Access map

View the rainfall and river level.

The Arnold has a tea-stained water and runs strongly over a gravel and stone bed. For most of its 25km length the banks have a covering of native bush or willows though there are also good open stretches. The river is a mixture of deep and powerful glides, deep pools and enticing riffles.

A lot of fishing on the Arnold needs to be done from the bank because of the depth of water, its power and the very slippery stones over which it runs. There are many areas where anglers can wade however though the dense bank-side vegetation can be restrictive in places when moving form one spot to the next. The river is usually fishable and seldom colours up. Its population of trout make it a good river for all skill levels. It is  both a  good spin and fly water.

Nymphs:
Small nymphs such as Hare and Copper, Pheasant Tails and Caddis imitations all work well in sizes 12 - 14 work well. As the water tends to be coloured, use darker coloured flies and use enough weight to get them down near the bottom of the river.

Dry flies:
Small flies such as Hardies Favourite, Dad's Favourite, Royal Wulff and March Brown all work well at all times of the day. Fish bushier flies over the faster water as these can often induce a fish to rise.

Wet flies:
Small wets such as Greenwell's Glory, Twilight Beauty and March Brown work well when fished sub-surface. These flies are good when fishing the evening rise and seem particularly attractive to the rainbow population.

Spinners: Small bladed spinners (Mepps or Veltic) or Toby or similar patterns fished through the deep pools and drawn as close to the bankside vegetation works well in this
river.