Mikonui River Trout Fishing

The Mikonui River is a clear stone and gravel river that holds a good head of brown trout and sea-run fish in a scenic setting.

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Fish type	Brown trout and sea-run fish fromn October to December.
Situation	28kms south of Hokitika
Setting	The Mikonui River rises in the high hills and runs west through a bush covered valley to enter the sea south of Hokitika. In the last few kilometres it flows into a large lagoon where the water becomes brackish. It can flood easily due to the very high rainfall of the region.
Maps	Access map Access map with topography map LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000) J33 Kaniere
F&G pamphlet	West Coast Sports Fisheries access pamphlet >>>
Description	Above the tidal lagoon area the Mikonui is a clear medium sized river that runs over a bed of rock and stone. It consists of a series of deep pools punctuated by rapids and long glides. In the upper reaches it divides into two branches with the southern branch (the Tuke River) entering aninaccessible gorge and the northern branch (the Mikonui) being best fished earlny or late in the season. The best fishing is around Gribben Flat where the river opens out over some farmland. The river is mostly wadeable.
Fish numbers and size	There is a good population of resident brown trout in the river and a good number of sea - run trout in the lower reaches.
Ease of fishing	The lower reaches and middle reaches offer relatively easy fishing though the upper reaches require some effort.
Access	State Highway 6 crosses the Mikonui a few kilometres south of the small township of Ross. A small road just south of the bridge gives access to the lagoon area. Totara Valley Road gives access to the area around Gribben Flat.
Recommended lures	Nymphs: Nymphs such as Hare and Copper, Pheasant Tails and Caddis imitations all work well in sizes 10 - 14 or smaller. Some weight may be required to get the flies down through the faster water or to fish spotted in the deeper pools. 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. In the more boisterous water use large visible palmered flies, especially in the hotter months when the river is low and very clear. Wet flies: Small wets like Greenwell's Glory, March Brown and sedge emerger patterns work well when fished sub-surface. These flies are particularly effective when fishing the evening rise. In the lower tidal reaches use a slow sinking line and a fly such as a Grey Ghost, Parson's Glory, Dorothy or Jack Spratt for the good number of sea-run fish. Spinners: Small bladed spinners (Mepps or Veltic) fished upstream into the faster water or through the deeper pools. In the lagoon area between Oct to Dec use silver pattern minnow type spinners such as a Toby or Cobra to imitate the shoals of whitebait that enter the river and are irrestible to the trout.
Regulations (1)
Applicable to	Mikonui River upstream of State Highway No. 6
Region	West Coast >>>
Season	1 Oct-30 Apr
Methods	Artifical fly, spinner, bait
Bag limit	Brown trout: 4 Rainbow trout: 2 Salmon: 2
Size limit (cm)	No limit
Regulations (2)
Applicable to	Mikonui River downstream of State Highway No. 6
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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