HomeWest CoastWest Coast: Where to fishLarry’s Creek

Larry's Creek

 

Larry's Creek (also known as the Awarau) is a scenic river with a honey coloured water that holds a good head of fish with some reaching impressive sizes. A popular water for anglers.

Fish type Brown trout
Situation The lower reaches are approximately 15kms from Reefton and 18 kms from the township of Inangahua.
Setting Larry's Creek or the Awarau rises in the Victoria range. It flows mostly through bush in the upper reaches but the lower reaches flow over accessible open farmland.
Maps

Access map

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Description This is a wonderful small river to fish (it is sometimes called Larry's Creek but don't be fooled. It is a big river in places and can be challenging to cross at most times of the season). The upper reaches require the angler to walk some distance but the deep pools in this section hold good numbers of large fish.

The middle and lower reaches run reasonably close to roads to provide reasonable access. Once a short way up the track it is usually necessary to bash through some bush to get to the river. Once there however, the banks are generally reasonably open and you can move up or downstream. You may need to cross at times though and this can be difficult if the water is high.

The river runs over a gravel, and stone bed and has a mixture of fast water and pools (some deep). The golden stones give the water a honey coloured hue and this can make the fish difficult to spot. This stream is best fished either late or early in the season as it can become quite low during the warm dry months. Wind at times can also be a problem as it funnels down the valley. The river is much smaller above the old Caledonian Mine though for those who like to fish real wilderness waters, there can be excellent fishing in these upper reaches.

Fish numbers and size Reasonable numbers with some large fish though most in the 3 - 6lb range. Larger fish can be caught however particularly early in the season.
Ease of fishing The lower reaches are easy to fish with either a spinner or fly. The upper reaches are moderately difficult as they require some walking.
Access Access to the lower reaches is via SH 69 which crosses Larry's Creek about 500 meters from its confluence with the Inangahua. A forestry road provides access up the true right bank. See the Larry's Creek access map.
Recommended lures

Nymphs: Small Hare and Copper, Pheasants Tail variants and any small straggly looking nymph in small sizes (size 16 or even 18 preferred) work well. Some weight may be required in the deeper and faster sections.

Dry flies: Small winged patterns or Adams are effective as trout are prepared to rise on this river. Green Beetles are effective in early summer and Cicada patterns from late summer are very effective. Use bushy flies in the faster water.

Wet flies: Small wet flies such as March Brown or sedge emerger patterns work well throughout the days and are particularly effective in the evening rise.

Spinners: Small bladed spinners such as Veltic or Mepps fished through the deep pools (allow to sink for the best results) or upstream into the faster water.

Regulations
Applicable to Larrys Creek
Region West Coast
Season

Trout: 1 Oct-30 Apr

Salmon: 1 Oct-30 Apr

Methods Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Bag limit Total: 2
Size limit (cm) No limit

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