Nile River Trout Fishing (Waitakere River)

The Waitakere or Nile river is small and provides good fishing for brown trout in a beautiful environment.

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Fish type	Brown trout
Situation	The lower reaches are about 24kms from Westport.
Setting	The Waitakere rises inthe Paparoa Range and flows north west to join the Tasman Sea just south of Westport. Mostly it runs through very isolated native bush.
Maps	Access map Access map with topography LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000) K29 Westport for the lower reaches K30 Punakaiki for the middle reaches and headwaters
F&G pamphlet	West Coast Sports Fisheries access pamphlet >>>
Description	For most of its length, the Waitakere River is very challenging to fish as it runs though virgin native forest and can be swift and rough in many places. It flows over a boulder and stone bed and offers the angler a series of rapids, glides and deep pools. Anglers prepared to walk however can find many open spaces in which to fish.
Fish numbers and size	Good numbers of fish mostly in the 2-4lb range.
Ease of fishing	In the lower reaches the Waitakere is easy to fish with either a spinner or fly. The middle reaches and headwaters are very challenging however and for the most fit and adventurous angler.
Access	The lower reaches can be accessed via State Highway 6. A small side road (Darkies Terrace Rd) takes you about 4kms inlad from the mouth. The upper reaches require some 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. 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. Use bushy flies in the faster boisterous water. Wet flies: Small wet flies such as March Brown, Greenwell's Glory or sedge emerger patterns work well throughout the days when fished under the ample vegetation and are particularly effective in the evening rise. Large flies such as Dorothy, Parson's Glory and Grey Ghost can be very effective when the whitebait are running in the lower reaches and the estuary. Spinners: Small bladed spinners such as Veltic or Mepps but in the lower reaches use a Silver Toby when the whitebait are running.
Regulations
Applicable to	Waitakere River
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

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