Ahuriri River

The Ahuriri rises below Mt Huxley in the Southern Alps, between Lakes Ōhau and Hāwea, and curves east into Lake Benmore near Omarama. It is a fishery of national importance. A Water Conservation Order since 1990 recognises the river and its tributaries for outstanding wildlife habitat and fisheries, including outstanding angling. Much of the upper river is in the Ahuriri Conservation Park, and it holds both brown and rainbow trout. The season opens on the first Saturday in November.

Above Birchwood Station there are fewer fish, but cunning trophy brown trout of up to 4.5 kg live in the clear pools and runs. The water is easy to wade, and you can cross between pools in places. Lower down, around Ben Avon Station, the river winds and you can spot fish in good water. The backwaters often hold good fish, though you have to cast downstream into them, and drag makes that tricky. Below the hills, the middle and lower river runs braided, shingly and willow-lined across tussock and lupin flats. Fish across and down with flies or spinners, blind fish the rapids, and sight fish where you can. The fish here are mostly rainbows, slate grey and hard to see unless they move. Stocks of browns and rainbows of 1 to 1.5 kg are especially good from the SH8 bridge to Lake Benmore. The gravel delta at the lake is well worth exploring, with fish cruising near the current.

In summer the valley is hot and windswept, and a nor'wester usually starts blowing down it in the mid to late morning. It often drops in the evening, which gives a calm window to target the fish. Carry dries such as a Greenwell's Glory, a Red-tipped Governor, a Coch-y-Bondhu, a Humpy, a Wulff and a Molefly, nymphs such as a Hare and Copper, Hare's Ear and Pheasant Tail, and streamers such as a Mrs Simpson, a Parson's Glory or a Yellow Dorothy. Spinners such as a slice or a Zed spinner work too. This page has no live flow gauge. Environment Canterbury records only the river's height at the SH8 bridge, and Earth Sciences New Zealand's South Diadem flow gauge needs its permission, which Troutline is waiting on. Didymo is present, so clean your gear, waders and boots before you move between rivers.