The Hurunui is around 130km north of Christchurch. It passes through the town of Hurunui on the south side of Balmoral Forest.

Upper Hurunui access map

Lower Hurunui access map

View the rainfall.

View the river flow.

The Hurunui generally becomes fishable once it drops below 35 cumecs, though trout anglers fishing in the upper reaches like to see it at 25 cumecs or less to allow better access along the banks.

Description

A location popular with fit anglers with a full day's fishing available. The river is moderate in size, clear, shingly and flood-prone. On a bright day, the trout can be spotted and stalked; but they are easily spooked and will go into hiding for at least a day. The river can be waded and crossed safely in normal conditions. Note that a north west wind often blows strongly downstream.

Fish numbers and size

Some good-sized brown trout in a good population of fish.

Access

Off Lake Sumner Road, there is a 4WD track to the North Branch above Lake Sumner whch ends at a swing bridge. Note that you need to contact the Christchurch office of DOC for the combination of a gate lock to proceed past Loch Katrine. See the upper Hurunui access map.

Description

Below Lake Sumner, the North Branch of the Hurunui is large and clear; it remains clear after a fresh. The upper reaches and tributaries are best fished when the river is low. The river flows over a rock and gravel bed, and the shoreline is mostly stony. The pools are deep and the runs expansive. The river here is not easy to fish as its dangerous to cross and tricky to wade. Long casts are required, mostly fishing blind. The prevailing north westerly wind blows downstream.

You can catch trout anywhere down to the gorge above the Mandamus confluence. The 10km downstream from Lake Sumner to above Maori Gorge (where the road first comes near the river) is one of the most productive reaches of trout fishing in New Zealand. There's a full day's fishing to be had in this stretch of water. Blind fishing the big pocket water of the North Branch below Lake Sumner is particularly effective.

Immediately above the confluence with the Mandamus, the Hurunui runs through a gorge whoch is practically unfishable due to the steep banks which make access very difficult.

Fish numbers and size

Excellent stock year-round, up to 3.5kg. More than 50 large fish per km.

Access

Access is off Lake Sumner Road which skirts the river for part of its length. From the Sisters Stream footbridge to Lake Sumner there is foot access only. You can walk down to the river’s edge at Surveyors Stream, where the road leaves the river.

See the upper Hurunui access map.

Description

The South Branch offers good fishing upstream of the confluence with the North Branch but access through and above the gorge reaches is difficult. It is are best fished when the river is low. The South Branch is smaller and less stable than the North Branch and discolours after rain. The trout become wary in response to heavy angling pressure so fishing early in the season is recommended.

Fish numbers and size

High upstream near the Stony Hut there are 6 km of water holding a few good-sized fish. Please catch and release.

Access

There is access by foot from the confluence with the North Branch. All other access is through Esk Head Station and requires permission from the landowner. See the upper Hurunui access map.

Salmon

This large, shingly and braided part of the river can be dirty and is most suited to spinning for salmon. The salmon season is mid January to mid March.

The best times to fish are as soon as the river clears after a fresh, when salmon run upriver. Look for deep water locations with a slow current. Salmon also congregate where the river flows into rocky outcrops or bluffs.

Trout

Populations of brown trout are present all year round, mainly in in deep holes and gorges. Look for pools with large rocks which provide cover for feeding trout. Early in the season some good browns can be caught under the willows. A run of sea-run fish in December can offer good sport.

Access

The Balmoral Bridge on SH7 provides the easiest access to both sides of the river. The lower reaches are accessed from roads leading off State Highway 1.

See the lower Hurunui access map.

At the mouth

The best fishing tends to be in the surf when the river is low and salmon are congregating outside the mouth waiting for a flood before running the river. Wind and tides affect which side is best to surf cast from, but if in doubt head for the south side.

The best times to fish are generally on a low tide or early stages of the incoming tide. The first hour of daylight is great fishing on any tide.

The mouth gut

The river mouth gut is popular immediately after a fresh when the salmon tend to run into the river. The best time is during the top half of the incoming tide.

Tide tables

See the tide tables for Lyttleton at the LINZ website.

Fish numbers and size:

Very good numbers in season.

Access

Access to the mouth is from side roads off State Highway 1.

Spin fishing is the most effective, though fly fishing is also popular.

At the river mouth: Use a medium-fast action rod of 2-2.5m in length, coupled with a fixed or free spool reel capable of holding 200m of 8-10kg line.

Up river: Lighter tackle such as a rod and reel with around 6-7kg line is recommended, with zed spinners of 10-22 grams fished right on the bottom. Target places where the current is slow and the water deep.

Fly fishing: Try streamer flies fished on sinking lines through the tails of pools or through slow flowing reaches.

Catch and release

Above Lake Sumner and in the South Branch (where there are fewer fish), please catch and release where possible.

Spinning

Cast into calm water at the top of pools using good-sinking spinners such as the Tasmanian Devil or Toby.

Fly fishing

To avoid spooking the trout, approach carefully, standing well back from the bank and spot them before casting. Use nymphs or large attractor dry flies fished upstream on a floating line

Dry flies: Well-hackled large attractor dry flies such as a stimulator

Spinners: Tasmanian Devil or Toby.

Spinners: Tasmanian Devil or Toby.

Two sections of the Hurunui River are classified as Backcountry Fisheriers. They are:

• Upstream of grid reference BU22 3088 7229 (500m upstream of Lake Sumner, marked with sign)
• The South Branch upstream of Esk River confluence.

To fish either of these sections requires anglers to have a full years licence and to obtain a backcountry licence.

Max 40cm

Maximum 40 cm

Salmon: 0

Salmon: 1 Oct - 30 April

Max 40cm

Max 40cm