The Motueka Fishery

The Motueka River supports one of New Zealand’s Heavily weighted VT weighted Heavily Motueka highest trout populations.

Green Stonefly nymph nymph Stonefly Green The angling methods permitted are productive with

Recommended Lures Recommended water types to suit everyone. Water quality and clarity River Access

leader is recommended. recommended. is leader are excellent, wading is often safe and low summer

however notoriously difficult to catch and a long fine fine long a and catch to difficult notoriously however flows can facilitate river crossings in middle and upper

that on average are larger than the mainstem. They are are They mainstem. the than larger are average on that reaches. In some areas riparian vegetation limits access

places. The Wangapeka holds good numbers of fish fish of numbers good holds Wangapeka The places. but provides ideal trout habit. Many of the feeder

of structure and bedrock providing cover in numerous numerous in cover providing bedrock and structure of streams also provide good fishing. The Motueka enjoys

number of very clear pools, runs and riffles, with plenty plenty with riffles, and runs pools, clear very of number some of New Zealand’s best weather, offers pleasant

The Wangapeka is a beautiful river made up of a a of up made river beautiful a is Wangapeka The and variable scenery and is less than one hour’s drive

WANGAPEKA RIVER WANGAPEKA from Nelson.

Green caddis nymphs nymphs caddis Green

high flow high

Bigger nymphs – creepers/stoneflies in times of of times in creepers/stoneflies – nymphs Bigger

Recommended Lures Recommended

More walking between pools is necessary. is pools between walking More

Although fish numbers are fewer they tend to be larger. larger. be to tend they fewer are numbers fish Although

and therefore trout numbers tend to be more variable. variable. more be to tend numbers trout therefore and

reaches willow lined. It is prone to flooding & droughts droughts & flooding to prone is It lined. willow reaches

of native, pines, and farmland, with much of the lower lower the of much with farmland, and pines, native, of

This area runs from the Red Hills through a mixture mixture a through Hills Red the from runs area This

WANGAPEKA CONFLUENCE TO SOURCE SOURCE TO CONFLUENCE WANGAPEKA

Parachute Adams #14-18 Adams Parachute The Motueka is a nationally important waterway and

Leafhoppers (willowgrubs in season Dec- March) Dec- season in (willowgrubs Leafhoppers wild brown trout fishery for which it has received

Nymphing – Small insect presentations. insect Small – Nymphing National Water Conservation Order Status.

Recommended Lures Recommended

your success, fish upstream with fine tippets 5-6x. 5-6x. tippets fine with upstream fish success, your

population tends to be high in this section. To improve improve To section. this in high be to tends population

Access is good to and along most of the river. The fish fish The river. the of most along and to good is Access

wide runs with pools often associated with bedrock. bedrock. with associated often pools with runs wide

The river gradient is relatively flat, resulting in long long in resulting flat, relatively is gradient river The Nelson Marlborough Region

pines. pines. 66 Champion Rd, Richmond,

surrounded by a mixture of horticulture, pasture and and pasture horticulture, of mixture a by surrounded P O Box 2173, Stoke, Nelson,

This area is largely willow lined with the river river the with lined willow largely is area This Telephone (03) 544 6382 www.fishandgame.org.nz WOODMAN’S BEND TO WANGAPEKA CONFLUENCE WANGAPEKA TO BEND WOODMAN’S

NELSON / MARLBOROUGH REGION

condition has improved in recent years, with large fish fish large with years, recent in improved has condition

100 – 500 trout (>20cm) per kilometre! Trout size and and size Trout kilometre! per (>20cm) trout 500 – 100 Green Caddis Nymphs #14-12 Nymphs Caddis Green

populations of between between of populations

Small Hare & Copper & Pheasant tails #16-18 tails Pheasant & Copper & Hare Small

Photo: Zane Mirfin Zane Photo:

Wangapeka River indicate indicate River Wangapeka

Recommended Lures Recommended

booklet for angling regulations and bag limits. limits. bag and regulations angling for booklet

River downstream of the the of downstream River

respect their property. property. their respect at all times. Refer to your South Island regulation regulation Island South your to Refer times. all at

years in the Motueka Motueka the in years

of it is at the good will of the landowners – please please – landowners the of will good the at is it of A valid fishing licence is required and must be carried carried be must and required is licence fishing valid A

dives undertaken in recent recent in undertaken dives

angler access is provided in a number of places, much much places, of number a in provided is access angler

