| Fish type |
Both
rainbow and brown trout averaging around 1 - 2kgs. A survey
by Fish and Game in 2009 found that the river supported nearly
100 fish per kilomter with the majority being in the 20 - 40cm
range though with about 20% of the stock being over 40cms in
length. |
| Situation |
The Mangatutu rises in the Pureora
Forest and is a large tributary of the Punui
River (which in turn feeds into the Waipa
River). It joins the Punui near Waikeria. |
| Maps |
Access
map
Access
map with topography
LINZ
topographic maps: 1:50,000 (260
series)
|
| Check conditions |
View the MetService
weather forecast for Te Kuiti. |
| F&G pamphlet |
The
Mighty Waipa Trout Fishing |
| Description |
The Mangatutu is a popular
stream that offers several kilometres of excellent fishing
for a good population of reasonable sized fish in very clear
water. It receives considerable angling pressure however.
The upper reaches above the Leithbridge rd bridge is the
most popular section as the river flows beteen clear banks
and over a stone and gravel bed.Fish can be spotted in the
clear water and the river is easily waded. Banks allow easy
casting and the river is an attractive mixture of riffles,
runs and pools. Sopme bankside vegetation along its length
provide good fish cover.
Below the Leithbridge Rd bridge the river receives less pressure
from anglers but still provides excellent water. |
| Access |
Mostly access is across private
farmland however and so permission must be sought from the landowner
to access the best water. |
| Methods |
Above the Leithbridge Rd bridge
it is fly fishing only while spin fishing is permitted downstream
from the bridge. That said, all this wwater is ideal for dryfly
or nymphing. |
| Recommended tackle |
Rods in the 4-5 weight (such
as CD Rods XLS) are best for the upper section while rods up
to weight 6 are suitable in the lower stretch of this river.
Long leaders are essential especially during the brighter warmer
months when fish have become more spooky and water levels are
lower. |
| Recommended lures |
Dry
flies: Early in the season try Parachute Adams
or other representations of a hatching may
fly and from November, Green
beetles and from mid summer, cicada
patterns. Like most rivers however, observation is important
to see what is landing on, or emerging from the water and
then trying to represent it with a similar fly pattern.
Nymphs: Small
lightly weighted or unweighted Pheasant
Tail, Pheasant
Tail emerger, Prince
Nymphs, Halfbacks
and Hare
and Coppers in sizes 14 to 18.
Wet flies:
Very small soft hackled (wee wets) wet flies fished just subsurface
especially during the evening rise can be very effective on
warm evenings when fish are active on sedge.
Spinners: Small
bladed spinners preferably in red and gold patterns such as
a Veltic fished
through the pools or upstream into the faster water can be
effective during the day when other methods fail. |
| Tributaries |
There are no tributaries of
interest to the angler |
| Regulations
(1) |
| Applicable to |
Mangatutu below (downstream)
from Lethbridge Rd |
| Region |
Auckland/Waikato
regulations |
| Season |
Oct 1-Jun
30 |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Bag limit |
5 |
| Size limit (cm) |
30cm minimum |
| Regulations (2) |
| Applicable to |
Mangatutu above (upstream) from
Lethbridge Rd |
| Region |
Auckland/Waikato
regulations |
| Season |
Oct 1-Jun
30 |
| Methods |
Artificial fly only |
| Bag limit |
5 |
| Size limit (cm) |
30cm minimum |
