Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 9 November 2023

Hutt River and Tributaries

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The Hutt River is falling back nicely after a short pulse of rain on Tuesday. It has a hint of colour today but is still very fishable for fly anglers; with the extra flow spin fisher might hold the advantage though. Expect normal spring flows by Saturday. With fine conditions and warmer temps it could be worth looking for a rise in the evenings too - brown beetles are starting and twilight is a great time to dupe the wily Hutt browns.                   

Hutt River at Trentham this morning. (Credit: Al Markham)

Kapiti Coast 

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Lovely weather once again on the Kapiti Coast this morning. The Waikanae, Ohau and Otaki are all running beautifully clear with slightly higher spring flows. The forecast for the weekend is stunning so be sure to maximize on these great conditions.             

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

Wairarapa 

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The Ruamahanga has considerably more volume this morning at time of writing but is still a beautiful clear emerald green. The Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau are similar, and with the forecast we have at the moment it could be a great weekend to explore up into the headwaters which should be fishing superbly.           

The Ruamahanga River at 'The Cliffs' this morning (Credit: Hamish Carnachan).

Manawatu

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Same story as last week - the Manawatu has a clear edge above the gorge but downstream it is badly affected by silt from the Pohangina. The upper reaches could be fishable by Saturday. Surprisingly, the Oroua looks to be clearing nicely and could finally be worth an explore if the sediment keeps dropping out over today and tomorrow. The Mangatainoka and Mangahoa are looking great - sitting at the lowest flows they've had for a month.                                            

The Oroua River at Almadale this morning (Credit: Horizons).

Rangitikei 

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The Rangitikei River is carrying a little colour at Pukeokahu this morning but is still quite fishable in these middle/upper reaches - this will only improve into the weekend with fine weather all the way through to next week. At Mangaweka, however, it is still too murky. The Hautapu River has been high but it's falling quickly and could be worth a look on Sunday. 

The Rangitikei River at Pukeokahu this morning (Credit: Horizons).

Taranaki Ringplain

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After a minor pulse in flow early on Wednesday morning, all rivers and streams are receding and will be back to normal by the weekend. The weather forecast is looking good both days, so it's a great time to get out fishing. The lack of significant freshes since mid-October means that streambed algae is accumulating in the lower reaches of some waterways and a brown beetle imitation or lightly weighed nymph cast to sighted fish or drifted down foam lines will be the way to go there. The middle and upper reaches are looking pretty good. Water temperatures remain favourable, with a dusting of fresh snow on Taranaki Maunga on Wednesday morning, and trout should be on the feed. Check out the latest live flow data for Ringplan rivers.

Patea River at Stratford this morning (Credit: Allen Stancliff).

Waimarino

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Waimarino streams and rivers had a decent fresh overnight on Tuesday but flows are already on the way down and everything should be fishable by the weekend. Like Taranaki, Mount Ruapehu received a dusting of fresh snow overnight Wednesday, which means wet wading may be a little cool over the weekend but no doubt the fish will be enjoying it and will be on the bite. The Mangawhero River at Pakihi Road has colour but is dropping fast and should be fishable come Saturday.     

The Mangawhero River at Pakihi Road this morning. Credit: Horizons.

Don't get an unwelcome surprise by Greater Wellington Regional Council's river bulldozing impacting your day on the river.

The weekly activity schedule can be found here.

Notice Board

• Moawhango Flushing Flow dates for 2024 have been confirmed:

  • 12/13 Dec, 21:00-06:00
  • 23/24 Jan, 21:00-02:00
  • 13/14 Feb, 21:00-02:00
  • 12/13 Mar, 21:00-02:00
  • 30/01 Apr, 21:00-02:00

• Deer culling operations in the Rangitikei Remote Experience Zone - The Sika Foundation will be undertaking another series of aerial deer operations in this area, including thermal assisted aerial hind focused management, for the last two weeks of November 2023. For more information, check out the foundation's latest Facebook post.  

• Baring Head carpark and track closure - Through November contractors will start constructing firebreaks in the Wainuiomata River Valley. This may result in temporary closure to carparks and tracks impacting those using the lower river reaches. Please contact Greater Wellington Regional Council for more details.     

• Lake Mangamahoe near New Plymouth (fly fishing only) recently received a release of hatchery rainbows and there are also a few nice browns cruising the lake margins.
   
• Lake Ngangana at Waitara is temporarily closed to fishing owing to an algal bloom. We'll keep you updated about conditions and when it opens again.
   
• Lake Namunamu will be closed to public access from early November 2023 for logging operations. Access to the lake is likely to be restricted for at least three years, however, Earnslaw-One has promised to let us know if there are opportunities to access the lake during breaks in harvest.

 If you have any information you'd like to have considered for addition to the notice board, 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.