Tokiahuru Stream

The Tokiahuru Stream rises on the southern flanks of Mt Ruapehu and flows south-west to join the Whangaehu south of Ohakune. It is a small spring fed creek and as such will often remain clean and clear long after other rivers in the area have become discoloured.

View maps

Fish type	Brown and rainbow trout.
Situation	Rising on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu the river flows alongside the Whangaehu Valley Road before joining the Whangaehu river.
Maps	Access map Access map with topography LINZ topographic maps: 1:50,000 (260 series)
Check conditions	View MetService weather forecast for Gore.
Description	The Tokiahuru is a small spring fed creek that flows over farmland for most of its length. While there are some open sections there are considerable stretches where the river is crwded in by bankside vegetation, notably willow trees that often meet in the stream making fishing impossible. These unfishable sections however provide good safe places for the fish and will usually be where they bolt to when hooked. The river has a good constant flow and is easily waded. There is usually a deeper channel down one bank where the fish will be found. The fish which range up to 2 kg in weight rise freely and will readily accept any well presented dry fly. This is a great little river to have in mind when others in the area have become discoloured and unfishable.
Fish numbers and size	The small river holds a good population of both rainbow and brown trout and although there are many small fish there seems to be some good sized fish as well.
Access	The Whangaehu Valley Road (the road that leads to Whanganui) provides good access especially from the bridges that cross it. Most of the river crosses farmland and so it is necessary to ask landowner permission to access some areas though this is always readily given.
Methods	Both fly and spinner work well and this is a beautiful dry fly water.
Recommended tackle	Keep tackle as light as you can. The river does not require or even allow long casts so a small weight 4 or similat rod is ideal. Leaders need to be reasonably long though as the water is clear and the fish will bolt for cover if spooked.
Recommended lures	Dry flies: Small mayfly patterns such as an adams all year and Humpy and beetle, cricket and cicada patterns in the warmer months. Nymphs: Stonefly and caddis fly nymphs, pheasant tails, prince nymphs and small Hare and Coppers. Wet flies: Small wet flies such as Bibio, Greenwell's Glory or Invicta can be effective especially in the evenings. Spinners: small bladed spinners of the mepps or veltic varieties
Tributaries	The Waitaiki Stream is a major tributary and a great small fishery in its own right.
Regulations (1)
Applicable to	Tokiahuru Stream downstream from the bridge at SH49
Region	Taranaki region regulations
Season	All year
Methods	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Bag limit	4
Size limit (cm)	none
Regulations (2)
Applicable to	Tokiahuru Stream upstream from the bridge at SH49
Region	Taranaki region regulations
Season	1 Oct-30 Jun
Methods	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Bag limit	4
Size limit (cm)	none

Snowy Waters

The River Lodge

The Park Travellers' Lodge

Top of page