Fishing Information Fishing

in New Zealand. Drift Drift Zealand. New in

in spring, autumn and the winter months. Although Although months. winter the and autumn spring, in

highest trout populations populations trout highest

depending on time of year and conditions. Fishes well well Fishes conditions. and year of time on depending should avoid problems. problems. avoid should

river supported one of the the of one supported river

be prepared to walk as fish distribution can be patchy patchy be can distribution fish as walk to prepared be A polite approach enquiring about fishing plans plans fishing about enquiring approach polite A •

late 1980s indicated that the the that indicated 1980s late

tidal water. Generally holds good numbers of fish, but but fish, of numbers good holds Generally water. tidal Do not fish ahead of them. of ahead fish not Do •

brown trout. Surveys in the the in Surveys trout. brown

Contains a mixture of clear pools, runs, riffles and and riffles runs, pools, clear of mixture a Contains Respect other anglers already on the water. the on already anglers other Respect •

contains large numbers of of numbers large contains

Fishing Etiquette Fishing SEA TO WOODMAN’S BEND BEND WOODMAN’S TO SEA

The Motueka River River Motueka The

Respect private land. If in doubt, ask permission. ask doubt, in If land. private Respect •

visible to the angler. angler. the to visible

General Information General

along fence lines where possible. where lines fence along

feeding on passion vine hoppers and are often more more often are and hoppers vine passion on feeding

Motueka River Motueka Walk crops. trampling or stock disturbing Avoid •

in October & November. After Christmas, fish start start fish Christmas, After November. & October in

Do not stray into paddocks with stock. with paddocks into stray not Do •

productive, as can streamer fishing for sea run trout trout run sea for fishing streamer can as productive,

Stay within river margins. river within Stay •

18’s). Early morning and evening fishing can be be can fishing evening and morning Early 18’s). another 48 hours before using in another waterway. another in using before hours 48 another

Leave gates as you find them. find you as gates Leave •

difficult to spot - feeding on sandy cased caddis (#16- caddis cased sandy on feeding - spot to difficult

the item to the touch and then leave for at least least at for leave then and touch the to item the

Do not litter. not Do •

Early in the season, trout are often quite deep and and deep quite often are trout season, the in Early

If cleaning is not practical (eg: animals) dry dry animals) (eg: practical not is cleaning If DRY

Park vehicles away from tracks and gates. and tracks from away vehicles Park •

catch at times. times. at catch

(two large cups) with water to make 10 litres. 10 make to water with cups) large (two below.

of trout, distribution can be patchy and fish difficult to to difficult fish and patchy be can distribution trout, of

A 2% solution is 200ml, a 5% solution is 500ml 500ml is solution 5% a 200ml, is solution 2% A goodwill of landowners by following the simple rules rules simple the following by landowners of goodwill

average fish size is approx 2-3lb. Despite high numbers numbers high Despite 2-3lb. approx is size fish average

5% solution of dishwashing detergent dishwashing of solution 5% • Please ensure your behaviour doesn’t jeopardise the the jeopardise doesn’t behaviour your ensure Please

(6-10+ lb) present throughout the system, although although system, the throughout present lb) (6-10+

5% solution of antiseptic hand cleaner hand antiseptic of solution 5% • Access Rules Rules Access

5% solution of nappy cleaner nappy of solution 5% •

Photo: Zane Mirfin Zane Photo:

5% solution of salt of solution 5% • Rules below to ensure the continued use of these areas. areas. these of use continued the ensure to below Rules

2% solution of household bleach household of solution 2% • Please respect private property and abide by the Access Access the by abide and property private respect Please

Hot (60ºC) water (60ºC) Hot • first (check the description details on the map). the on details description the (check first

minute with any of the following: the of any with minute however in some locations you need to ask permission permission ask to need you locations some in however

to access the river without having to ask permission, permission, ask to having without river the access to Soak or scrub all items for at least one one least at for items all scrub or Soak CLEAN

many tributaries. In most of these locations you are free free are you locations these of most In tributaries. many

clumps at the waterway. the at clumps

along the Motueka River and and River Motueka the along

hidden clumps when leaving waterways. Leave the the Leave waterways. leaving when clumps hidden

provided at various locations locations various at provided

that have been in contact with the water and look for for look and water the with contact in been have that

and associated signs have been been have signs associated and

Remove all obvious clumps from all items items all from clumps obvious all Remove

CHECK Fish and Game Access Points Points Access Game and Fish

Help stop the spread of didymo, an aquatic alga pest. alga aquatic an didymo, of spread the stop Help

