Upper Waihou River
Background
Perfect, crystal clear water flowing over a stable white pumice bed, make this a striking river to fish. The very high water quality is due to the exclusively spring fed nature of the river, with water from the Mamaku Plateau taking between 50 and 100 years to filter through to the springs. Stable flow rates and a stable temperature of 11 degrees celsius provide ideal conditions for prolific weed growth, which ensures a healthy environment for many forms of aquatic insects. This in turn makes an ideal environment for trout.
Trout are present in large numbers, this is especially true of juvenile fish that will often attack an anglers fly with real enthusiasm. The larger trout are another matter! The clear water makes them very wary of predators and the plentiful aquatic vegetation provides plenty of places to hide.
The best chance of catching one of the larger trout is to fish early in the morning or late evening, when low light levels give the fish greater confidence.
Another opportunity arrives in the form of the annual spawning migration. This river is open to anglers all year, so many larger fish from the lower reaches can be encountered in the early winter as they head up river.
Fishing on the river.
Huge fun can be had during the day using small nymphs and dries. The smaller inexperienced trout will not be able to resist an apparently easy meal and the mobile angler will enjoy a good number of takes from these eager youngsters.
The river changes character regularly, with stretches of smooth water not unlike an English chalkstream broken by sections of rapids and small tumbling waterfalls.
The flyfisher might expect the larger trout to head for the deeper pools for sanctuary but that is often not the case, faster runs with broken water often provide a greater sence of security for these trout. Also the numerous weedbeds provide plenty of secure cover. The depth of water is also deceptive, thanks to the water clarity. A run that appears only two feet deep, may in reality be more than twice that.
Tempting these larger trout requires extreme stealth and an accurate cast. I have found early mornings most productive with the best method being the upstream nymph. A small weighted PTN or Hare and Copper works very well. No strike indicator is required as usually the fish is visible and the take can be clearly seen. A fantastic way to take a trout.