Upper reaches:
Access map

Lower reaches:
Access map

View the rainfall.

Above Motu Falls

The upper reaches are really the only easily accessible section of the river to the angler. The upper reaches flow through a mixture of open farmland and bush country.
Much of these headwaters her over open land however and holds a good population of trout (and an even larger population of eels).

The river will quickly discolour after heavy rain but will clear very quickly. Consequently, trout are not hard to spot and so 90% of the fishing is to sighted fish. It does offer excellent dry fly and nymph water as well as offering plenty of opportunity for spinning. It is a remote river and is protected by a National Water Conservation Order.

Access

These upper reaches can be reached from the small settlement of Matawai on State Highway 2. Much of the river is over private farmland and so permission must be sought from the landowner before crossing their land.

Below Motu Falls

The middle reaches below Motu Falls are very rugged and inaccessible. The section should be left to the very energetic and experienced angler and is really best suited to those wishing to spin fish. It is a popular rafting river and the use of a raft is the most practicable method of transport through this region. Anyone who is travelling down the river by raft would be well advised to include a small spinning rod (and camera) with their luggage.

Access

Access to the middle reaches is via raft (and only experienced rafters should attempt this river).

Below the Magatane River confluence

The lower reaches below the confluence with the Magatane River have little interest to the anglers this part of the Motu is silt laden and not an attractive area to fish. It is worth however, spin fishing for the number of large kahawai at the river mouth when they are running.

Access

Road access to the river mouth on SH35.

Those fishing the upper reaches are best served by using a rod capable of casting a four to six weight lines and by using a floating line.

Spinning is best done with rods capable of casting seven gram lure and by using 2 - 4 kg lines.

Dry flies:  Adams, Kakahi Queen, Caddis, Humpy, Royal Wulff throughout the day. During summer try cicada and cricket patterns and in late summer, lace fly patterns.

Nymphs: Use weighted nymphs such as Hare and Copper, Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail, Stonefly and Prince Nymphs.

Wet flies: In the upper reaches: Use soft hackle or palmered flies such as Bibio, Zulu or Palmer Red and winged emerger patterns such as Invicta, March Brown or  Greenwell's Glory.

At the mouth when the kahawai are running try smelt patterns such as Grey Ghost, rabbit patterns, Parsons'  Glory, Ginger Mick and Jack Spratt during the day and dark patterns such as Fuzzy Wuzzy or Black Marabou during the evening or night.

Spinners:
In the upper reaches: Cast using small bladed spinners such as Veltic or Mepps and cast them upstream into the pools.

Around the mouth: If fishing for kahawai, use silver or gold Tobys.