| Fish type |
Rainbow
and brown trout |
| Situation |
The Puniu rises in the Pureora
Forest in the central Waikato and flows over open farmland and
bush country to join the Waipa River near the small town of
Pirongia, near Te Awamutu. |
| Maps |
Access
map
Access
map with topography
LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series,
1:50,000)
S15
Te Awamutu
|
| F&G pamphlet |
The Mighty Waipa Trout Fishing
>>> |
| Description |
In the upper and middle reaches
the Puniu is a beautiful small river with many kilometres
of fishable water flowing over a stone and shingle bed. It
is an excellent river that offers much to the angler who enjoys
stalking fish that can be challenging to catch.
|
| Upper reaches |
Description
In the upper reaches the river is quite
small and flows mostly through native bush. The water here
is very clear and fish can be spotted and fished to. Wading
is easy. The native bush means a little more skill is required
to ensure that the angler is not frustrated by catching the
vegetation.
Fish numbers and size
Fish numbers a good and mostly around the
1 kg range.
Methods
Fly fishing with very light tackle and
fly rods in weights 4-6. During the day, fish respond well
to a sunk nymph while there is often a very good evening rise
in the summer months of November to late March. Fish are often
spotted and can be targeted.
Access
Access is via the Kihikihi-Arapuni Road
(off SH3) and taking Ngaroma or Duncan Roads. Access is generally
across private land (including access to the headwaters from
Duncan Road). See the Punui River access
map. |
| Middle reaches |
Description
The middle reaches flow over mostly open
farmland allowing good fly fishing access but water clarity
has been badly affected by farm run-off. There are good fish
in the section but due to the poor water visibility, most
of the fishing is done blind. After long dry spells the water
becomes very clear and the fish more wary.
Fish numbers and size
There are good numbers of fish in this
section, mostly around 1 kg size
Methods
This is prime fly fishing water. During
the day, fish respond well to a sunk nymph while there is
often a very good evening rise in the summer months of November
to late March.
Access
Access is via the Kihikihi-Arapuni Road
(off SH3) and taking either Newman, Bailey, or Wharepapa Road.
An access reserve extends 3 km downstream from Bayley Road
and 3 km upstream from Ngaroma Road.
See the Punui River access
map. |
| Lower reaches |
Description
The lower reaches offers poor quality fishing
as the river is generally sluggish and silt laden, and so
not as attractive to the angler.
Fish numbers and size
There is a good population of fish in the
section around 1 kg size.
Methods
The lower reaches are best suited to spin
fishing though there can be a good evening rise on warm summer
evenings.
Access
See the Puniu River access
map.
|
| Methods |
In the middle and upper reaches
the angler is treated to prime fly water. During the day, fish
respond well to a sunk nymph while there is often a very good
evening rise in the summer months of November to late March.
Fish are often spotted and can be targeted. |
| Fish numbers and size |
Good numbers of both rainbow
and brown trout are present though rainbows are more common
in the upper reaches and being a more aggressive fish and easier
to catch, tend to make the bulk of the anglers bag. Average
size is around 1kg though some very big fish do move up the
river from the Waikato and Waipa, especially during the warmer
summer months. |
| Access |
Access to the Puniu is generally
easy with the river being able to be reached via the Wharepapa,
Newman, Seafund Bayley and Ngaroma roads. |
| Recommended lures |
Nymphs:
Lightly-weighted small nymphs (14 or smaller) in Hare
and Copper, Pheasants
Tail, Hare's Ear,
Gold Bead
Hare and Copper and horned
caddis patterns all work well. Very small flies are necessary
for the larger fish in the headwaters however.
Dry flies:
Small winged patterns such as Greenwell's
Glory, March Brown
or Royal Wulff all
work well. Green Beetles
are effective in early summer and Cicada
patterns and and lace flies
from late summer are very effective.
Wet flies:
Small wet flies such as March
Brown, Greenwell's
Glory or sedge
emerger patterns work well especially in the evening rise
that can occur from late spring.
Spinners: Small
bladed spinners such as Veltic
or Mepps or Black
and Gold Toby fished up into faster water and retrieved
downstream or deep through the pools work well. |
| Tributaries |
The major
tributaries of the Puniu River are the:
- Owairaka Stream
- Mangatutu Stream
- Waipara River |
| Regulations
(1) |
| Applicable to |
Puniu above Seafund Rd bridge |
| Region |
Auckland/Waikato
regulations >>> |
| Season |
Oct 1-Jun
30 |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Bag limit |
5 |
| Size limit (cm) |
30 cm |
| Regulations
(2) |
| Applicable to |
Puniu below Seafund Rd bridge |
| Region |
Auckland/Waikato
regulations >>> |
| Season |
All year |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Bag limit |
5 |
| Size limit (cm) |
30cm minimum |
