| Fish type |
The
Mokihinui holds good numbers of brown trout. The fish
are generally over 4lb with a good number of trophy size fish
for the more experienced angler. |
| Situation |
The Mokihinui drains the Matiri
Ranges and flows west through virgin beech forest and open tussock
country to enter the Tasman Sea about 40kms (30 minutes) north
of Westport. At the Forks the river divides into two branches,
the North and South Branch, both of which a number of smaller
streams enter. |
| Maps |
Access
map
Access
map with topography
LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series,
1:50,000)
L28
Mokihinui |
| F&G pamphlet |
West Coast Sports Fisheries
access pamphlet >>> |
| Description |
In the
upper reaches the river is very remote but has good stretches
of open water that are easy to fish. The river runs very clear
over a stone and rock bed and the large trout can be easily
spotted in the long runs and pools. This is first class
fishing water in a pristine wilderness environment.
The lower reaches hold good numbers of
fish, some of them sea-run brown trout. These are best fished
for when the whitebait are running up the river. |
| Access |
Middle
and upper reaches: The more interesting middle reaches
and the two branches can only be reached via a well defined
walking track or by
helicopter.
Lower reaches:
Access can be gained to the lower reaches on Highway 67 and
taking the Mokihinui Rd at the small settlement of Seddonville.
|
| Recommended lures |
Nymphs:
Small nymphs such as Hare
and Copper, Pheasant
Tail and Caddis
imitations all work well in sizes 14 or smaller.
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. Fish bushier
flies such as Coch-y-Bondhu
and Humpy over
the faster water.
Wet flies:
Small wets like Greenwell's
Glory, March
Brown and emerger Sedge
patterns work well when fished sub-surface. These flies
are particularly effective when fishing the evening rise.
Large flies such as a Parson's
Glory or Grey
Ghost are excellent when the trout are chasing the whitebait
in the lower reaches and estuary. Use large dark patterns
such as a Hairy
Dog or Scotch
Poacher during the night.
Spinners: Small
bladed spinners (Mepps
or Veltic) fished
upstream into the faster water or through the deep pools.
Spinners also work well in the lower reaches when the whitebait
are running. |
| Tributaries |
As well as the two major branches
of this river there are a number of smaller tributaries that
also offer excellent fishing. Notable are the Hemphill River,
Hennessy Creek, the Johnson, the Allen and the Larrikin. |
| Regulations (1) |
| Applicable to |
Mokihinui River and tributaries
upstream of the cableway at Welcome Creek |
| Region |
West Coast >>> |
| Season |
1 Oct-30 Apr |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Bag limit |
Total sports fish: 2 |
| Size limit (cm) |
No limit |
| Regulations (2) |
| Applicable to |
Mokihinui River downstream of
the cableway at Welcome Creek |
| 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 |
