| Fish type |
The
numbers of brown trout are good: drift dive surveys have indicated
that some sections have over 100 fish per kilometre. Fish in
the upper reaches average over 4lb and can reach trophy sizes.
There are some sea-run trout in the lower reaches which can
also reach impressive sizes. |
| Setting |
The Karamea
River is one of New Zealand's prime wilderness brown trout fisheries.
It rises in the rugged Allen Ranges and flows for most of its
entire length within the beautiful Kahurangi National Park.
After flowing north for many kilometres of fishable water it
turns west at the Leslie Junction (also known as Big Bend).
It then flows west entering the Karamea Gorge below the Roaring
Lion. After leaving the very rugged gorge region it opens out
over farmland before entering the Tasman Sea near the small
township of Karamea. |
| Maps |
Access
map
Access
map with topography
LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series,
1:50,000)
M27
Mount Arthur for the upper and middle reaches
L27
Karamea for lower reaches and estuary. |
| F&G pamphlet |
West Coast Sports Fisheries
access pamphlet >>> |
| Description |
The Karamea
is a very challenging and beautiful river to fish. It flows
through mostly virgin bush country and provides experienced
anglers with a huge range of fishing options. The water remains
clear and clean except after very heavy rain. It then clears
very quickly again.
The upper reaches above the confluence
with the Leslie has the river flowing strongly over a stable
rock and stone bed. This is ideal nymphing and dry fly water.
The section between the Leslie Junction
(Big Bend) and the Roaring Lion offers a range of strong rapids
and glides punctuated by some deep pools. All fishing methods
work well in this section.
Below the Roaring Lion the river flows
through a steep gorge and is more difficult to fish. It has
superb fishing however for the more energetic angler.
The lower reaches open up over mostly farmland
and are best suited to spinning though fly fishing also remains
productive. |
| Ease of fishing |
In the lower reaches this is
a relatively easy river to fish. In the gorge it is very difficult
and should ony be attempted by fit competent anglers. The middle
reaches between the Roaring Lion and the Leslie confluence it
is moderate (once you have got there) and above the Leslie it
becomes more challenging. |
| Access |
The lower
reaches can be reached by car and are about an hour from Westport.
To get to the fishing areas described in
the park area, anglers need to be prepared to walk (about
2 -3 days depending on the area to be fished) or travel in
by
helicopter. See the Karamea River access
map. |
| Recommended lures |
Nymphs:
In the upper reaches weighted flies are recommended such as
a gold
bead Hare and Copper or Pheasants
Tail (sizes 12- 14). In the middle reaches anglers should
use smaller nymphs, especially during the warmer months when
the river is lower and clearer. Again any Pheasant
Tail variant or Hares
Ear or Stone
Fly patterns in sizes 14 or smaller work well. Use weighted
flies in the deeper or faster water. The lower reaches are
less suited to nymphing but should anglers still wish to pursue
this method use large dark nymphs.
Dry flies:
Bushy dry flies are the order for the upper reaches. Any palmered
fly that floats well in a size 12 - 14 works well. In the
middle reaches smaller dry flies are more effective. Any Adams,
Greenwell's
Glory or Mole
Fly can be effective and during the early summer a Green
Beetle or a Cicada
pattern from late summer work well during the day.
Wet flies:
Small wets work very well during the evening when the fish
are rising. Patterns such as a March
Brown, Dad's
Favourite or Greenwell's
Glory are all effective. There is often a very good evening
rise in the lower reaches as the river moves out of the gorge
area. Larger patterns such as a Muddler
Minnow or Mrs
Simpson also work well when fished through the larger
pools or at night (when very dark patterns such as a Hairy
Dog or Black
Fuzzy-Wuzzy should be used).
Spinners: Spinners
work well throughout the river and are the only effective
method in the lower reaches. Black
Toby patterns, Tasmanian
Devils and bladed spinners such as a Mepps
or Veltic all
work well. |
| Tributaries |
The Karamea has a large number
of tributaries and the following are given their own chapetrs.
They are the Crow, the Ugly, the Beautiful, The Roaring Lion
and the Leslie. There are many other smaller tributaries however
and these can also be worth exploring as they will contain some
surprisingly large fish. These include the Kakapo upstream from
the Gorge and several of the creeks that enter the Karamea upstream
from the junction with the Crow River. |
| Regulations (1) |
| Applicable to |
Karamea River and tributaries
above the cableway at the mouth of Lower Gorge |
| Region |
West Coast >>> |
| Season |
Trout:
1 Oct-30 Apr
Salmon: 1 Oct-30 Apr |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Bag limit |
Total sport fish: 2 |
| Size limit (cm) |
No limit |
| Regulations (2) |
| Applicable to |
Karamea River downstream of
the cableway at the mouth of Lower Gorge |
| 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 |
