| Fish type |
Brown
trout |
| Situation |
The Ohau river drains Lake
Ohau and enters Lake Ruataniwha just south of Twizel. |
| Maps |
Access
map
Access
map with topography
LINZ
topographic maps: 1:50,000 (260
series)
|
| Description |
Water extraction from Lake
Ohau into the Ohau Canal has severely reduced the Ohau River
flow. It is still a reasonably sized river however with a
number of good runs and pools, particularly the section of
the river from where it leaves Lake Ohau down to the Ohau
B Power Station. Due to its glacial origins however, it often
contains a degree of glacial silt that discolours the water
making spotting of fish difficuly. Consequently, fishing blind
with a nymph or spinner are the favoured options when fishing
this water. |
| Access |
There is good access to the
upper section from a road that follows both banks. |
| Methods |
This water is best fished with
a nymph or spinner. At times the fish do rise to hatches and
so the angler should be armed with the approriate flies etc
especially during the late spring and summer months. |
| Recommended tackle |
Rods of around 6 weight with
a floating line for the nymph fishing or a spin rod capable
of casting lures between 7 - 12g are recommended. |
| Recommended lures |
Dry
fly: Humpys,
Blow Fly patterns,
Red-tipped
Governors and Coch-y-Bondhu
or sedge patterns during the evening rise when it occurs.
Nymphs: Weighted
nymphs in sizes 12 to 16 such as very roughly tied
Hare and Copper, Pheasant
Tail and Halfback
patterns.
Wetflies:
Streamer flies such as a Parson's
Glory, Grey
Wulff and Jack
Spratt
Spinners:
Black and gold Toby's,
Rapalas and
Cobras |
| Biosecurity |
| Clean, check dry |
Because of the presence of the invasive alga didymo in these waters, anglers must
clean their fishing gear including waders and boots, especially when moving between
rivers. See Didymo Biosecurity Alert
for details. |
| Regulations |
| Applicable to |
Ohau River
Note: This river is affected by didymo. See Didymo Biosecurity
Alert for details. |
| Region |
Central
South Island regulations |
| Season |
1 Oct-30 Apr |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner,
bait |
| Bag limit |
Trout: 2
Salmon: 2 |
| Size limit (cm) |
Trout: No limit
Salmon: Minimum 300 mm, maximum 450 mm from 1 Mar-30 April |
