1 hour 12 mins, 86.7 km. Flowing 64km from the high Southern Alps into the Tasman Sea at Hokitika, the Hokitika River provides a beautiful setting for great backcountry fishing, notably for good sized rainbow and brown trout. Permission from adjacent landowners essential. Tourism has done wonders over recent decades for the facilities and services available to travellers and the next morning Phil got me to line up a glacier heli-flight for us both. In the Haupiri River fish density is highest in the first few kilometres downstream of the lake outlet. Hokitika Gorge - the turquoise colour of the water has to be seen to be believed. Access: Watch closely for signs at marked access points along the Arnold Valley Rd. There are a multitude of outstanding award winning short walks too. The Hokitika rises in the Southern Alps . Methods: Fly fishing off the mouths of the few small feeder streams located on the southern side of the lake is the most successful, followed by general trolling. Some of the best fishing we've had on earlier heli-adventures was on the lower Martyr and upper reaches of the wild Cascade river. Methods: Bait and spin fishing are the preferred methods in the larger holes and runs, but fly fishing can also be productive especially at evening when trout often feed near the surface on hatching nymphs. Good fishing for cruising browns with wet (bully) imitation most successful. Fishing Holes offer a greater chance to get, Characters and their alts who have reached Renown 5 and have done the quest to create their, Characters and their alts who have reached Renown 7 and acquired their, Complete the two daily quests (each can be done once per day) - total restock of 30 fish, Turn in fish 20 at a time for restocking (repeatable). Copyright NZFishing.com All Rights Reserved | Site and hosting by iConcept.co.nz. The lower reaches are best for the casual angler. The lower reaches are best with access via Wanganui Flat Road (turn off at Harihari). The Hokitika rises in the Southern Alps and flows north west to enter the Tasman Sea at Hokitika township. You should also give Lake Kaniere a try if you have the time. The weather was epic and Phil and I were piloted in a Hughes 500 helicopter over both glaciers, with magic views of mountains Tasman and Cook. Access: Lower reaches of the Karamea River up to the gorge may be accessed via farm land on either side of river but please leave gates as you find them. Family friendly and suitable for all abilities. Backcountry fishing for rainbow trout in the Hokitika River is quite challenging and requires a fair bit of walking. 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Easy access is available in the lower reaches which usually hold 1-2kg browns and sea-runners in early season. Moana Footbridge at the outlet of Lake Brunner. Anglers who are familiar with Hokitika River are asked to suggest changes using the link above. Lead line is generally used to reach sea-run fish down deep. Lake Mahinapua is a shallow lake on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island.Once a lagoon at the mouth of the Hokitika River, it became a lake when the river shifted its course.Lake Mhinapua was the site of a significant battle between Ngi Tahu and Ngti Wairangi Mori, and is regarded by them as a sacred site where swimming and fishing are prohibited. of Ross. Whitebait Streamer Fly for Sea-Run Trout. Access: A boat ramp is located at Jetty Bay. Another tributary of the Inangahua, located approximately 15km north of Reefton along SH69. River mouth often provides good fishing for sea-run browns, and in some years, salmon. Greymouth. There is an abundance of wildlife and tours to view fur seals, Hectors Dolphins and Fiordland Crested Penguins. Small bullies are the primary food source although trout will take an unweighted nymph and often rise freely to a large dry fly. Andrew, our affable pilot, put us down for a snow landing high above Fox Glacier and we enjoyed breathtaking vistas while standing on glistening white snow. The river mouth is at the township of Hokitika and the river runs for many kilometres inland from there. The lower Grey River itself has large sea-run trout in it from September to December, with fish up to 5kg encountered. Fish numbers are low in the lower reaches but there are moderate numbers in the more fishable upper reaches where some of the fish grow quite large. Access: Turn right off SH69 onto a forestry road. Soft plastics on weighted jigs, bucktails (3/4 to 1-1/2 ounces) and small, deep-diving swimmers are all top producers here. Activities include wild foods, freshwater fishing, whitebaiting, bush walks, beach walks, kayaking, visits to Lakes Kaniere and Mahinapua, Paddle Boat Cruise, Phelps . Hokitika Guardian. Overall the Hokitika River is 64 kmlong. Upstreama Hare and Copper Nymph, Coch-y-Bondhu, or any brown beetle pattern is worth a try. While the Region offers abundant opportunities for specialist methods such as fly fishing for sighted trout, there are also excellent prospects for novice or intending anglers using bait or spinning gear. If you enjoyspin fishing you will be pleased to know that there are no Fly Fishing Only waters in the West Coast Fish & Game Region at all. Foot access is available over the Arnold river foot bridge at Moana village. Watch. The Hokitika Angling Club is an active Fishing club who holds fishing days and social events. Access is available at various marked points off La Fontaine Road (turn off at Harihari). Last 30 days. Nimmo Gallery is in the heart of Greymouth. Hokitika. Hiking up rivers through majestic forests, rock hopping towards the next pool, this is the sport that Kiwis know and love. Large wet (streamer type) flies such as Parsons Glory, Hopes Silvery, Dorothy and Grey Ghost can be effective in the right conditions, especially at night. Best fishing times for Hokitika River today Today is a good fishing day. The Hokitika River emerges from the Southern Alps and flows northwest, entering the Tasman Sea 64 km later at Hokitika. The river and its tributaries offer a range of different fishing experiences for all skill levels. FISHING SITES CLOSE TO HOKITIKA RIVER. Anglers intending to fish back country rivers are recommended to get information on impending weather conditions from Doc offices at Haast, Franz and Fox Glacier. 