Wellington Region Wellington

your left. This sign marks the turn off onto a track that runs about about runs that track a onto off turn the marks sign This left. your Photo: AndrewHarding website Game & Fish Wellington

Road for 3.3km until you see a Fish & Game ‘Angler Access’ sign on on sign Access’ ‘Angler Game & Fish a see you until 3.3km for Road the from map detailed more a get to this Scan

Road (this is sign posted as “Kahutara Canoes”). Follow Pahuatea Pahuatea Follow Canoes”). “Kahutara as posted sign is (this Road

When travelling south along Kahutara Road, turn left onto Pahuatea Pahuatea onto left turn Road, Kahutara along south travelling When

13) Pahautea Road Access Road Pahautea 13)

ACCESS POINTS ACCESS

www.fishandgame.org.nz fishing is an excellent way to catch fish here. fish catch to way excellent an is fishing

Telephone: 06 359 0409 359 06 Telephone: fishing in our region is found here with fish up to 2kg caught. Bait Bait caught. 2kg to up fish with here found is region our in fishing

Palmerston North Palmerston

when sea run brown trout move into the river. Some of the best perch perch best the of Some river. the into move trout brown run sea when

P O Box 1325 Box O P Below the Tuhitarata Bridge trolling is popular, especially in autumn autumn in especially popular, is trolling Bridge Tuhitarata the Below

LOWER RUAMAHANGA RIVER RUAMAHANGA LOWER

on Regi gton in ll We

fish the next 1km of river on the true right side of the riverbed. the of side right true the on river of 1km next the fish

from the Martinborough Bridge you require landowner permission to to permission landowner require you Bridge Martinborough the from

Summer evening rises are well worth travelling for. 7km downstream downstream 7km for. travelling worth well are rises evening Summer

cross in winter. During summer, expect to get wet when crossing. crossing. when wet get to expect summer, During winter. in cross

(true right) side of the riverbed. The river down here is difficult to to difficult is here down river The riverbed. the of side right) (true

n n wester the on river of 250m next the fish to permission landowner

5.25km downstream from the Martinborough Bridge you require require you Bridge Martinborough the from downstream 5.25km

point provides excellent parking on the gravel beach next to the river. river. the to next beach gravel the on parking excellent provides point

from Featherston, or just 2km’s out of Martinborough. This access access This Martinborough. of out 2km’s just or Featherston, from

travelling along SH53 to Martinborough from Featherston. It is 15km 15km is It Featherston. from Martinborough to SH53 along travelling

channel to reach the Ruamahanga River. Ruamahanga the reach to channel

The Martinborough Bridge is the last bridge you go over when when over go you bridge last the is Bridge Martinborough The

the barrage gates you can walk downstream on the eastern side of the the of side eastern the on downstream walk can you gates barrage the

12) Martinborough Bridge Martinborough 12)

400m past the boat club are the Geoffrey Blundell barrage gates. From From gates. barrage Blundell Geoffrey the are club boat the past 400m

wishing to try their luck at trolling. at luck their try to wishing and down stream. down and

for camping. This site has the best boat launching facilities for those those for facilities launching boat best the has site This camping. for eam eam upstr both available is fishing spin and fly Excellent tranquillity!

park. Here you will find a toilet block, running water, and ample room room ample and water, running block, toilet a find will you Here park. picnickers. This should be considered when looking for peace and and peace for looking when considered be should This picnickers.

this road for 7.6km. Turn left into the reserve and drive 200m to the car car the to 200m drive and reserve the into left Turn 7.6km. for road this Bush is very popular in the summer months with campers and family family and campers with months summer the in popular very is Bush

Tuhitarata Bridge on the right is the East West Access Road, follow follow Road, Access West East the is right the on Bridge Tuhitarata the first house on the left, 400m down Glenmorvan road. Morrison’s Morrison’s road. Glenmorvan down 400m left, the on house first the

When travelling south along Kahutara Road, 500m before the the before 500m Road, Kahutara along south travelling When can be contacted on 025-570 616, or drop into his home which is is which home his into drop or 616, 025-570 on contacted be can

Gates camp must be obtained first. Mr Bryan Tucker is the landowner and and landowner the is Tucker Bryan Mr first. obtained be must camp

Bush Picnic and Camping area is on private property; permission to to permission property; private on is area Camping and Picnic Bush 15) Ruamahanga River Boat Club / Barrage Barrage / Club Boat River Ruamahanga 15)

road that you can follow (3.5km) directly to the river. The Morrison’s Morrison’s The river. the to directly (3.5km) follow can you that road

Travel for 6km and turn left into Glenmorvan road. This is a gravel gravel a is This road. Glenmorvan into left turn and 6km for Travel closed and do not disturb the stock. the disturb not do and closed

At the southern end of Greytown turn off SH2 onto Moroa-Plain Road. Road. Moroa-Plain onto SH2 off turn Greytown of end southern the At stopbank, which looks down onto the river. Please leave the gates gates the leave Please river. the onto down looks which stopbank,

