The Dove River Trout Fishing

Access map
Access map with topography

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

A small tributary of the Motueka, the Dove provides good sight fishing early in the season though tends to become very small during the warmer summer months. The bed is mostly shingle interpersed with rocky outcrops and easily waded.

It is best fished in the first few kilometres upstream from the confluence with the Motueka. Here the river flows between high banks some of which are scrub covered making access from the road difficult. Once on the river however it is generally easy to move along the stream though vegetation does grow along the banks for much of the fishable section (however this provides necessary cover for the fish).

Due to the small volume of water and its general clarity, great care must be taken to avoid spooking the fish.

Either turn off SH16 at Woodstock into Dovedale Road which runs parallel to the Dove River.

Or turn off SH60 between Nelson and Motueka, following the signs to Upper Moutere. Drive through Upper Moutere village and stay on the main road for about 2 km. Turn left into Neudorf Road and follow Neudorf Road to its end.

See the Dove Road access map and also see the Motueka River access map for a larger scale map of the area.

Nymphs: Very small (16 to 18) lightly weighted nymphs such as Pheasants Tails and Hares Ear.

Dry flies: Terrestrial fly imitation such as Dad's Favourite and Greenwells Glory. Beetle patterns such as Coch-y-Bondhu work well from early summer.

Wet flies: Small wets such as March Brown or Greenwell's Glory work well fished sub-surface during the evening rise.

Spinners: Small bladed Mepps or Veltic work best.