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La Fontaine Stream Trout Fishing

The La Fontaine Stream is regarded as one of the best dry fly and nymph streams on the West Coast for wild hard fighting brown trout.

Fish type	Brown trout
Situation	Approximately 58kms south of Hokitika
Setting	A beautiful spring fed small river that flows gently from an area of wetland near the township of Harihari over open land to join the Wanganui River about 8kms upstream from where it enters the Tasman Sea.
Maps	Access map Access map with topography LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000) I34 Harihari
F&G pamphlet	West Coast Sports Fisheries access pamphlet >>>
Description	Regarded as one of the finest fly fishing rivers in the South Island the La Fontaine is a river to challenge the experienced angler. The water is generally lightly coloured and flows between banks which provide good cover for the fish. The water has prolific insect life and the trout seem to thrive in its waters. The river is quite short (about 16kms) but is fishable for most of its length. The trout are very wary however and although spotting them in the weedy water is possible, tempting them is much more difficult. A water for the purist who wishes to try their skills on good hard-fighting well conditioned fish.
Fish numbers and size	Good fish numbers with most being in the 2 -6lb range
Ease of fishing	Easy access though a river for the experienced angler with inexperienced anglers finding the fish challenging to catch
Access	The Wanganui Flat Road and the La Fontaine road give access to most of the river though permission will be needed from land owners when crossing their land. See the La Fontaine access map.
Recommended lures	Nymphs: Any lightly weighted or unweighted Caddis nymph, Pheasant Tail or Hare and Copper are favoured though they should be in small sizes (16 or even 18 is best) and fished with as light a leader as dared in this water. Dry flies: Fish respond to dry flies such as Royal Wulff, Adams, Geenwell's Glory, Dad's Favourite or Twilight Beauty throughout the day and into the evening when there can be an excellent rise. Keep sizes in the 16 to 18 range however. Wet flies: Small wets fished subsurface can be effective (such as Greenwell's Glory, Twilight Beauty or March Brown) Spinners: Very small bladed spinners such as Veltic or Mepps are best but this is not a river best suited to spin fishing.
Regulations
Applicable to	La Fontaine Stream
Region	West Coast >>>
Season	Trout: 1 Oct-30 Apr Salmon: 1 Oct-30 Apr
Methods	Artifical fly, spinner, bait
Bag limit	Brown trout: 4 Rainbow trout: 2 Salmon: 2
Size limit (cm)	No limit

Wapiti Park Homestead

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