Bonus Fishing Day This Long Weekend

Finn Harding with a lovely estuarine brown trout from the lower Ruamahanga last weekend - one of many trout and numerous fat perch caught (Credit: Andrew Harding)

Welcome to our abridged fishing report for this week.

Staff are currently out in the field so there is no commentary on conditions, however the links provided will take you to the live updated flows and weather for the river and region you plan to fish.

Don't forget that it's Labour Day on Monday, which means you've got a bonus day to get into some of the fantastic fishing that has been on offer - make the most of it! 

While some anglers may head into the hills (weather dependent), the lowland fisheries have been firing, particularly the lower river reaches. 

Noteworthy are the exceptional catches coming from the lower Ruamahanga River with fat trout and perch chasing hordes of whitebait and smelt.

You don't need a boat either as land-based anglers fishing around the 'boat club' - near the barrage gates - are doing well too!   

If you're heading north and out of the region, don't forget that almost every river you cross is a potential fishing opportunity so be sure to pack a rod and reel, and take a few breaks to throw a line in.       

If you haven't yet bought a licence, buy one online here and make the most of the awesome early-season angling on offer.

The full Lower North Lowdown report service resumes next week.

Here's the outlook:

Hutt River and tributaries

Click here for live weather updates.

Click the highlighted links for live river flow information for the Hutt and Akatarawa rivers.   

Kapiti Coast

Click here for live weather updates.

Click the highlighted links for live river flow information for the Waikanae, the Otaki and the Ohau rivers.    

Wairarapa

Click here for live weather updates.

Click the highlighted links for live river flow information for the Ruamahanga, the Waipoua, the Waiohine and Kopuaranga rivers.

Manawatu

Click here for live weather updates.     

Click the highlighted links for live river flow information for the Manawatu, the Pohangina, the Orua and the Mangatainoka rivers.

Rangitikei

Click here for live weather updates.

Click the highlighted links for live river flow information for the Rangitikei and Hautapu rivers.             

Whet Your Appetite!  

The latest season of the acclaimed Pure Fly TV series is online.  

In season 4, episode 5, takes us to the West Coast of the South Island where the team hit a weather window and the last of the season's cicada hatch.     

Click the screen shot below to check it out. 

Top Tip - Lower Ruamahanga and Lake Wairarapa Angling 

Andrew Harding with a very nice perch from the lower Ruamahanga last weekend (Credit: Finn Harding) 

The lower Ruamahanga River is firing again early season and really exhibiting what a stellar fishing resource we have at the bottom of the North Island! 

Very good numbers of trout and perch (with the occasional bonus kahawai) are being taken by both boat and shore-based anglers.

If you're at a loose end this long weekend, or looking for something fun to do with the kids, hit the lower river where there's very good odds of hooking into something.      

You can download our Wairarapa Moana Angling Guide here - It details some of the hotspots around the lake and also the lower Ruamahanga River.   

Webcams

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

Notice board  

• Capital Trout Centre Open - The Centre is open under level 2 for family groups. Anyone interested should contact Strato Cotsilinis on (04)3863740 for further details and bookings.  

• Paihiatua Trout Carnival - The organisers have made the tough call of cancelling this year's event because of Covid-related restrictions on numbers. It is hoped the carnival will run in October next year.   

• 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.