Inangahua River Trout Fishing

A large tributary of the lower Buller River, the Inangahua River is an excellent fishery providing many kilometres of excellent fishing for a good population of brown trout.

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Fish type	Brown trout
Situation	The small town of Reefton is mid-way along the Inangahua River and makes for an excellent base as does the town of Inangahua which is at the confluence with the Buller. Wesport is approximately 35 minutes and Murchison 30 minutes drive.
Setting	The Inanguhua rises in the Victoria Range near the small settlement of Springs Junction. It flows north through mostly open country to join the Buller River at Inangahua township. This is a beautiful river to fish.
Maps	Access map Access map with topography LINZ topographic maps: 1:50,000 (260 series)
Check conditions	View MetService weather forecast for Westport.
F&G pamphlet	West Coast Sports Fisheries access pamphlet >>>
Description	The Inanguhua runs over a bed of stone and gravel. In the lower reaches before it joins the Buller it has many wide expanses where the water is fairly shallow and offers good sport to both fly and spin fishing. All along this area however there are deeper runs where the numerous trout tend to congregate. Fish tend to rise freely through these stretches making it an ideal spot for the dry fly enthusiast. As one moves upstream there are numerous deeper pools punctuated by long glides and riffles. The middle section has some challenging water especially around the confluence with Larry's Creek where the water is faster and deeper. Above the township of Reefton there are many excellent areas to fish with easy access from the road. Downstream from Reefton is more challenging however. The headwaters are a mixture of glides and pools punctuated by some faster water. The Inangahua generally has slightly coloured water which makes the spotting of the fish more difficult. The fish however seem to be less concerned by the presence of anglers and cooperate accordingly when a fly is well presented. A great river to fish.
Fish numbers and size	In the middle and lower reaches fish stocks are high with most being in the 2 -3lb range. There are many larger fish however especially in the middle reaches.
Ease of fishing	This is mostly an easy river to fish though due to the diversity of water it offers there are places that suit all levels of angling skills.
Access	Access to most sections of the river is via Hiagway 69 (between Inangahua township and Reefton) for the middle and lower reaches and State Highway 7 between Reefton and Springs Junction for the upper reaches. See the Inangahua River access map.
Recommended lures	Nymphs: This river reponds best to lightly weighted nymphs such as size 16 Hare and Coppers, Pheasant Tail, or any green Stonefly patterns. (more weight may be required to get to the larger fish spotted in the deeper pools and runs). Dry flies: Coch-y-Bondhu, Molefly, Royal Wulff and Humpy patterns can work well when fished over riffles. Small sizes work best in the shallow waters but try a bushier palmered type fly in the more robust rapids. Wet flies: Small wets like Greenwell's Glory, March Brown and sedge emerger patterns in size 14 work well when fished sub-surface especially during the evening or early morning. Small wets swung across a current and over a deeper channel can also induce a strike . Spinners: Small bladed spinners (Mepps or Veltic) fished into the faster water or through the deep pools are best. Toby patterns can also be effective near the confluence with the Buller or in any slower moving pool especially between October to December.
Tributaries	The Inangahua has several tributaries that are worth exploring by anglers. These include the Waitahu River, Te Wharau River and Larry's Creek.
Regulations (1)
Applicable to	Inangahua River (Lower) except between Perserverance Bridge and the Buller confluence
Region	West Coast >>>
Season	1 Oct-30 Apr
Methods	Artifical fly, spinner, bait
Bag limit	Total: 4 Rainbow trout: 2 Salmon: 1
Size limit (cm)	No limit
Regulations (2)
Applicable to	Inangahua River (Lower) from Perserverance Bridge to Buller confluence
Region	West Coast >>>
Season	Trout: All year Salmon: 1 Oct-30 Apr
Methods	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Bag limit	Brown trout: 4 Rainbow trout: 2 Salmon: 2
Size limit (cm)	No limit

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