must be obtained from adjacent landowners.

Methods: Nymph and dry fly both work well here. Spinning is effective during freshes, particularly in lower reaches.

Rough River

The Rough also enters the Grey River at Ikamatua and provides challenging fishing for predominantly large brown trout.

Access: The lower reaches are accessed from the Atarau Road Bridge and the upper reaches via Mirfins Road on the true left. Access to the river may be gained via the old sawmill.

Methods: Water is usually very clear and best suited to dry fly and nymph techniques for fish that become more wary as the season progresses.

Ohikanui River

Scenic bouldery bush clad Buller tributary accessible from S/H 6. Suitable both spinning and fly fishing in lower reaches, dry or nymph from about 1 hour's walk upstream. Recommended that at least a full day be set aside to fish this river.

Buller River

The Buller enters the sea at Westport after its long journey from the Nelson Lakes. Upstream of Lyell the river lies within the Nelson/Marlborough Fish & Game Region. Good numbers of medium sized brown trout are plentiful in the early to mid part of the season and sea-runners inhabit lower reaches before migrating up river later.

Access: True Right (Westport town side): Easy access is available from the picnic area at the bridge and above to the domain area. Good access is also possible from Reedy’s Road which is the only turnoff at the end of Victoria Rd. Alternatively, turn left off Victoria Road to Te Kuha.

True Left: The Buller River is easily accessible for many kilometres off the adjacent SH6.

Methods: Bait and spin fishing are the preferred methods in the larger holes and runs, but fly fishing can also be productive especially at evening when trout often feed near the surface on hatching nymphs. Side braids, shallow runs and the edges may be fished with a heavier nymph such as Hares Ear or a large stonefly imitation. The Buller near Westport is popular, with good sea run trout regularly taken during the spring as they enter the river during whitebait season. Spin fishers do best with a bully or smelt imitation, although standard patterns such as the silver slice and toby can also be effective. Large wet (streamer type) flies such as Parson’s Glory, Hopes Silvery, Dorothy and Grey Ghost can be effective in the right conditions, especially at night.

Inangahua River

Access: Angling is most popular in the middle reaches, both above and below Reefton. Above Reefton, SH7 follows close to the true right of the river and there are many locations where easy access off the side of the road is available. Although there are medium sized fish in the upper section, they are usually outnumbered by smaller trout. Access downstream of Reefton is more difficult, although landowners are helpful if asked and ‘Anglers Access’ signs are located in places where access has been negotiated. Brazils, O’Grady, Golf links and the Perseverance Road provide easy access roads directly to the river. The Landing Bridge is another and following the Larry or Waitahu rivers down to the confluence also provides quick access.

Methods: All methods work well, with spinning the most popular when the river is high. The mid-section around the Stony confluence is most suited to a heavy nymph fished near the edges. A large dry fly in any popular pattern, will often produce a fish from the deeper runs.

Waitahu River

This is the largest of the Inangahua River tributaries approximately 4.5km north of Reefton. The Waitahu provides opportunities for spotting and stalking trout in a particularly scenic setting.

Access: The main access is along Gannons Road off S/H 69. A 4WD is advisable beyond the bridge at the end of the tar seal and the track maintains good contact with the true right bank enabling easy access upstream for 9-10kms. For the more active a walk further up to the Montgomerie is recommended. The Waitahu holds good sized fish throughout, while the Montgomerie is a mid-sized tributary offering excellent headwater angling prospects.

Methods: Some spin fishing is possible in the larger pools following freshes but high-water clarity during summer means it is more suited to the fly fisher. Heavy nymph in deeper runs most effective, but don’t overlook the fish in seemingly impossibly deep holes. They can sometimes be tempted to rise.

Larrys (Awarau) River

Another tributary of the Inangahua, located approximately 15km north of Reefton along SH69. The Awarua supports good numbers of medium to large trout and some of 'trophy' size.

Access: Turn right off SH69 onto a forestry road. If you prefer to fish upstream drive to picnic area at the road end. Continue by foot along the track that eventually leads back to the river. For downstream fishers, access is available directly in front of the picnic area or from the SH69 Bridge.

Methods: As for the Waitahu River, fishing is good all season but as the season progresses so does the required skill level.

Rivers (South of Greymouth)

South Westland

Fishing Techniques: Many of the rivers mentioned support trout populations which fluctuate depending on the time of year. The usual pattern is for the lower reaches of the major rivers to carry more fish in spring and early summer, after which trout move upstream to occupy mid-headwater habitats. Smaller streams generally fish best in early season before water temperatures increase and trout become active for shorter periods. Evening fishing is usually best in mid to late summer when insect hatches peak. Sea Run Salmon turn up in the regions lakes and rivers from January with numbers peaking in March. River fishing and trolling in South Westland lakes is popular.

