Access map

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View the River flow - Waikanae (middle reaches)

View the rainfall - Waikanae

The upper river is beautiful with stable pools but holds relatively few trout.  The river wanders through patches of native rewarewa and tawa trees. The middle and lower reaches are very pleasant and hold moderate numbers of good fish with a few big sea run specimens.

Early in the season the best fishing is above the railway bridge and below Reikorangi. In summer when the water level falls, the most productive water is between Otaihanga and the water treatment weir.

Upper reaches:

From the Upper Hutt to Waikanae road through the Akatarawa Gorge.

Middle reaches:
From Otaihanga

Lower reaches:
Reikorangi Road from Waikanae

See the Waikanae River access map.

Nymphs: Weighted stoneflies , mayfly   (throughout the season) and caddis patterns (from early summer). And of course the ubiquitous Hare and
Copper is always a good standby, particularly when tied in a dark and rough pattern.

Dry flies: Popular patterns include Royal Wulff, Adams, Blue Dun, Coch-y-Bondhu, beetle patterns (during the early summer) and cicada and cricket patterns late in the summer.

Wet flies: Use small wee-wets such as March Brown, Red Governor and Hardies Favourite.

Spinners: Small bladed spinners such as Mepps or Veltic fished deep in the rapids and pools.