Toaroha River Trout Fishing

The Toaroha River offers excellent dry fly and nymph fishing for both rainbow and brown trout in a beautiful remote backcountry setting.

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Fish type	Brown and rainbow trout
Situation	20kms from Hokitika
Setting	The Toaroha rises in the ranges to the west of Hokitika and flows north to join the Kokatahi River. It flows through very scenic remote bush country and is genearlly clean and clear.
Maps	Access map Access map with topography LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000) J33 Kaniere for the middle and lower reaches J34 Whitcombe for the upper reaches.
F&G pamphlet	West Coast Sports Fisheries access pamphlet >>>
Description	This is a beautiful river flowing through a very scenic and remote valley. The water flows over a stone and boulder bed and fish are easily spotted in the clear water.
Fish numbers and size	Fish numbers are moderate and fish generally in the 2-4lb range thouigh there are good numbers of much bigger fish as well.
Ease of fishing	A river for the more experienced angler.
Access	Access to the very lower reaches is via a small side road of the Upper Kokatahi road. A good walking track follows the river up into the headwaters.
Recommended lures	Nymphs: Small unweighted nymphs such as Pheasant Tail variants and Hares Ear, Hare and Copper fished on very long leaders. Dry flies: Cicada patterns are very effective from late summer and beetle patterns work well in early summer. Otherwise use small flies of the Greenwell's Glory, Royal Wulff or March Brown type flies. In the faster water use large visible palmered flies, especially in the hotter months when the river can be low. Wet flies: Small wets like Greenwell's Glory, March Brown and sedge emerger patterns work well when fished sub-surface. These flies are especially good when fishing the evening rise. Spinners: Small bladed spinners (Mepps or Veltic) fished into the faster water or through the deep pools or into the faster rapids are best for this river.
Regulations
Applicable to	Toaroha River
Region	West Coast >>>
Season	Trout: 1 Oct-30 Apr Salmon: 1 Oct-30 Apr
Methods	Trout: 1 Oct-30 Apr Salmon: 1 Oct-30 Apr
Bag limit	Brown trout: 4 Rainbow trout: 2 Salmon: 2
Size limit (cm)	No limit

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