Access map

View the river level.

The Oraka Stream is a small clear water that flows through well-defined banks over a shingle and mud bottom. As it is spring fed, it seldom discolours after rain. Areas of the upper reaches can be hard to fish as the banks can be quite overgrown. The section between Putaruru and Tirau however provides several kilometers of excellent accessible water.

The river is wadable though surprisingly deep in many places. There is ample bank side vegetation and consequently there is plenty of food to support a good population
of small to medium sized fish.

In the headwaters there is public access that extends approximately 10 km upstream from Putaruru. From Domain road, of SH 1, there is access for approximately 5 km upstream.

There is limited access around Tirau and so it is necessary to ask permission from the landowner's before crossing their land. See the Oraka Stream access map.

Dry flies: Sedge/ caddis patterns work well throughout the summer with beetle patterns working very well in early summer and cicada and cricket patterns from late summer to autumn.

Nymphs: Small lightly weighted nymphs in sizes 14 to 18 in patterns such as Hare and Copper, Halfback, and Pheasant Tail work well throughout the season. During the height of summer, unweighted midge patterns work well in early evening.

Wet flies: Killer, Mrs Simpson or a small soft hackled fly such as a March Brown Spider

Spinners: Very small bladed spinners such as Veltic or Mepps work well especially in red and gold