Access map

Rainfall

View graphs of recent rainfall.

View the MetService weather forecast.

During the winter, many trout head up the Poutu to spawn and those few anglers that fish it can be very successful. There is an anglers right-of-way from the Tongariro River to the SH1 bridge, but most prefer to wade and fish as they go. The stream bed is very rocky and slippery so care is required.

The banks tend to be lined with scrub and bracken making access to much of the water very difficult. The dense vegetation and narrowness of the river can also make for difficulty in casting though it is a river where only short casts are generally required.

This is a good river to fish when the Tongariro is either crowded with a number of fishermen or the Tongariro water is dirty due to rainfall, as the Poutu seldom floods.

Travelling south on SH1 and about 300 metres before the Poutu Stream bridge, follow the signpost to the Dreadnought Pool. Soon after you join the Poutu Loop Track, a footbridge crosses the Poutu Stream.

Alternatively, you can wade up the stream from the Poutu Pool on the Tongariro as far as the SH1 bridge.

Above the bridge is private property and access is prohibited.

See the Poutu River access map.

The Poutu Stream is best suited to nymphing though there can be some dry fly fishing in the warmer months. Some pools can be worth exploring with a wet fly.

Nymphs: During the spawning season, use Glo-bugs or small (12 - 14) weighted nymphs in the Halfback,Hare and Copper, and Pheasant Tail patterns.

Dry flies: During the summer use beetle patterns or Cicada or Cricket patterns as there are always a few good resident trout present who relish these large terrestrials.

Wet flies: Woolly Buggers and Red Setters