Waipawa River Trout and Fly Fishing

Access map
Access map with topography

LINZ topographic maps: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000)
U21 Kereru

U22 Ongaonga

V22 Waipawa

River level

View graphs of the Waipawa River level:
- at Pendle Hill (upper reaches)
- at RDS (lower reaches)

Rainfall

View graphs of rainfall:
- at Glenwood (upper reaches)
- at the Tukutuki River at Awarua (Tapairu Rd) (near the confluence of the Waipawa and the Tukituki)

Weather forecast

View the MetService weather forecast for Hastings.

The Waipawa is a medium to large river that flows over a shingle and stone bed between willow lined banks. It is easily wadeable and, with the exception of a small section about 10 km above the confluence with the Tukituki river, offers excellent fishing throughout its length.

The river fishes well throughout the year, even during the summer months, as the water remains much cooler than other rivers in this area. In fact, during the mid summer months many fish from the Tukituki move into the Waipawa to take advantage of the colder water.

However for three or four weeks in summer, part of the  river is inclined to dry up and disappear beneath its shingle bed.

Nymphs: Small weighted nymphs in the 12 to 16 range and patterns such as Pheasant Tail, Hare and Copper, Willow Grub and Halfback.

Dry flies: During the day try a Blue Dun, Adams, Royal Wulff or Humpy. In the evening during the summer Crane fly patterns can be very effective.

Wet flies: Small wet flies such as Greenwell's Glory, Red Tipped Governor and spider patterns. Otherwise try Hamill's Killer, Mrs Simpson or rabbit patterns.

Spinners: Those spin fishing this water are best served using small bladed spinners such as as Mepps or Veltic fished upstream into faster water a deep through the deeper pools.