Hi All
Here's hoping I can get some help.

I've got a (very) brief trip to the Warkworth area of the North Island next March and I'll be desperate to slink away from the kids for an afternoon or two. I've been trying to find out about fishing opportunities in the area but nothing comes up. I've contacted the two hunting/ fishing outfitters in the area but they seem heavily bias towards hunting/ sea fishing and couldn't help. There is a lake (Tomarata) that is a recognised fishery but I'd prefer a river. The NZ gov web site gives nothing locally, but I know from past experience there are massive opportunities that are not listed in published info.

The River Hoteo that runs very close to Warkworth. Can anyone shed any light on what this might be like?

Regards

Gaunty.

Hi Gaunty, I have good news and some bad news for you! The bad news is that Northland has the least amount of river trout fishing available in NZ. However of all the places in Northland Warkworth is the worst for close by river fishing! It does have some good lake fishing and some fantastic salt water fly.
The good news is there is still plenty of fishing available but it may require a long drive, just follow this link to the fish and game site Northland Fishing
Another site with some great info on a river by river basis is this one
Northland fishing map-Trout fishing map-Northland region-nzfishing
I can not help you with actual first hand experiance up north as I have only ever salt water fished up that way.
Hope this helps.
All the best.
Mike

Cheers Mike
I'm visiting my brother and it seems he's moved to the only place in the country that doesn't have great trout fishing!

I had a look at the Fish and Game website before. He's actually in the Auckland area, but the Wairua in Northland looks good if a bit of a drive.

Would this be my best bet or am I better off driving south of Auckland?

I'm only there for about 6 days and will only be able to escape for perhaps one full day or a couple of afternoons.

Regards
Gaunty

Hi gaunty, the wairua is a lovely stretch of water, but the fishing is better in the Waikato area, if you can get a full day and are up for a bit of a drive, you could head to Auckland (about a 1 hour drive), then meet up with me and we could head down to the Waikato area, (anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hour drive depending where we went) It would make for a big day but it is do-able!
All the best.
Mike

Lake Taupo is great fishing, dont no how far it is from where u are

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Cheers for the offer Mike, will know more nearer the time but that might be a trip too far to get signed off by the CEO .

The Poroti/ Maungatapere/ Titoki area might have to suffice since it looks like they would be the easiest to get to.- well on Google Earth anyway!

Taupo is a long drive and is not do-able.

Ta

Paul

Hi Mike
A quick question in regards to equipment. I've got three rods, 7ft #3/4, 9ft #5, and a 9ft #7/8. If i were to fish the Wairua or the lake Tomarata would I be looking at bringing the smaller two? Also, would i need waders?

Ta
Paul

Hi,

I would just take the 9 foot 5 weight. That is my go to rod for NZ. Should still be warm enough to wet wade.

Mike's advice is spot on though. You would be best try try South of Auckland rather than North if wanting some decent trout fishing.

I would be more inclined to take the 8wt and fish for kahawai in that part of the country. A great fly rod species and plenty of fish on that coast.

Cheers
Mat

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Hi Paul, the 3/4 will be perfect for the streams up North, the #5 is perfect for most of the rest of NZ including Lake Tomarata, the 7/8 would be good if you do want to have a go for Kahawai or Snapper in the Salt. There is some fantastic Salt Water Fly fishing in the Warkworth area, Including Leigh Harbour, Omaha harbour, Sandspit and Takatu Point. I can also recomend the Goat Island marine reserve for anyone in the family who likes snorkeling, you will see many big Snapper, Blue Mau Mau and other fish if you swim here.
There are quite a few charter boats that go from Leigh or Sandspit, including at least one (I will try to remember his name for you) from Sandspit that does a fair bit of SWF. March is a great time of year down here, you will not need waders, wet wading in a pair of shorts over some poly long johns will be fine. The long Johns will offer some protection from both the sun and any sandflies you encounter.
All the best.
Mike
Here you go, the Sandspit boats website is here http://www.sandspitfishing.co.nz/
Nick is a young skipper but he is a very good fly fisherman.

Excellent.

Cheers Mike.