| Fish type, number and
size |
The Pomahaka holds brown trout and sea
salmon (plus perch).
In the headwaters, the trout are large
(2-3 kg) but few. In the middle and lower reaches, there are
smaller fish (0.5-1.5 kg) but more of them.
Returning sea salmon average 2-6 kg. However,
an 11kg salmon was landed by a Tapanui man, Jason Stuart,
in February 2008. The fish didn't fit in the boot of his car
so had to be transported home on the back seat. Jason reported
two or three other salmon of a similar size in the hole where
he was fishing. |
| Situation |
The Pomahaka River rises south
of Roxburgh in the Umbrella Mountains, and winds through 125
km through West Otago farmland before entering the Clutha River
below Clydedale. |
| Maps |
Access
map
Topographic
map
LINZ
topographic maps: 1:50,000 (260
series)
|
| Check conditions |
View the MetService
weather forecast for Queenstown. |
| F&G pamphlet |
Lower
Clutha Catchment pamphlet |
| Conservation order |
A conservation order, designed
to provide for the unimpeded migration of fish, prohibits
damming of the Pomohaka River except for stockwater supply
purposes. For more details refer to the Otago
Regional Council website and the Regional Water Plan. |
| Upper reaches |
In the headwaters, the Pomahaka
is a classic high-country stream with steep gorges, deep pools
and clear, slightly tea-stained water. |
| Middle reaches |
In the middle reaches, (fromLeithen
picnic area to Conical Hill) the river flows mainly through
flat pasturelands with a gravel bed. |
| Lower reaches |
In the lower reaches, there
is a series of gorges and flats, and the water is darker in
colour making it harder to spot the fish. |
| Recommended lures |
Variants
of the mayfly
at different stages of its lifecycle should be tried on all
parts of the river.
Nymphs: Large
weighted nymphs in the headwaters, including Hare’s
Ear and Pheasant
Tail. In the middle and lower reaches in summer,
Willow Grub is a must.
Dry flies:
Terrestrial type dry flies in the headwaters such as Coch-y
Bondhu and Grasshopper
Wet flies:
Spinners: Veltic,
Toby, or
articulated trout |
| Tributaries |
Waipahi
River |
| Regulations
(1) |
| Applicable to |
Pomahaka River except areas
below |
| Region |
Otago
regulations |
| Season |
1 Oct-30 Apr |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Bag limit |
6 |
| Size limit (cm) |
None |
| Regulations
(2) |
| Applicable to |
Pomahaka River downstream of
Swans Bridge (Clydevale Road) |
| Region |
Otago
regulations |
| Season |
1 Oct-30 Apr |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Bag limit |
6 |
| Size limit (cm) |
None |
| Regulations
(3) |
| Applicable to |
Pomahaka River upstream from
Park Hill Bridge (Switzers Road) |
| Region |
Otago
regulations |
| Season |
1 Oct-30 Apr |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Bag limit |
3 |
| Size limit (cm) |
None |
