Waipunga River

Access map
Access map with topography

LINZ topographic maps: 1:50,000 (260 series)

The Waipiunga is a challenging river to fish. Its clear water flows over a rock and stone bed in a series of turbulent rapids and short pools. In the upper reaches above the Waipunga waterfall that effectively divides it into two fisheries, it flows mostly over open tussock land. This upper section contains only brown trout and an access permit from the Fletcher Challenge Forests Visitor Centre in Rotorua (ph 07 346 2082) is required to access it. Fish in this section are not numerous and are very wary in the clear water.

Below the Waipunga Falls the river flows through bushland and scrub providing around 15 - 20 kms of fishable water. That said, this is challenging water to fish however. The river is not always easy to get to and generally flows swiftly over a rocky bed. Fish in this section are hard to spot as the water can have a little colour and is quite turbulent. It does hold a reasonable stock of fish however that can really fight in the well oxygenated water.

Access above the falls is best from the Pohokura Rd and then turn left onto Koromika Rd which follows the true left hand bank. (Remember permission is required to access this section from the Fletcher Challenge Forests Visitors Cetre in Rotorua (ph 07 346 2082)

The lower section below the falls can be accessed from SH 5 (though this can mean bashing your way through scrub and bush to get to the river in many places).

In the upper section fish either dry flies and / or lightly weighted or unweighted nymphs to sighted fish. Below the falls use a large bushy fly and nymph combination.

In the upper reaches use very light weight rods (wind permitting) and long flourocarbon leaders to avoid spooking these wary fish.

Below the falls the water is rougher and heavier tackle is in order. Use relatively heavy breaking strain leaders as these fish can really move when hooked and the nature of the river makes it hard to follow them. You may need to put some pressure on a hooked fish to rurn it or it will dissappear down seberal pools before breaking off. Carry a net!

Nymphs: Lightly tied nymphs such as a Pheasant Tail or Half back in the upper reaches and heavily weight (and darker) coloured flies such as a roughly tied Hare and Copper, Hares Ears or Pheasant Tail in the lower section.

Dry flies: Parachute Adams, Caddis dry pattern, Olive Dun in the upper section and bushy flies such as a Cicada (during summer), Humpy or Deers Hair Sedge in the faster water.

Wet flies: Wee wets of the invicta style in the upper reaches and darker flies such as a small Mrs Simpson or Kilwell pattern below the falls.

Spinners: If using spinners use bladed patterns such as Mepps as these will start their attracting movement quickly in the short pools.