Weekly Fishing Report - 4 January 2018

Welcome to our Weekly Fishing Report for the holiday period.

We hope you're having a great break and making the most of the time off to get into the great fishing in and around the Wellington Fish & Game region.

There is no commentary on conditions this time but the links provided will take you to the live updated flows and weather conditions for the river you plan to fish.

If you haven't yet bought a licence, buy one online here and hook into the fantastic fishing that's been on offer so far this season while you've got time off.

From all the Wellington Fish & Game team, we hope you have a great Christmas and get plenty of time on the water. 

The full Weekly Fishing Report service resuming mid-Jan.      

PS - There has been some confusion around toxic algae alerts for the Hutt catchment. It IS SAFE to go fishing (though experts advise against eating fish from affected waterways). Click here for more.

Pictured above right: Wellington gold! (Credit Andrew Harding) 

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.

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.              

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Video of the week

Here's Andrew Harding's latest production. Revel in the Wellington Fish & Game angling splendour!

Tip of the Week - Handle With Care...

Despite the recent fresh providing welcome relief to the river and trout, it won't be long before flows return to very low levels and the fish become stressed again.

Reiterating our tips last week for handling fish carefully to ensure they have the best chance of survival after release, here's some more useful information...  

Click on the screenshot above to watch how the experts at Eastern Fish & Game's Ngongataha Hatchery handle trout.

Just remember that for all their hard-fighting capabilities, trout are vulnerable to poor treatment by anglers. It makes no sense to handle a fish so badly that it will be poor eating or die when it is released.   

Looking after the fish we catch is not only better for the health of our trout populations and the future of the fishery, but also your reputation as a provider of good quality food for family and friends. .          

By Wellington Fish & Game officer Hamish Carnachan.

Christmas Holiday Reading

If you’re short of reading over the lazy Christmas holiday period, consider a subscription to our Fish & Game NZ magazine.

Given the price of glossy mags these days it’s a real bargain for an annual subscription of $35. There’s heaps of great info on the mag’s website too.

Head to the magazine website (click the cover image above) and find out how to enter.

 

Notice board

• If you didn't receive a copy of our annual angling newsletter you can download a copy here.
• Ruamahanga access at Gliding Club (Greytown). Anglers are being directed to the Tilsen Road access.
• Moawhanga Flushing Flows - Click here for more information but following is an early alert for the dates the flushes be will conducted: 
  - 23/24 January (after Wellington anniversary weekend)
  - 13/14 February
  - 13/14 March
  - 17/18 April

 

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 - please ensure you check the latest weather and river flow information before you head out on the water.