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Whakapara River

The Whakapara River provides good small stream fishing for a reasonable population of small rainbow trout.
Fish type Rainbow trout in reasonable numbers averaging under 1 kg
Situation The Whakapara river rises in the hills north of Whangarei and flows north west to enter the Waiotu River
Maps

Access map.
Check conditions View the MetService weather forecast. 
Description The Whakapara is a small stream flowing over both open farmland and stands of native bush. It flows mostly over a stone and gravel bed and provides good small stream of fishing for a reasonable population of rainbow trout. This is good dry fly and nymph water.
Access

Approximately 5 km north of the settlement of Hikurangi, State Highway 1 crosses the Whakapara River. Park here for good access both upstream for a few kilometres and downstream for about 6 km to the confluence with the Waiotu River. See the Whakapara River access map.
Recommended tackle Due to the small size of the river, angler should use as light tackle as possible. Rods capable of casting weights 3 to 4 line are recommended. Those wishing to use a spinner
would be well advised to also use very light tackle capable of casting lures no heavier than 7 g and on 2 kg lines.
Recommended lures

Nymphs:
In the upper and middle reaches lightly weighted stoneflies and mayfly patterns such as Pheasants Tail, Halfback and Hare and Copper in sizes 14 to 18.

Dry flies: Popular patterns include Royal Wulff, Adams, Blue Dun, Coch-y-Bondu, Green Beetle (during the early summer) and cicada and cricket patterns late in the summer.

Wet flies:
Day time: Small bully patterns such as Hamills' Killer and, Mrs Simpson

Evening rise: Small wee-wets such as March Brown, Red Governor and Hardys Favourite and sizes 12 to 14 during the evening rise when fish are often taking emerging insects just subsurface.

Night time: Black Phantom, Scotch Poacher

Spinners: Small bladed spinners such as Veltic or Mepps, in brighter colours such as gold and red, during the day.
Tributaries

Tributaries of the Whakapapa include the Kaimamaku Stream and the Kaikanui River.
Regulations
Applicable to Whakapara  River
Region Northland regulations
Season Oct 1-Apr 30
Methods Artificial fly, spinner.
Bag limit Trout: 2
Size limit (cm) Trout: 300mm minimum

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