Spin Anglers Best Placed for Weekend Ahead   

Dave H sent in this photo of a very well conditioned lower Rangitikei River brown trout destined for the smoker.

With strong wind warnings out for much of the lower part of the region and also the central high country, it could make for challenging fly fishing conditions over the weekend. 

Spinning is likely to be the most productive method unless you can find a really sheltered spot or somewhere with the wind on your back. 

Spin fishing and soft-baiting isn't a bad option anyway with trout chasing baitfish in many of the lower river reaches at present.

And with the chance of scattered rain and isolated showers bringing some river flows up, big lures that are more visible will likely improve catch rates.     

If you've had any luck in the middle and upper and reaches of the Rangitikei recently we'd love to hear from you about the fishing and what you're getting them on. 

With only six weeks 'til Xmas, now's the time to  grab a licence and get on the water before life gets too busy! 

Here's the outlook:

Hutt River and tributaries

Click here for live weather updates.

The Hutt, Akatarawa, Pakarutahi and other tribs are all at good flows today. The biggest challenge over the next few days will be the nor-west winds. The Pakarutahi flows south-north (more or less) meaning the wind will be on your back so this could be an option. Watch for rain in the ranges bring the flows up.      

 

Kapiti Coast

Click here for live weather updates.

The Waikanae, Otaki and Ohau rivers are all low and clear this morning. Do keep an eye on the latest flows because there is some isolated heavy rainfall expected, though at this stage it doesn't look too ominous on MetService's three-day rain forecast.         

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

 

Wairarapa

Click here for live weather updates.

The Ruamahanga was looking stunning again this morning with a fantastic mayfly hatch coming off too. The major tributaries - Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau - are at good fishable flows. While the weather should be ok on the plains, rain is forecast for back in the ranges and the wind will be strong. Get the Mepps and Veltics out and throw some metal this weekend.  

The Ruamahanga River at Kokotau this morning (Credit: Hamish Carnachan)

                   

Manawatu

Click here for live weather updates.     

Beautiful fishing conditions in Manawatu but the wind is forecast to kick in this afternoon. The Manawatu River is low and clear at time of writing, and one angler was making the most of it with a fish banked while staff were there this morning. The Pohangina, Orua and other smaller tributaries are carrying just a hint of colour - hopefully this will continue to drop out but watch the flows in case rainfall is more than forecast.  

The Pohangina River at Raumai Reserve this morning (Credit: Matt Kavermann)

 

Rangitikei

Click here for live weather updates.

The Rangitikei is looking great today and is at a great fishable flow. There isn't too much rain forecast for the central high country but the wind will present a challenge to fly fishers. Anglers could look to tuck themselves into sheltered reaches of the Hautapu or upper Kawhatau if flows allow.                     

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

 

Ultimate Armchair Angling!  

The latest season of the Pure Fly series is online.  

Season 4, episode 8 (the final), sees the team targeting monster browns in the North Canterbury backcountry.       

Click the screen shot below to check it out. 

Free Magazine 

Didn’t get you magazine yet this year?  

Drop us a line with your postal address and well get one posted to you ASAP.

If you'd prefer to read it online, click the cover image below...

 

Top Tip - The Beetles Are Back  

When the Labrador starts leaping and pouncing around the lawn on dusk, or snapping at the window, it's a sure sign of one thing - Brown Beetles are on the wing. 

Mid-November can often see prolific beetle hatches around the lower North Island's lowland streams.

They hatch out of pastoral areas in the evening and can be so prolific that many clumsily fly onto the water... providing welcome food for trout.

Head down to your local river on a warm, calm evening and select a nice glide - If the beetles are hatching, you'll soon see the trout react with lazy boils on the surface. It's a great time to fish and the action can be red-hot!

Just make sure you're using brown beetle imitations because the green variant is actually the Manuka Beetle which will be present later, around December and beyond.

Beetle patterns are ideally fished with fly fishing gear, but spin anglers can also try it using a bubble.

Suitable stretches or pools have plenty of edge cover, such as willows, because you want to fish where trout can be hiding out of sight and come out to feed in the evenings.

There are plenty of pools on the Hutt, Manawatu and Ruamahanga which fit the bill - many are very close to the town centres too and easily accessible. 

While these reaches might look devoid of fish during the day, it is surprising how many trout are dragged from cover during a dusk beetle hatch.

The beetles will start to buzz around just on the last 30-40 minutes of light, but the trout will keep taking them well into the night, so blind fishing and listening or 'feeling' for a take can still yield fish. 

In low light the trout are not so concerned about your presence either so you can get quite close to rising fish without disturbing them.

It can also be a good time to take kids out as there is plenty of action but not so much walking or patience required.

Remember to fish the very tail of pools as well as smaller trout will often hang out in these areas at night.

You will have a few mistimed strikes as it gets hard to see and the trout will be taking naturals in the vicinity of the fly. However, if you have two or more trout feeding in the same pool off the surface in the evening, they don't tend to get spooked by splashy noises.

Remember to take a torch for the walk back to the car!

Webcams

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

 

Notice board  

 

• Review Update - Work on implementing the recommendations outlined in the review of Fish & Game continues. The Review Implementation Steering Group has an update for interested licence holders here. 
  
  

• Capital Trout Centre Open - The Centre is open under level 2 for family groups. Anyone interested should contact Strato Cotsilinis on (04)386-3740 for further details and bookings.  

• River Bulldozing - 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.