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There's a north and south situation this weekend, with heavy showers forecast for the former and fine conditions expected for the lower half of the region.

That's not say the likes of the Rangitikei and rivers draining the Ruahines won't be fishable because at the moment the periodic rain is not predicted to come to much, so just keep a close eye on the latest forecasts. 

It's well worth getting out if you can. The rivers are really firing - good fishing conditions and plenty of trout about with great reports from the Ruamahanga and larger Manawatu tribs. 

If you're slow on uptake, get your licence here and get into the action. And why not make someone else's Christmas, get them a licence.  

This is the last full report for the year - abridged versions with relevant links to weather and river flows will run from next week and through the New Year period. We will recommence the full reports from January 16.

From ll the Wellington Fish & Game team, we wish you a safe and happy Christmas!    

Pictured above right: Idyllic conditions on a Manawatu River trib yesterday - not the school of 20 medium and large trout in the foreground (Credit Hamish Carnachan)

Here's the outlook:

Hutt River and tributaries

Click here for live weather updates.

The Hutt River and tributaries are in tip top shape. A few drizzly showers are forecast for Saturday and Sunday but if anything this will benefit the fishing.                

Kapiti Coast

Click here for live weather updates.

The Waikanae, Ohau and Otaki are all looking great - carrying a bit of extra flow at present but falling back to perfect conditions for the weekend.       

Wairarapa

Click here for live weather updates.

The Ruamahanga has a hint of colour from rain earlier in the week but is fishing well to spinners and will be clear by Saturday. The Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau are all green light for go.                 

Manawatu

Click here for live weather updates.     

The Manawatu and tribs - including the Pohangina, Oroua and Mangatainoka - are in prefect shape for fishing. The larger waterways have just got a hint of colour which is perfect for the angler. Keep a weather watch for the rain coming through Saturday morning. 

Rangitikei

Click here for live weather updates.

Lovely conditions on the Rangitikei and tribs this morning. The Hautapu is well worth a look with good reports coming in about the size and number of fish holding at the moment. Some heavy showers are forecast for the central high country early in the weekend so please check the latest flows before venturing out. 

Tip of the Week - Cover Both Bases

A hint of colour in the water is ideal for spin angling (Copyright Hamish Carnachan).   

Fishing with my daughter on the Ruamahanga recently, it was sheeted home to me how beneficial it is to cover both bases - spin and fly- when angling.  

Despite a recent lack of rain, there was a noticeable hint of colour in the river on this particular day, probably the regional council's bulldozing vandals somewhere further upstream.

While conditions might still have been clear enough for fly fishing, I got hammered by Isla who out-fished me with her spinning gear six to zip! (Perhaps she's just a better angler...)

When the river has got some taint in it (either from a clearing flood or mechanical intervention) the larger spinning lures come into their own because the trout can struggle to see small nymph imitations. 

The suspended sediment obviously reduces clarity and trout therefore only have a split-second to decide whether to snap at a lure or let it pass and potentially miss a feed. 

Spin anglers will be well aware of the frustrations that come from fishing lures in very clear water, with trout often following the lure right to the bank before denying the offering.

The point is, in clear flow they have too much time to discern the deception of an artificial lure from a real food item.

So, it always pays to cover both bases. Take both sets of gear with you to the river because, even with the best forecasts, there's always the chance that conditions might not be what you expected. 

Just be aware that you can only legally fish with one rod.  

By Fish & Game field officers Hamish Carnachan. 

Webcams

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

Notice board

• Anglers wanting to fish the Rangitikei backcountry must have a licence endorsement for this fishery. Click here to find out more. Or purchase your backcountry endorsement.   
• Fishing regulations changes for the Wellington Fish & Game Region in 2019-2020 might affect you. Find out about the changes here.  
• Don't get a nasty surprise by Greater Wellington Regional Council's river bulldozing ruining your day on the river. Check out the latest schedule of activity here. 
• Northern Ruahine 1080 operations are going to be conducted by DOC. Please click here to find out what catchments are to be affected. A facts sheet can be found here. 
• Flushing flows from the Moawhango Dam, which will cause the rivers downstream (including the Rangitikei) to rise, will be conducted on the following dates: 

Release from Dam 9:00pm Tuesday 28 January 2020 – 5 hours
Release from Dam 9:00pm Tuesday 18 February 2020 – 5 hours
Release from Dam 9:00pm Tuesday 17 March 2020 – 5 hours
Release from Dam 9:00pm Tuesday 28 April 2020 – 5 hours (subject to monitoring triggers being met)

More info 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.