Access map

The Pohangina river is a major tributary of the Manawatu river and provides many kilometres of fishable water. In the upper reaches it is small and less accessible though there are good tracks along much of its length. The area can get quite windy at times making fishing challenging. Generally fish can be spotted in the clear water.

The river flows over a gravel or hard rock bed between open farmland in the lower sections and through native bush in the upper reaches. Many sections have willow trees lining the banks which are favourite places for the fish especially during the summer months.

The river is a series of deep pools, long runs and riffles. It is relatively stable though can also rise very quickly in heavy rain. It clears quickly however, particularly in the upper reaches where the river mostly flows through native bush.

The middle and lower reaches are more braided and the best fishing is where the river flows through the deeper stable pools.

Nymphs: In the upper reaches weighted stoneflies and mayfly patterns such as Pheasant Tail and caddis patterns, and Hare and Copper in the lower reaches. In late summer it is worth having a small willow grub pattern when fishing along the lines of willows in the middle and lower reaches.

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

Wet flies: In the lower reaches use smaller wet flies such as an Invicta, March Brown, Red Governor and Hardies Favourite.

Spinners: Black and gold Toby's in the wider lower reaches and small bladed spinners such as Mepps or Veltic in the rapids and pools in the middle and upper reaches.