Wellington Weekly Report 7 November 2019

Welcome to our abridged fishing report for this week.

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

If you haven't yet bought a licence, buy one online here.

The full Weekly Fishing Report service resumes next week.

Pictured above right: Backcountry perfection - crystal clear water, large trout and no wind (Copyright - Hamish Carnachan)      

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.             

Video of the Week 

Click the screen shot above to check out a cool video of some awesome angling action on the Hutt River, courtesy of Pure Fly NZ. 

Tip of the Week - Soft bait for Trout 

This good brown couldn't resists a paddle-tail soft bait. (Copyright Hamish Carnachan)

Want to mix up your spin fishing and try a super-effective method for catching trout? Give soft baits a go. 

Fished properly, soft baits are deadly in freshwater and the variety of patterns and colours that are available make it an incredibly versatile technique.  

A supple braid is better than nylon main line; and jig heads should be 1/12oz or 1/16oz though this may vary depending on the size and depth of the water you're fishing, with larger deeper rivers needing heavy heads.

Take some time to experiment with colours because even outlandish looking soft baits will catch finicky trout, perhaps it's an aggressive reaction. If the fish are shy, go natural to imitate smelt or bullies.

Paddle tail baits are great for giving the lure movement and vibration that can also provoke an aggressive strike. Larger soft baits with a well-defined belly are good for smelt.

Soft baits can be fished upstream or downstream, the latter technique being best for blind fishing larger, deeper water.

When working the soft bait downstream, cast directly across and as you slowly retrieve, twitch the rod tip up and then allow the bait to drop again. This gives the lure a realistic darting action.

If you're fishing up river, cast at a 45-degree angle upstream. The retrieve should be marginally faster than the current, letting the bait swing downstream and behind.

Perhaps the most important aspect of soft baiting is to keep the line tight and maintain contact with the lure because takes can be very gentle, especially with the larger trout.

NOTE: Soft baits come in scented and non-scented variants. Please check your regulations because not all waterways permit scented baits while angling for freshwater sports fish.  

By Fish & Game field officers Hamish Carnachan and Tony Hawker. 

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. 
• 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 10 December 2019 – 9 hours
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.