Access

PROTECT OUR WATERS OUR PROTECT Fish & Game NZ Game & Fish MOTUEKA RIVER ACCESS POINTS 1. SH 60 Bridge Vehicle access on west bank up and down stream on the true left side of river. Foot access and stile at upstream site. 2. West Bank Road “Gum Tree Corner” Approximately 5km from SH 60 off West Bank Road true left side of river. 3. West Bank Road Anglers seeking access to the Follow West Bank Road upstream 0.3km from Gum Tree Corner. Motueka River and tributaries other 4. Whakarewa Street Motueka than areas identified in this pamphlet Vehicle access to road end gate with foot access up and down true right of river. will need to gain landowners’ 5. Motueka Valley Highway/College Street/Woodmans Bend permission first. Vehicle access off Motueka Valley Highway through gate over stop bank and park. Foot access Those who make this effort are rarely up and down river. Take care when driving in or out of access lane for traffic on highway. refused and often gain easy access 6. Hurley Road to less fished and productive waters. Vehicle access off Motueka Valley Highway and follow gravel road through gate over stop bank to parking area. Foot access up and down river. 7. West Bank Road 7.7 km upstream from Gum Tree Corner. Park at Annes Picnic Area below Rocky River Bridge. Follow track to river or downstream access over stile. 8. Alexander Bluff Bridge Best foot access via West Bank Road from car park below bridge on true left of river. 4WD access downstream of bridge off Motueka Valley Highway. 9. West Bank Road Approximately 3.0km upstream of Alexander Bridge at Herring Stream confluence. Follow walking track markers to river. 10. Bluff off Motueka Valley Highway 4.0km upstream from Alexander Bridge on true right of river. Upstream access over stile at car park. Follow road verge to stile over fence for downstream access. 11. West Bank Road Approximately 2km upstream from Herring Stream bridge. 12. Peninsula Bridge Best parking at TDC Reserve true left upstream of bridge off Peninsula Road, through gate beside Bowling Club.. 13. Motueka Valley Highway 1.8km upstream from Peninsula Bridge. Park at gate and follow track to river. 14. Motueka Valley Highway 1.5km upstream from access 14. Vehicle access through double gates to river. 15. West Bank Road/Graham Stream Vehicle access to river through picnic area below Graham Stream Bridge. 16. Motueka Valley Highway Opposite Pearse River confluence. Park through gate. 17. West Bank Road/Pearse River Park at Pearse River Bridge. 18. West Bank Road Approximately 1km upstream from Pearse River bridge. Vehicle access to river. 19. Woodstock Bridge Parking and foot access from both west and east bank of bridge. 20. Motueka Valley Highway 2.5 km upstream from Woodstock Bridge opposite Baton River confluence. Vehicle access to river. 21. Motueka Valley Highway/Macleans Reserve Vehicle access along gravel track through picnic and campground area. 22. Motueka Valley Highway/Stanley Brook Follow vehicle track. Short walk to river immediately below Stanley Brook confluence. 23. Wangapeka River Confluence Vehicle access via Tapawera along Tapawera Baton Road. Turn right on onto Pikimai Road. Parking and walking track to Motueka River. 24. Tapawera –Baton Road 6km downstream from Tapawera Road Bridge. Park at sign. 25. Tapawera Bridge off SH61 Vehicle access to river on true right downstream of bridge. 26. State Highway 6/Kohatu Bridge Vehicle access to Motupiko confluence and access to true left of Motueka. 27. North Road Bridge Take North Road at junction of State Highway 6 and Valley Road. Park at bridge. 28. Valley Road Downstream from Golden Downs Gun Club on true right. Follow track and park. Foot access approximately 500 m to river. 29. Valley Road/Gordon Creek Bridge Park 200m upstream of bridge and follow track 200m to river. 30. Valley Road/Kerrs Hill Road (Janson Bridge) Park downstream side on east bank of bridge true right of river. 31. Kerrs Hill Road/Motueka Gorge Turn left after crossing Janson Bridge (Blue Glen Road) and follow gravel track to Motueka Gorge at end of road.

MOTUPIKO RIVER 1. State Highway 6/Quinneys Bush Turn into campground at Motupiko and park near river. 2. State Highway 6 (Long Gully) Vehicle access down gravel road to river. 3. Korere Tophouse Road Bridge Park on east side downstream on true right of river. 4. Korere Tophouse Road 4 km upstream from Korere Bridge. Park on left side of road away from gates. Foot access through private property. 5. Rainy River Road Bridge Park on west bank true left upstream side of bridge.

WANGAPEKA RIVER 1. (see #23 above) 2. Tapawera Baton Road 1.5km upstream from Pikimai Road turnoff. Parking area true right side of river. – keep clear of gateway 3. Tapawera Baton Road Drive through gate and park at TDC water gauge. Foot access up and downstream. 4. Tapawera Baton Road 1km upstream from Cylinder Bridge. Park off road at sign. Foot access to river. 5. End of Wangapeka Plain Road 4 km upstream from Cylinder Bridge. Access permission required 522-4208 or house 200m upstream from access sign. 6. Jones Road From Upper Wangapeka Road follow Jones Road and park by access sign. Walk 200 m to river. 7. Upper Wangapeka Road Park at access sign 3 km downstream from Dart Stream Ford. Cross road and walk to river. 8. Upper Wangapeka Road 1.6 km downstream from Dart Ford. Park off road and walking access over stile through private property to river. 9. Upper Wangapeka Road 1.3 km from number 8. Walking access over stile through private property. 10. Dart Ford Upper Wangapeka Road Access from downstream Dart River to Wangapeka River. Fish upstream from true left bank. Access out after crossing river above farmhouse and follow Wangapeka Road to Dart Ford. Wangapeka Road above Farmhouse – Legal access from signs (as below) or where road is adjacent to river. Take care to avoid parking which may impede traffic. 11. Upper Wangapeka Road 7.6 km upstream from Dart Ford. Park at access sign and walk through gate to river. 12. Upper Wangapeka Road 2.0 km above number 11. Turn off road and follow track to stile and park. 13. Upper Wangapeka Road Access anywhere from Price’s Creek confluence (enters on true right) upstream.