11) Morrison’s Bush Morrison’s 11) river on the left for 4km. There is a gravel track on the top of the the of top the on track gravel a is There 4km. for left the on river

scenic reserve. From here south, the road follows the stopbank and and stopbank the follows road the south, here From reserve. scenic

Road. Immediately on the left you will see the E C Holmes memorial memorial Holmes C E the see will you left the on Immediately Road. past the confluence to the gravel extraction area. extraction gravel the to confluence the past

before the Tuhitarata Bridge on the right is the East West Access Access West East the is right the on Bridge Tuhitarata the before right hand side of the Waiohine River from the last big bend, down down bend, big last the from River Waiohine the of side hand right

When travelling along Kahutara Road south to Lake Ferry, 500m 500m Ferry, Lake to south Road Kahutara along travelling When Council owns most of the land on the true true the on land the of most owns Council District Wairarapa South

fishandgame.org.nz) for legal access entitlements if you are unsure. unsure. are you if entitlements access legal for fishandgame.org.nz) Bridge

(available on the Wellington Fish & Game homepage: wellington. homepage: Game & Fish Wellington the on (available

14) Diversion Stopbank Access / Tuhitarata Tuhitarata / Access Stopbank Diversion 14)

to the farmers. Consult the Walking Access Mapping System System Mapping Access Walking the Consult farmers. the to

Road. Please leave gates exactly as you find them and be courteous courteous be and them find you as exactly gates leave Please Road.

when parking as the road is very narrow. very is road the as parking when

which continues straight towards the river from the very end of Pah Pah of end very the from river the towards straight continues which

RIVER FISHERY RIVER taken be should Care point. particular any at river the to stopbank

although walking access can be achieved across a public land parcel parcel land public a across achieved be can access walking although

4km. All that is required is to park on the roadside and walk over the the over walk and roadside the on park to is required is that All 4km.

The gravel track does pass through a small section of private land, land, private of section small a through pass does track gravel The

200m past the ‘Angler Access’ sign the road follows the river for about about for river the follows road the sign Access’ ‘Angler the past 200m

2WD vehicles after heavy rain or flooding in the mainstem river. river. mainstem the in flooding or rain heavy after vehicles 2WD be accessed by driving south along Pahautea road. From a point point a From road. Pahautea along south driving by accessed be

RUAMAHANGA by avoided be should points access These points. access both of

From the point marked by the ‘Angler Access’ sign the river can also also can river the sign Access’ ‘Angler the by marked point the From

mainstem. There is plenty of good angling upstream and downstream downstream and upstream angling good of plenty is There mainstem.

parking can be found on the gravel beach. gravel the on found be can parking Ruamahanga the on site extraction gravel Council Regional

300m along the top of a stopbank and then down to the river. Good Good river. the to down then and stopbank a of top the along 300m Wellington Greater a to right and runway) the of end northern the

