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Kaniere River

 

The Kaniere River is a good spin fishing river as it flows through bush lined valleys. It has a small to moderate number of fish.

Fish type Brown trout with some salmon runs possible in Jan to April.
Situation Approximately 10kms from Hokitika
Setting The Kaniere River drains Lake Kaniere and flows west to join the Hokitika River just upstream from Hokitika township. It has a tea stained water and for much of its length flows through a bush-lined valley that makes access difficult in many places. There is a power station approximately half way along its course.
Maps

Access map
Check conditions View the MetService weather forecast
Description The Kaniere is a small river and best suited to spin fishing as it runs through a heavily bush lined valley. It is not easy to cast a fly in much of the river as a consequence. The best fishing is below the power station.
Fish numbers and size Fish numbers are not high and average around the 2-3lb mark
Ease of fishing A reasonably good river for spin fishing in the lower section but the vegetation above the power station can make for frustrating fly fishing.
Access

Access is via Lake Kaniere Rd. A track runs along the river above the powerstation for those who wish to explore this section. See the Kaniere River access map.
Recommended lures

Nymphs: Small unweighted nymphs such as Pheasant Tail variants and Hares Ear, Hare and Copper in darker patterns.

Dry flies: Cicada patterns are very effective from late summer and beetle patterns work well in early summer. Otherwise use small flies of the Greenwell's Glory or March Brown type.

Wet flies: Small wets work well especially in the evening rise or down and across the rapids during the day. Or try flies such as a woolly Bugger.

Spinners: Small bladed spinners (Mepps or Veltic).
Regulations
Applicable to Kaniere River
Region West Coast
Season

Trout: All year

Salmon: 1 Oct-30 Apr
Methods Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Bag limit Total sportsfish: 2
Size limit (cm) No limit

Other fishing waters of the region



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