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Opato Stream

The Opato Stream is a small boisterous tributary to the upper Waioeka River that provides excellent fishing for a reasonable population of large rainbow trout.

Fish type, number and size	Mainly rainbow trout in reasonable numbers averaging around 1.4 kg. This stream also holds some very big fish however up to aronud the 3kg mark.
Situation	The Opato Stream rises in the eastern section of the Urewera National Park and flows northwards to join the Waioeka River at Wairata. For much of its length it runs alongside State Highway 2.
Maps	Access map Topographic map LINZ topographic maps: 1:50,000 (260 series)
F&G pamphlet	Waioeka access pamphlet
Check conditions	River level and rainfall As the Opato is a major tribuatry of the Waioeka view graphs at the Environment Bay of Plenty website of recent Waioeka River water level and rainfall: - at Cableway Note that the Opato tends to remain cleaner after rain than the Waioeka. River flow The one hundred year flow for the Waioeka River at the Cableway recorder has been assessed by the East Coast Catchment Board at 2100 cumecs (cubic metres per second). Mean flow for the Cableway is 32 cumens. (See the Environment Bay of Plenty website for more details.) Weather forecast View the MetService weather forecast for Whakatane.
Description	The Opato Stream is a very boisterous small water that flows over a rocky and shingle bed. As it flows through mostly bushland, the water is generally clear but due to its swiftness and turbulence, the fish are very hard to spot. Consequently it has to be fished blind. It is also prone to rapid rises in volume after heavy rain and this has a detrimental effect on the trout numbers it is able to support. There is however a reasonable resident population of rainbow trout some of which reach impressive sizes but numbers are not as high as they are in the Waioeka River.
Access	As the Opato Stream flows from much of its links alongside State Highway 2, access is relatively easy though it may require scrambling through some bankside vegetation to get to many of the sections of this river.
Methods	This is water that needs to be fished with heavy nymphs to ensure the flies get down to where the trout are lying. During the summer it is worth trying a large dry fly.
Recommended tackle	Rods of around 9 foot capable of casting five to seven weight lines. Both floating and sinking lines are suitable depending on the style of fishing. Leaders of around nine to 10 feet but with a reasonable tippet strength as these are feisty fish who will make use of the powerful current.
Recommended lures	Nymphs: Well weighted nymphs such as a Gold Beadhead Hare and Copper, Halfbacks and Prince Nymphs. Dry flies: During the summer large flies are best as anything small will not be possible in the fast current. Try size 10 to 12 Royal Wulff, Bettle or cicada patterns. Other patterns that work well from midsummer are the Daddy Long Legs (especially in the evenings) or a deers hair sedge pattern at any time. Wet flies: Small wee-wets such as March Browns and Greenwells Glory or soft hackled spider flies fished across and down. Larger wet flies such as a woolly bugger fished deeply can also be effective. Spinners: While this is best as a flyfishing water, for those who wish to try a spinner use a bladed spinner such as a Mepps or Veltic. Some weight may also be needed to get these down through the water.
Tributaries	There are no tributaries of note
Regulations
Applicable to	Opato Stream
Region	Eastern region regulations
Season	1st Oct - 30th June
Methods	Artificial fly and spinner
Bag limit	2
Size limit (cm)	None

Tony (Bones) Murphy

Guide and accommodation provider

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