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Poerua River (North)

The Poerua River is a small river offering the angler the chance to fish for a reasonable number of brown trout.
Fish type Brown trout
Situation 10kms from Moana on Lake Brunner
Setting The Poerua River is a small river that drains Lake Poerua and crosses open land before joining the Crooked River about 8kms from where it enters Lake Brunner. The true left bank is lined with native bush but the true right bank is open farmland with willow lined banks.
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Description The Poerua River has a tea colour to its water and with the brown stone and shingle river bed, trout are very difficult to spot. It is an attractive river to fish however and it holds a reasonable number of brown trout though mostly in smaller sizes. There can be an excellent evening rise in the summer months. It is wadeable but can get very slippery in the warmer months. It fishes best late or early in the season.
Fish numbers and size Low to moderate numbers of fish in the 2-3lb range.
Ease of fishing This is an easy river to fish as it flows mostly over open farmland.
Access Access is via Hodgkinson Rd which leads of from the Inchbonnie - Rotomanu Road or via Station Rd (turn-off at Rotomanu).
Recommended lures Nymphs: Small nymphs such as Hare and Copper, Pheasant Tails and Caddis imitations all work well in sizes 14 or smaller.

Dry flies: Small flies such as Royal Wulff, Hardies Favourite, Dad's Favourite and March Brown all work well at all times of the day. In the more boisterous water use large visible palmered flies, especially in the hotter months when the river is low and very clear.

Wet flies: Small wets like Greenwell's Glory, March Brown and sedge emerger patterns work well when fished sub-surface. These flies are particularly effective when fishing the evening rise.

Spinners: Small bladed spinners (Mepps or Veltic) fished upstream into the faster water or through the deeper pools are best for this small river.
Regulations
Applicable to Poerua River (North)
Region West Coast
Season Trout: 1 Oct-30 Apr
Salmon: 1 Oct-30 Apr
Methods Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Bag limit Total sports fish: 2
Size limit (cm) No limit

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