135 people follow this. Was a awesome sight to see.If you enjoy our vids, you might want to support us on Patreon, . Turn west at the north end of bridge on SH6. Phil and I had a magic morning drive over the mystical Haast Pass with bright sun and bright rivers greeting us at every turn in the road, as rainforest surrounded us and mountains towered high above. Word has it that after a couple of quiet years, the fish are fit for a fight so there's never been a better time for a fishing expedition, weekend or short break on the West Coast. With the closure of yet another trout fishing season close upon us, it's been special to reflect upon West Coast travels over the past seven months where we fished between Karamea township and Haast. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. Mosey on down through to Hokitika. between Stillwater and Moana. Glacier Country is Whataroa, Okarito, Lake Mapourika, Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier, Lake Matheson and Gillespies Beach. Lake Paringa was a little busy with many boats out fishing for salmon, so we kept driving south to Lake Moeraki. Soon we were back to the melee of tourists on the tarmac below and it reminded me of a shooting trip with hunting mentor Neil Simmons at Fox years ago. Nymphs: In the upper reaches small flies are recommended such as a gold bead Hare and Copper or Pheasants Tail (sizes 14 - 16). Easy access is available in the lower reaches which usually hold 1-2kg browns and sea-runners in early season. Please keep the following in mind when posting a comment: Your comment must be in English or it will be removed. Spin fishers do best with a bully or smelt imitation, although standard patterns such as the silver slice and toby can also be effective. Venture onto the lake itself with West Coast Scenic Waterways. There is no daily bag limit for perch in the West Coast Fish & Game Region. Not forgetting Lake Brunner Eco Lodge sitting pretty on the opposite southern side of the lake. Darker patterned lures work best in discoloured water or at night. If you're after a chance to fish for wild trout, the lakes of the West Coast are perfect for you. Simply type the URL of the video in the form below. A down rigger or 4-6 colours of leadline is useful. We offer visitors a rare opportunity to experience the untouched natural beauty of Te Whipounamu - World Heritage Area, while traveling in one of our custom designed fully enclosed jet boats. Learn about the town's heritage and hire a gold pan to try your hand at the Ross Goldfields Information Centre you might just find your own Roddy. Inangahua Times. Turbulent rivers cascade from the mountains through lush bush, past crystal lakes and dark-green paddocks before . Access to the river may be gained via the old sawmill. hokitika river mouth fishing. Brown trout are common in early season and some salmon appear from January. Some of the best fisheries on the West Coast are the lakes and stillwaters because they are stable and largely immune from the effects of flooding. Less populated than most of New Zealand, it is endowed with sublime lakes, streams and rivers from the Grey and Buller rivers and their tributaries to the north to the many coastal lakes to the south providing the perfect conditions to hone or test angling skills. 3 likes. Even in the late 20th century the bar of the Grey River was claiming lives. Overall the Hokitika River is 64 kms long. While trout fishing is year-round on the West Coast, the salmon fishing season runs from spring until autumn (1 October to 31 March). Was lucky to witness seeing a river mouth run thick with kahawai. Gold lured settlers to Okarito in 1865, although the prospect of the voyage from Hokitika can't have filled travellers with confidence, for the coast was littered with wrecks. Lake Brunner contains brown trout averaging 1.1kgs and is the most popular angling water in the region. These can change very quickly especially after a storm and so anglers need tto be constantly evaluating their fishing options and methods to suit. Methods: Water is usually very clear and best suited to dry fly and nymph techniques for fish that become more wary as the season progresses. Fishing Techniques: Many of the rivers mentioned support trout populations which fluctuate depending on the time of year. Lake Kaniere, 18 kilometres east of Hokitika, is a glacial lake, used for boating, kayaking and fishing . Trolling near the outlet during summer is popular. Access is available up and downstream. These are the Kaniere, the Kokatahiand its tributaries the Styx and the Toaroha, and the Whitcombe. New ZealandMetService weather forecast for Hokitika. It offers a range of retail, banking and other services, including Pounamu (jade), gold and other minerals. A unique little restaurant in a perfect location at Jacksons Bay, Haast. The lower reaches tend to be suitable for spin fishing and does hold a number of brown and sea run trout. Some lakes also offer some significant pacific salmon fishing opportunities for Chinook salmon (oncorhynchus tshawytscha) with Lakes Paringa and