RUAMAHANGA RIVER FISHERY ACCESS POINTS ACCESS POINTS The Ruamahanga River is the principal trout fishery in the Wairarapa. It 1) SH2 Mount Bruce Bridge (Gateway to the 6) The Cliffs offers a range of fishing experiences from classic backcountry fishing in the Tararuas, to trolling for sea run browns in the tidal zone near it’s Wilderness Zone) Travelling south from on SH 2, turn left onto East Taratahi outlet to Lake Onoke. Access to most parts of the river is easy, due to Just over 20km north of Masterton on SH2, turn left onto an unnamed Road 2.6km past the Waingawa River Bridge. If you are travelling the close proximity of roads. While brown trout predominate, there is a gravel road 100m before the bridge over the Ruamahanga River. Drive north East Taratahi Road lies 5.5km from the Taratahi Hotel on the growing rainbow fishery. 700m up this gravel road to the Department of Conservation signage northern side of Carterton. Drive along East Taratahi Road and then and park. Walking access is through private land upstream to the onto Dakins Road. At the road end you will find ample parking among Tararua Conservation Park. Stay on the track and follow the markers. the totara trees. In summer the area is very popular with campers. Be aware that just upstream from the car park, workers from Mebus ANGLERS! 2) Double Bridges - Mel Parkinson Reserve Estate may be shooting birds in the scrub alongside the river. You Sections of riverbed covered by this pamphlet are in PRIVATE About 7km north of Masterton turn off SH2 onto the Opaki Kaiparoro must call the vineyard on 06 377 3696 before venturing upstream. ownership which means anglers do not have a right of access. Most Road. Drive just over 1km, cross the bridge over the Ruamahanga and Downstream of the car park is a good half days fishing to the landowners have agreed to anglers having access along the riverbed turn right onto Bluff Rangitumau Road. Gladstone Bridge (Access point 7). Excellent evening rises occur in without having to obtain permission first. However, please note that the summer. to fish those parts of the riverbed marked on the map with an orange Just a few metres down this road is the entrance to the reserve. Drive down the gravel track and park, the river is 50m away. circle or half circle you must ask the owner’s permission first. 7) Gladstone Bridge PLEASE respect the privilege of access. Once you are on the river, stay 3) Henley Lake When travelling north through Carterton, turn right into Park Road within the riverbed and do not wander onto adjacent farmland without approximately 500m north of the Post Office. At the end of Park Henley Lake is adjacent to the Ruamahanga River on the eastern side the express permission of the landowner, unless there is a public Road turn left onto Carter’s Line then right onto Gladstone Road. The of Masterton. It provides excellent parking and easy walking access access strip next to the river as shown on the map. Bridge is 12.5km from the SH 2 turn off in Carterton. to the river. A large public reserve runs from the Te Ore Ore Bridge Conditions of access are: downstream to the Waipoua confluence. This provides comfortable Before the bridge on the left is a public reserve which provides walking access to a lot of excellent fishing water. excellent parking. From the parking area you can travel upstream on • NO dogs. NO camping. NO fires. NO vehicles on the riverbed. foot. Please note that for a distance of 1.1km downstream from the You have a choice of two car parks. The first is on Masterton- Gladstone Bridge the riverbed is in private ownership and you cannot • Leave gates as you find them. Castlepoint Road, 400m before the Te Ore Ore Bridge. The second is fish through this reach without the owner’s permission. the Columbo Road entrance to the lake, which is the first road on the The Fish and Game NZ has endeavoured to show Please Note: right after the hospital when travelling out of Masterton on Masterton- where legal public access exists to and along this river. Because of Castlepoint Road. From both car parks the river is 400m walk away on 8) Kokotau Bridge a variety of factors beyond our control this is a guideline only. The the eastern side of the lake. When travelling north through Carterton, turn right into Park Road onus of avoiding trespassing on private land rests with the angler and approximately 500m north of the Post Office. At the end of Park where doubt arises landowner permission should be sought. If any 4) Te Ore Ore Bridge - Percy Reserve Road turn right onto Carter’s Line then left onto Nix Road. Travel past difficulty occurs through the use of this information please contact the Parkvale Mushrooms Ltd. onto Kokotau road and follow this road to This reserve provides excellent access directly to the river, with Wellington Regional Office of Fish and Game NZ. the bridge. On the left before going over the bridge is a gravel road lots of parking. Travelling out of Masterton, turn left off Masterton- that leads down to the river. There is plenty of parking. Castlepoint Road 50m before the Te Ore Ore Bridge. UPPER RUAMAHANGA 5) Wardells Bridge 9) Forman Jury Road Forman Jury Road is just 3km south of the Kokotau Bridge on Within the Tararua Conservation Park, classic wilderness fishing is When travelling south through Masterton along SH2, turn left at the Ponatahi Road. Continue travelling south from the Kokotau Bridge available. A comparatively small number of large fish are present in Caltex Service Station onto South Belt Road just before you reach and turn right into Forman Jury Road (gravel) and drive for 2.5km to gin clear water. This section of river is best fished mid-summer when the Copthorne Hotel. Continue on into Manaia Road and then onto the river. There is ample parking with the road meandering next to the wading conditions are comfortable and trout are actively feeding. Martinborough-Masterton Road. Wardells Bridge is 6.5km from the river for about 2km. SH2 turn-off. Park at the roadside on the eastern side of the bridge. Downstream of the Tararua Conservation Park fishing is patchy until Walking access is over the stile in the fence and down to the river. close to Masterton. From Masterton the river is bigger, and both pools 10) Gliding Wairarapa This is private land so stay on the track once over the stile, and walk and trout are more numerous. Spinning and bait fishing are best early directly to the river. At time of publication there is one access point off Pah Road which and late in the season. Fly-fishing is most effective during summer as will take anglers to the Ruamahanga River, just downstream of the temperatures rise and hatches of Mayfly become prolific. confluence with the Waiohine. Turn off SH2 onto Papawai Road when you reach the Challenge Service Station in Greytown. Travel 3km MIDDLE RIVER along Papawai Road then turn slight right onto Pah Road. At the From the Waingawa confluence downstream the river is bigger, with end of Pah Road turn left onto a gravel track. Go through the gate larger pools and higher numbers of fish. Spinning and bait fishing are and travel along this route, you will come to another gate where the best early and late in the season. Fly-fishing is best during summer as track crosses the Wairarapa and Jury Hill Gliding Club runway (look temperatures rise and hatches of Mayfly become prolific. In the lower carefully for any aircraft before crossing, remembering that you can’t section, large backwaters, favoured by cruising trout, are a test for hear gliders). Some hundred metres past the runway a fork in the anglers attempting to intercept these fish with small nymph patterns. track leads left along the Ruamahanga river bank to the confluence and then onto the true right of the Waiohine river (access is near