Access map

The Makakahi river is small and has a gentle current. It mostly flows over open land and between willow lined banks in a series of pools and gentle riffles. Fish can be spotted as they cruise the pools in search of food (as there are not well defined lies, the fish do not usually take up a station but prefer to move around in search of food). During the summer they rise freely throughout the day and respond well to lightly weighted or unweighted nymphs.

Although it is easy to wade, care should  be taken during the summer as the river bed can get very slippery due to algal growth. Many anglers favour pushing in between the willows and bank-side vegetation and making short castes to cruising fish. Mastering the bow and arrow cast in these situations can be an advantage.

Nymphs:
Pheasant Tail and Prince Nymph patterns. Usually smaller sizes (14 – 18) and  unweighted is best

Dry flies:
Caddis fly patterns and large Mayfly patterns throughout the season with beetle patterns around November and cicada patterns and crickets in the summer months.

Wet flies:
Small spider patterns fished across and down.

Spinners: Small bladed spinners in dull colours.