Mapourika being prime stopovers for the nomadic anadromous salmon intent on heading upstream to their natal spawning streams. Methods: The shallow margins suit wet fly fishing (#6-8 Mrs Simpson or similar) or light lures for spinning. MATIU/SOMES Island, 24.9ha (62 acres), lies off Wellington, NZ, 3km south of Petone and the mouth of the Hutt River.It was first used as a quarantine facility with the arrival of the 'England' in 1872, which was carrying several passengers with smallpox, the passengers and crew being quartered in makeshift accommodation. (Call at Karamea information centre for more on this area). Had a few scoops How many bait? These coordinates correspond to the places where you can set an Iskaaran Fishing Net if you have one: /way The Waking Shores 64.48 74.14 River Mouth Old Arnold Road between the Arnold River and Arnold Valley Rd. An abundance of brown trout around 1 to 3 kg but for inexperienced anglers can be challenging. Feb 2, 2015 - Hokitika River Mouth, Aerial View, Hokitika. The river is braided through much of this area and flows through a variety of channels. Feb 2, 2015 - Hokitika River Mouth, Aerial View, Hokitika. Further on this road leads to the upper Ahaura and tributaries such as the Trent and Waiheke. yeah nah but yeah. The West Coast of the South Island is a magical and mysterious wonderland, easily one of the world's wildest and remotest outdoor adventure playgrounds. The lake is rich in bird life as well as mining history. For salmon white or silver lures are recommended or black/green and gold when the water is discoloured. With a population of just under 3,000, according to 2021 census numbers, Hokitika is one of the wettest places in all of New Zealand and traces its modern history to the mid 19th century. Hokitika River. In between lies some 2m hectares, much of it wilderness. Lake Ianthe is south of Ross on SH6 near Pukekura and is an excellent brown trout fishery. Following cu Some sea-run salmon arrive between January and April. Disembark the TranzAlpine train at Greymouth and pick up your car hire, or book at Greymouth i-site for your fishing adventure in this brown trout mecca. The Inangahua River flows through forest and farmland to the Buller River near the Inangahua settlement. For downstream fishers, access is available directly in front of the picnic area or from the SH69 Bridge. Good access for most of its length off SH73. The vivid turquoise water surrounded by lush native bush is well worth a visit. This website will not function correctly without javascript, Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers & Glacier Country, 2018 Leading Light Award Winners and Finalists, 2022 Leading Light Award Winners and Finalists. Somewhat under the radar compared to other West Coast lakes, Mapourika has some of the most impressive mountain reflections and stunning views along with some of the best year-round brown trout and seasonal salmon fishing on the Coast. Kayak, Cruise or Fish with us on Lake Mapourika. Lake Brunner Trout Fishing, near Greymouth, Westland. Access: Foot access is limited by a forested margin and a boat is recommended. Caught, hooked, netted, trapped, trolled, gathered or just eaten fishing tales are legendary around the West Coast. Dry flies: Small well dressed dry flies are the order for the upper reaches in patterns such as Royal Wulff, Kakahi Queen or Blue Dun. You can do quests and set open nets at all of them that are available. 126 people like this. These include Wall Rd, Stopbank Rd and Whitcombe Rd. The brownies weren't numerous, but this was more than compensated for in the size and body condition of the golden flanked fish. Brown trout between 1-3kg are typical. How to catch more whitebait, keeping your bait fresh, tips and techniques. Not a heck of a lot of catching, maybe next time we will hit the target species. Adjacent to SH6 south of Fox Glacier. Bait fishing is also productive in the lower river, but is best early in the season up to late November. Methods: These waters are influenced by heavy floods and fish numbers vary, however the mid Haupiri normally supports good trout numbers and the upper Ahaura consistently produces good sized fish. At night use very dark patterns such as a Hairy Dog or Black Fuzzy-Wuzzy. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. READ MORE: * A winter's tale of saltwater fishing * Quirky church turned West Coast fishing lodge * West Coast could see snapper catch increased. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. Hokitika River Bar, Grey District's tide times and tide charts, high tide and low tide times, fishing times, tide tables, weather forecasts surf reports and solunar charts for today. In addition to lakes, the West Coast has many good salmon rivers, such as the Taramakau, Hokitika and Haast. Popular access points are Greymouth, Omoto Racecourse, Taylorville, Stillwater Bridge, Matai, Blackball, Ahaura, Totara Flat and Ikamatua. This example, the River Mouth Fishing Hole, is located in the Ruby Life Pools. "One skin, two skin, three skin, foreskin" Neil counted out loud to our great mirth at the time. The river mouth is at the township of Hokitika and the river runs for many kilometres inland from there. Wild trout, tasty sea-run salmon, superb crayfish, an ocean of fish and other seafood not forgetting delectable West Coast whitebait the Coast is a fishing hotspot with 600km of coastal beaches, dozens of back country rivers spilling into the ocean, and a multitude of accessible lakes and wetlands. Located on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island and 40 kms south of Greymouth and located near the mouth of the Hokitika River, is Hokitika with a population of 3078. .