Spinning: Spin anglers are advised to use light line (3kg max.) and small (7g) lures where circumstances permit, especially in clear water and during low flows. Popular colours are green and gold, black and gold, black, and white or silver near river mouths.

Bait Fishing: Bait fishing is permitted in all waters. Smelt and large bullies are often very effective in tidal areas.

Fly Fishing: A range of nymph sizes and weights is recommended depending on the water. Heavy hare and copper, stonefly or similar bead head patterns are useful for deeper headwater pools and riffles, while size 12-16 is necessary for spring fed streams and side braids where a more delicate presentation is required. Good streamer patterns for estuary fishing include Parsons Glory, Grey Ghost and Yellow Dorothy. After dark try Red Shadow, Black Hairy Dog or Dark Hopes Silvery. Commonly used dry flies include Deer Hair, Mole Fly or a similar good floater for big water, Adams, Khaki Queen Coachman or Blue Dun for smaller water. As always fly size and presentation are the keys to success.

Boat Fishing: A popular method for trout and salmon in lakes. In South Westland lakes deeper trolling is recommended for both trout and salmon when surface temperatures are warm. A down rigger or 4-6 colours of leadline is useful. For salmon large zed-spinners in silver, yellow or white are a popular choice. For trout a toby type lure in black or green and gold is commonly used. Harling a large streamer type lure over shallow weed beds can bring success, especially in low light conditions.

Taramakau River

Good access for most of its length off SH73. Brown trout are resident throughout, some rainbows are present in upper section. Salmon from January to April. The stretch of river between Jacksons and Kumara is ideal for quick stops.

Hokitika River

Easy access is available in the lower reaches which usually hold 1-2kg browns and sea-runners in early season. Some sea-run salmon arrive between January and April. The middle reaches are accessible off Kokatahi Road which leads through Kowhitirangi to the Hokitika Gorge. Rainbows are present in the upper reaches and in the Whitcombe tributary, 1-2 hour's walk from the road end. Accessible mid section tributaries include Kokatahi, Styx and Toaroha River.

Murray and Harris Creeks

Smaller spring fed streams accessible from Kokatahi/Kowhitirangi Rd. Permission from adjacent landowners essential. Brown trout between 1-3kg are typical. This is a popular fishery close to a population centre so catch and release is requested.

Mahinapua Creek

Enters the Hokitika near the mouth on south side. The best access is via Golf Links Road. Turn hard right over Mahinapua Creek Bridge and follow dirt road to confluence. Good early season tidal water for sea-run browns, especially when main river is in flood. Large perch inhabit the creek above tidal reach.

Mikonui River

The lower reaches are best for the casual angler. Easy access can be gained to the tidal portion of Mikonui from SH6 Bridge. Upper reaches are accessible by taking first right turn Nth. of Ross. This road also gives access to Totara River Gorge.

Waitaha River

The section of river from the bridge down 2-3km to the mouth is best. Turn west at the north end of bridge on SH6. Good sized trout may be expected, also salmon from January - April.

Wanganui River

Poerua River

The best water is downstream of SH6. Peterson Road (turn off at Harihari) follows the lower river giving access to tidal water, a short walk from road end. River mouth often provides good fishing for sea-run browns, and in some years, salmon.

La Fontaine

A delightful spring fed tributary of the Wanganui River. Access is available at various marked points off La Fontaine Road (turn off at Harihari). The upper section is accessible off Petersons Rd. If in doubt about access ask at nearest farmhouse. An abundance of brown trout around 1 to 3 kg but for inexperienced anglers can be challenging.

Waitangi-Taona

A medium sized river, which flows crystal clear in normal conditions. Good trout numbers in the lower section which is easily accessible from the Lower Whataroa Flat Rd. Turn off at Whataroa and the follow signs to ‘White Heron Sanctuary Tours’ boat launching ramp. Approximately 4 to 5km of good water are available above and below this point.

Okarito River

Contains a resident brown trout population and sea-run salmon from December to March. Access is difficult due to the forest terrain and steep river gradient but try near the source (Lake Mapourika outlet) and near Zalas Creek (Power house) confluence, 15mins drive from Franz Josef.

Recommended rivers further south include the Paringa, Jacobs, Okuru, Turnbull and Jacksons. Most major river mouths and estuarine areas in South Westland fish well for sea-run browns during spring and early summer. Feathered lures representing whitebait, smelt and other forage fish are effective. Darker patterned lures work best in discoloured water or at night. Access to upper and lower sections of most rivers south of Fox Glacier is complex and usually only possible with the benefit of local advice.