One of the most under-fished trout fishing areas in New Zealand is, surprisingly, the region closest to the major population centres of Auckland and Hamilton. Despite its accessibility, the Auckland/Waikato region offers an enormous variety of fishing, ranging from large, deep and sometimes mysterious lakes to small, pristine spring-fed streams where trout can be sight-fished in crystal-clear water.
The region is dominated by four major river systems: the Waikato River, with its chain of hydro lakes; the Waipa River; the Whanganui River; and the Waihou River. Each has numerous tributaries, many of which are important trout fisheries in their own right. In addition, there are many smaller independent river systems, giving anglers thousands of kilometres of fishable water and an extraordinary range of choices.
Another attraction is the length of the fishing season. Many waters remain open throughout the year, providing opportunities when fisheries elsewhere are closed or conditions make fishing difficult.
Rivers and streams
With no extensive high mountain ranges and a generally temperate climate, most rivers in the region are primarily rain-fed. As a result, some can rise quickly and become discoloured following prolonged or heavy rain. Conditions can also improve relatively quickly once the weather settles.
Fortunately, the region also contains numerous spring-fed rivers and streams. These generally maintain more stable flows and clearer water than the larger rain-fed rivers and can provide excellent fishing when other waters are affected by rainfall.
The diversity of the rivers is one of the great strengths of the region. An angler can spend the morning fishing a small pastoral stream and, within a relatively short drive, be casting into a large wilderness river surrounded by native bush. There are waters suitable for beginners as well as technically demanding fisheries capable of testing even highly experienced fly anglers.
While the Auckland/Waikato region is principally known for rainbow trout, brown trout are also present in a number of waters. Fish numbers can be exceptionally high. Some of the spring creeks of the central Waikato have been recorded as holding very high densities of trout, creating fisheries where anglers may encounter fish throughout the day.
Many rivers are still lightly fished despite supporting excellent trout populations. Fish in the 1–2 lb range are common in many waters, with substantially larger trout present in some rivers and lakes. Under favourable conditions, catches can be impressive, particularly for anglers familiar with the water and the appropriate techniques.
Lakes
Stillwater anglers are equally well catered for. The Waikato River hydro system has created a succession of large lakes, each with its own character and fishing opportunities. These waters offer excellent prospects for anglers trolling, harling, spinning or fly fishing.
There are also a number of smaller lakes, including waters within relatively easy reach of Auckland. These provide an alternative to river fishing and can be particularly valuable during periods when heavy rainfall has affected the larger river systems.
The sheer size of some of the hydro lakes means that they are best approached differently from smaller traditional trout lakes. Locating feeding fish, understanding seasonal movements and identifying productive shorelines, stream mouths and drop-offs can make the difference between an uneventful day and excellent fishing.
Easy Access and Genuine Wilderness
One of the major advantages of fishing this region is accessibility. Many rivers can be reached by road, and access along the banks is often relatively straightforward. This makes the region particularly suitable for anglers who have limited time or who simply want to enjoy a few hours of fishing without undertaking a major expedition.
Yet easy access does not mean an absence of wilderness. Despite containing New Zealand’s largest concentration of population, the wider region still offers surprisingly remote fishing. Anglers prepared to walk away from the obvious access points can find stretches of river where encounters with other fishermen are uncommon.
In the more remote parts of the region, particularly around the central North Island, the character of the fishing changes completely. Large rivers flow through native forest and rugged country, offering the adventurous angler a genuine back-country experience.
Something for Every Angler
Few regions offer such a broad range of trout fishing methods. An angler can troll or harl a lure across one of the hydro lakes, swing a wet fly through a large river, drift a tiny nymph through a crystal-clear spring creek or cast a dry fly to a rising trout on a secluded back-country stream.
Some waters have developed particularly strong reputations. The Waimiha Stream is regarded by many anglers as an outstanding dry-fly water, while the large and beautiful Whakapapa River offers a very different experience. Flowing through spectacular central North Island country, the Whakapapa is one of the region’s major trout rivers and provides opportunities to target some impressive fish.
The quality and variety of the region’s fishing gained international recognition when the 28th FIPS-Mouche World Fly Fishing Championship was held in New Zealand in 2008. Competition river sectors included the Whanganui, Waihou and Ongarue Rivers and the Waimakariri Stream, demonstrating the range of waters available within the wider region.
For anglers willing to explore, there are many lesser-known streams and tributaries that receive relatively little fishing pressure. Some may contain predominantly modest-sized trout, but compensate with good numbers of fish, attractive surroundings and the opportunity to enjoy long stretches of water without seeing another angler.
That is perhaps the greatest attraction of the Auckland/Waikato region. Within a few hours of New Zealand’s largest city, an angler can choose between productive spring creeks, broad pastoral rivers, large hydro lakes and remote bush-clad back-country waters.
Whether your preference is trolling a lake, prospecting a riffle with a nymph, presenting a tiny dry fly to a wary trout in clear water or exploring a remote river in search of a trophy fish, the Auckland/Waikato region has water to suit. Its combination of diversity, accessibility, long seasons and surprisingly light fishing pressure makes it one of the most varied trout fishing regions in the country.