Kohaihai River Trout Fishing

The Kohaihai River is a small stream that contains a moderate head of brown trout.

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Fish type	Brown trout
Situation	1.5 hours from Westport
Setting	The Kohaihai is a small river that rises in the Tasman Mountains and flows west to enter the Tasman Sea at the northernmost end of the West Coast road where the Heaphy Track begins (or ends).
Maps	Access map Access map with topography LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000) L26 Heaphy
F&G pamphlet	West Coast Sports Fisheries access pamphlet
Description	This small isolated river flows over stones and shingle and through native bushland. Its waters tend to carry some colour from the forest making the spotting of fish more difficult.
Fish numbers and size	The river has moderate numbers of fish mostly in the 2-3lb range.
Ease of fishing	A moderately challenging river requiring anglers to walk to the most promising areas.
Access	Access is via the West Coadt road that takes you to the lower reachs. The rest is accessed by walking.
Recommended lures	Nymphs: Small Hare and Copper, Pheasants Tail variants and any small straggly looking nymph in small sizes (size 16 preferred) work well. Some weight may be required in the deeper and faster sections. Dark coloured flies are more effective in this water. Dry flies: Small winged patterns such as Greenwell's Glory, March Brown or Adams are all effective. Green Beetles are effective in early summer and Cicada patterns from late summer are very effective. Wet flies: Small wet flies such as March Brown, Greenwell's Glory or sedge emerger patterns patterns work well throughout the days when fished under the ample vegetation and are particularly effective in the evening rise. Spinners: Small bladed spinners such as Veltic or Mepps
Regulations (1)
Applicable to	Kohaihai River upstream of Heaphy Track Bridge
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	Kohaihai River downstream of Heaphy Track Bridge
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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