Waimiha Stream Trout Fishing

The Waimiha Stream provides many kilometres of top quality dry fly and nymphing water of rainbow and brown trout.

View maps

Fish type	Rainbow and brown trout
Situation	The Waimiha is a major contributory of the Ongarue River and rises in the Pureora State Forest and joins the Ongarue River near the township of Waimiha.
Maps	Access map Access map with topography LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000) S17 Mangapehi
F&G pamphlet	Trout Fishing in the Southern Waters of the Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game Region >>>
Description	The Waimiha runs over a stone and gravel bed and provides the angler with wonderful water which to practise the art of dry fly or nymphing. In the upper reaches the water is generally very clear as it runs through native bush. Many people regard this water is one of the top flyfishing waters in the North Island.
Upper reaches	Description The headwaters of the Waimiha run alongside the Bennydale-Te Kuiti Highway. The river in the section is very small and it isn't until a runs into the Pureora Forest that it reaches a size that will be of interest to anglers. The river in the section is a series of pools and long riffles that flow through native bush. Fish numbers and size Fish numbers are high and sizes range from 1-2 kg. Methods The middle reaches are best suited to fly fishering and provide excellent dry fly fishing and nymphing. Access Access to the upper reaches is either via the Bennydale-Te Kuiti Highway (SH30) and walking downstream, or by crossing private farmland (please request permission first). See the Waimiha access map.
Middle reaches	Description The middle reaches of the Waimiha runs across open farmland and provides many kilometres of excellent water ideally suited to both dry fly and nymph. The water is generally very clear so fish can be spotted in the long runs and a deep pools. Fish numbers and size Fish numbers in the section are high and mostly in the 1-2 kg range. Methods The middle reaches are best suited to fly fishering and provide excellent dry fly fishing and nymphing. Access Access is from Waimiha Road across farmland and then fishing upstream. Permission is required from the farmhouse just north of the Waimiha-Ongarui turnoff. See the Waimiha access map.
Lower reaches	Description The last few kilometres before the Waimiha joins the Ongarue are of less interest to the angler is they tend to be willow lined and the river more sluggish. Good fish can be found by those using a spinner. This water is less suited to the fly fisherman. Fish numbers and size There are good numbers of fish, some of which can reach impressive sizes. Methods The lower reaches are better suited to spinning. Access See the Waimiha access map.
Recommended tackle	Weight 5 rod with a floating lines in the upper reaches. Light spinning gear for the deep pools and lower section
Recommended lures	Nymphs: Small weighted or unweighted nymphs such as Hare and Copper, Halfbacks, Pheasant Tails in sizes 12 to 16 work well. Dry flies: Small dry flies (size 14 or 16) in patterns such as Hardie's Favourite, Greenwell 's Glory, March Brown and Twilight Beauty work well throughout the year. In summer cicada patterns and in late summer, Lace fly patterns can be very effective. Wet flies: In the upper and middle reaches small wet flies such as Invicta, Greenwell's Glory in sizes 12 to 14 are ery effective when fished just subsurface when trout are rising. Spinners: Mepps and Veltic patterns in green or red.
Regulations
Applicable to	Waimiha
Region	Auckland/Waikato regulations >>>
Season	Oct 1-Jun 30
Methods	Artificial fly, spinner
Bag limit	5
Size limit (cm)	30cm minimum

Top of page