Oparau River Trout Fishing

Access map
Access map with topography

LINZ topographic maps: 1:50,000 (260 series)

The Oparau is a small attractive river that meanders across farmland except in the bush-clad upper reaches. It flows over a stone and shingle bed and is a mixture of long riffles and runs interspersed with some deep pools.

The best fishing is in sections where the vegetation along the banks give some cover and provides a good source of food blown onto the water. It fishes well with a nymph. Dry flies are also very effective from early summer.

There is easy access to an extensive length of fishable water which makes it suitable for anglers with slight mobility difficulties.

The headwaters flow through a DOC reserve and require some walking to reach. Access to the upper reaches and headwaters is from Pirongia West Road (off SH31), a loop road which links Ngutunui with Oparau. Where the loop road leaves the river, a walking track follows the river up Mt Pirongia.

Although the river runs alongside Pirongia West and Moerangi roads, access to the middle reaches generally requires crossing private farmland, so you need to seek permission from the land owner.

Access to the lower reaches can be gained in a number of places as the river flows close to the road, but this section tends to be of less interest to the angler.

See the Oparau River access map.

Nymphs: Flies need to be small and any un-weighted or lightly-weighted Hare and Copper, Halfback or Pheasant Tail can be effective.

Dry flies: Sedge patterns are effective especially in the evening and during the late summer try cicada patterns, or a Daddy-Long Legs or Hopper in the evening. Beetle patterns are worth trying in the early summer months and try a small lace fly from February to March.

Wet flies: Small Woolly Buggers fished across and down through some deep pools and under vegetation can induce the rainbows to strike. Otherwise try a wee-wet such as Greenwell's Glory, March Brown or Invicta especially if trout are rising in the early evening during the warmer months.

Spinners: Small bladed spinners such as a Mepps or Veltic fished up stream and retrieved just slightly faster than the current so they are just above the river bed. As most fish are rainbows try brighter colours such as red and gold.