Pomahaka River

The Pomahaka is a major tributary of the Clutha River and a famous fishery in its own right. It is a long river, which starts out as a classic high country stream holding some large brown trout and sea salmon.

Fish type, number and size	The Pomahaka holds brown trout and sea salmon (plus perch). In the headwaters, the trout are large (2-3 kg) but few and far between. In the middle and lower reaches, there are smaller fish (0.5-1.5 kg) but more of them. Returning sea salmon average 2-6 kg. Large salmon are also caught in this section
Situation	The Pomahaka River rises south of Roxburgh in the Umbrella Mountains, and winds through 125 km through West Otago farmland before entering the Clutha River below Clydedale.
Maps	Access map by Google
Check conditions	View the MetService weather forecast View the river flow. View the rainfall.
Conservation order	A conservation order, designed to provide for the unimpeded migration of fish, prohibits damming of the Pomohaka River except for stock-water supply purposes. For more details refer to the Otago Regional Council website and the Regional Water Plan.
Upper reaches	In the headwaters, the Pomahaka is a classic high-country stream with steep gorges, deep pools and clear, slightly tea-stained water.
Middle reaches	In the middle reaches, (from Leithen picnic area to Conical Hill) the river flows mainly through flat pastureland The river is easily accessed and flows over a mostly gravel bed.
Lower reaches	In the lower reaches, there is a series of gorges and flats, and the water is darker in colour making it harder to spot the fish.
Recommended lures	Variants of the mayfly at different stages of its life cycle should be tried on all parts of the river. Nymphs: Large weighted nymphs in the headwaters, including Hare’s Ear and Pheasant Tail. In the middle and lower reaches in summer, Willow Grub is a must. Dry flies: Terrestrial type dry flies in the headwaters such as Coch-y Bondhu and Grasshopper: Spinners: Veltic, Toby, or articulated trout
Tributaries	Waipahi River
Regulations (1)
Applicable to	Pomahaka River upstream of the Hukarere Station Bridge on Hukarere Station Road
Region	Otago regulations
Season	1 Oct-30 Apr
Methods	Artificial fly, spinner
Bag limit	1 trout 1 salmon
Size limit (cm)	None
Regulations (2)
Applicable to	Pomahaka River between the Hukarere Station Bridge on Hukarere Station Road and Swans Bridge on Clydevale Road
Region	Otago regulations
Season	1 Oct-30 Apr
Methods	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Bag limit	4 trout 1 salmon
Size limit (cm)	None
Regulations (3)
Applicable to	Pomahaka River downstream of Swans Bridge (Clydevale Road)
Region	Otago regulations
Season	All year
Methods	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Bag limit	4 trout 1 salmon
Size limit (cm)	None

Other fishing waters of the region

Mossburn Country Park