This scenic river offers great fishing for the angler who likes to cast to sighted fish on a small river. Despite the small size of the river it holds a good population of big fish but catch and release is highly recommended.

Access map

View the river flow:
- Riwaka North Branch at Littles
- Riwaka South Branch at Hickmotts

View the rainfall:
- Riwaka North Branch at Littles
- Riwaka South Branch at Moss Bush

Weather forecast

View the MetService weather forecast

This scenic river offers great fishing for the angler who likes to cast to sighted fish. In the last few kilometres before it enters the sea, the river has a number of deep glides and pools that hold good numbers of fish. This section is usually fished blind.

The middle and upper reaches however flow over a stone and gravel bed, often through overhanging trees providing ideal trout habitat. Fish can be spotted in the clear water and will take small dry flies and nymphs.

The Takaka - Motueka road crosses the Riwaka just north of Motueka and from there the Riwaka Valley road leads of to the left which follows the river for several kilometres.

Access needs to be sought to cross farmland in many places though this is usually readily given. See the access map.

Nymphs:
Small Hare and Copper, Pheasants Tails variants and any small shaggy nymph in small sizes (size 16 preferred) work well. Some weight may be required in the deeper and faster sections.

Dry flies:
Small winged patterns such as Greenwell's Glory, March Brown or Adams are all effective. Green Beetles are effective in early summer and Cicada patterns from late summer are very effective.

Wet flies:
Small wet flies such as March Brown, Greenwell's Glory or sedge emerger patterns work well throughout the days when fished under the ample vegetation and are particularly effective in the evening rise.

Spinners: Small bladed spinners such as Veltic
or Mepps.