| Fish type |
Brown
trout |
| Situation |
The lower
reaches are approximately 8kms north of Hokitika with side roads
leading to sections of the middle reaches. |
| Setting |
The Arahura is a moderately
large river that has a large watershed. As this part of the
country has a very high rainfall this river generally carries
a lot of water and the current can be surprisingly powerful
as it nears the coast. The lower and middle reaches flow over
mostly open land with the upper reaches and headwaters flowing
through some steep bush-line valleys. |
| Maps |
Access
map
Access
map with topography
LINZ
topographic maps: 1:50,000 (260
series)
|
| Check conditions |
View MetService
weather forecast for Hokitika. |
| F&G pamphlet |
West Coast Sports Fisheries
access pamphlet >>> |
| Special note |
Mawhera Incorporation (Ngai
Tahu) have legal title to the bed and banks (but not the water)
of the Arahura River. They also own the pounamu or greenstone
for which the Arahura catchment is renowned and which is of
high significance both economically and culturally to Maori.
A few years ago there were problems with greenstone fossickers
eventually prompting Mawhera to put a complete ban on public
access.
Fish & Game subsequently negotiated
an agreement whereby anglers would be granted access for which
a $5 “administration fee” would apply for the
issue of a permit. Anglers intending to fish the river should
phone Mawhera Corporation office on 03 755 6313 or 03 755
5400.
|
| Description |
The Arahura flows mostly over
a stone and gravel bed. The water is generally clear though
after prolonged rainfall it can become dirty and tends to stay
that way for a few days. The upper reaches are for the energetic
angler as the river flows through a beautiful valley. Some areas
are difficult to negotiate because of gorges however but there
are many kilometres of wonderful fishing opportunities. The
middle reaches have a more open land but care should be taken
when wading as the river can be surprisingly swift (and the
stone bottom slippery). The lower and middle reaches have mostly
brown trout but there are a reasonable number of good size rainbow
trout above the Milltown Rd bridge. |
| Fish numbers and size |
Fish numbers are moderate and
mostly in the 2 -4lb range. The upper reaches do have some large
fish however and the lower reaches and estuarine areas can be
good for large sea-run fish. |
| Ease of fishing |
The middle and lower reaches
offer fishing for all skills levels with the upper reaches being
suited to the more energetic and competent angler |
| Access |
Access to the lower reaches
is via State Highway 6 with a number of roads such as the Arahura
Valley Rd and Humphrey's Gully Rd leading of this and giving
access to the middle reaches. The Milltown rd crosses the Arahura
further upstream and from here anglers can walk a well defined
track into the remote back country headwaters. See the Arahura
access
map. |
| Recommended lures |
Nymphs:
Small nymphs such as Hare
and Copper, Pheasant
Tails and Caddis
imitations all work well in sizes 14 or smaller.
Dry flies:
Small flies such as Royal
Wulff, Hardies
Favourite, Dad's
Favourite and March
Brown all work well at all times of the day. Fish bushier
flies such as Coch-y-Bondhu
and Humpy over
the faster water.
Wet flies: Small
wets like Greenwell's
Glory, March
Brown and emerger
sedge patterns work well when fished sub-surface. These
flies are particularly effective when fishing the evening
rise. Large flies such as a Parson's
Glory or Grey
Ghost are excellent when the trout are chasing the whitebait
in the lower reaches and estuary. Use large dark patterns
such as a Hairy
Dog or Scotch
Poacher during the night.
Spinners: Small
bladed spinners (Mepps
or Veltic) fished
upstream into the faster water or through the deep pools.
Bright spinners such as a Silver
Toby or Cobra
work well in the lower reaches when the whitebait are running. |
| Tributaries |
There a number of small tributaries
to the Arahura which can provide good fishing in there lower
reaches especially early in the season. |
| Regulations (1) |
| Applicable to |
Arahura River upstream of Milltown
(Landsburgh) Bridge |
| Region |
West Coast >>>
|
| Season |
Trout: 1 Oct-30
Apr
Salmon: 1 Oct-30 Apr |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Bag limit |
Total: 4 sportfish
Salmon: 2 |
| Size limit (cm) |
No limit |
| Regulations (2) |
| Applicable to |
Arahura River downstream of
Milltown (Landsburgh) Bridge |
| Region |
West Coast >>>
|
| Season |
Trout: All
year
Salmon: 1 Oct-30 Apr |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Bag limit |
Brown trout: 4
Salmon: 2
|
| Size limit (cm) |
No limit |
