D'Urville River Trout Fishing

Access map
Access map with topography

LINZ topographic maps: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000)
M30 Matakitaki for the middle reaches and headwaters.
M29 Murchison for the lower reaches where the river enters Lake Rotoroa.

The D'Urville is a true backcountry river that provides anglers with a real challenge. While the water can be discoloured early in the season, it is mostly clear and runs over a wide gravel bed with little overhanging vegetation. Fish can be easily seen especially in sunny conditions.

Once on the river, it is an easy river to walk and cast to visible fish. The fish however are also typical wary backcountry fish that can prove to be a real challenge to catch. Great stealth and finesse is required to ensure success.

The only access to this river is either by boat or water taxi, or by walking in from the small settlement of Rotoroa at the northern end of the lake. It is a 5-6 hours walk from Rotoroa settlement or 30 minutes by boat.

See the access map

The clarity of the water and the size and the size of the trout on this river requires the use of tackle that is capable of delicate presentation yet has the power to tame a large fit fish in a powerful current. Rods need to be in the weight 5 to 7 range (the CD Rods XLS  or ICT Series rod are ideal).

Floating lines in very neutral colours are required to avoid spooking the fish

Long leaders (15 feet is a minimum) with a 3kg fluorocarbon tippet (these are big fish!)

Nymphs: Small unweighted nymphs such as Pheasant Tail variants and Hares Ear, Hare and Copper work well in the long runs where visible fish can be targeted.

Dry flies: Cicada patterns are very effective from late summer and beetle patterns work well in early summer. Otherwise use small flies of the Blue Dun, Greenwell's Glory, Royal Wulff or March Brown type flies. In the more boisterous water use large visible palmered flies, especially in the hotter months when the river is low and very clear.

Wet flies: Small wets like Greenwell's Glory, March Brown and emerger Sedge patterns such as Invicta work well when fished sub-surface. These flies are lethal when fishing the evening rise

Spinners: Small bladed spinners (Mepps or Veltic) fished into the faster water or through the deep pools or into the faster rapids are best for this river. As there are rainbow trout in the D'Urville it is often useful to try flashier colours such as red and gold patterns when spinning.