Kaituna River Trout Fishing

Access map
Access map with topography

LINZ topographic maps: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000)
M25 Collingwood for the middle and lower reaches.
M26 Cobb for the upper reaches and headwaters.

View graphs at the Tasman District Council website of recent Aorere River rainfall.

View the MetService weather forecast for Motueka.

The Kaituna Tiver is a small bubbly stream flowing over a rocky bed through native bush and, in the lower reaches, willow lined banks. Its waters are generally tea-coloured from the forest that it drains. It is easily wadeable and has a large number of interesting pools interspersed by long riffles and glides.

The best fishing is to be found in the lower reaches above the confluence with the Aorere river. Upstream from the lower bridge, fish numbers are much fewer. It is difficult to spot to fish in the water.

From SH60, turn right into the Collingwood-Bainhan Main Road and follow it across the Aorere River at Rockville Bridge. The Collingwood-Bainhan Main Road runs parallel with the Kaituna River for about 1.5km.

See the Aorere River access map.

Nymphs: Small nymphs lightly weighted such as Hare and Copper or Pheasants Tail and Halfback in sizes 12 to 16. (Due to the cover in the water is best to use dark coloured flies and it is one small river where using larger flies is sometimes warranted)

Dry flies: During the late summer lace flies and cicada patterns both work well when fished under the overhanging vegetation. Throughout the rest of the year try may fly patterns such as Twilight Beauty and sedge patterns such as a Goddards Sedge in the evening.

Wet flies: Small emerger patterns such as March Brown, Invicta or Greenwell's Glory work well when fished through the faster water or during the evening rise.

Spinners: Use small bladed spinners such as a Mepps or Veltic preferably in green.