Mohaka River

The Mohaka rises in the Kaimanawa Range, runs east between the Kaimanawa and Kaweka ranges and through deep gorges, and reaches the sea at Mohaka, north of Napier. It fishes as two rivers. Above Pakaututu Bridge, the upper river is remote, mostly beyond any road, and brown trout make up most of the fish. Some pass 4.5 kg. Below the bridge, the middle river is easy to reach and holds a large population of mostly rainbow trout. They average about 1.5 kg, and many bigger fish are caught. The fish are wild, and the Water Conservation Order on the river names the scenery of its Mokonui and Te Hoe gorges.

This is clear water over a stony bed, with runs and pools between rapids, and the current is stronger than it looks, so cross with care. Nymphing takes the most fish. Carry a Hare and Copper, a Pheasant Tail, a Prince and a Halfback. For dries, a Parachute Adams, a Royal Wulff and a Humpy cover most days, with cicada, beetle and cricket patterns in summer, and mouse patterns at night. A Hamill's Killer, a Mrs Simpson, an Invicta or a Greenwell's Glory swung through the runs also works. A 5 to 7 weight rod of 8 ft 6 in to 9 ft handles the river and its fish. Spin anglers do best with dull colours for browns and bright ones for rainbows. After rain the Mohaka usually clears in 1 to 2 days.

Getting to the upper river is the work. From Poronui Station there is a poled foot route of about 12 km (3 to 4 hrs) to the upper Mohaka and its Taharua, Oamaru and Kaipo tributaries. It is for walkers only, with no bikes or vehicles. Otherwise walk in for 5 to 8 hours, or fly in by helicopter from Poronui. From the Kaweka side, a DOC track runs up the true right of the river from the end of Makahu Road to Te Puia Hut in 2 to 3 hours. Makahu Road is about 1 hour of gravel from the Puketitiri Road, with a ford that rises after heavy rain. The middle river is roadside: Pakaututu Road, McVicar Road Bridge, which has a track to the river, and State Highway 5 at Glenfalls, where a track runs from the Glenfalls Recreation Reserve. Some of the land along the river is private, so use the access points and ask before you cross farmland. The rules change at the Mangatainoka confluence, below which the river is open all year. Below State Highway 5 the river runs through gorges to the sea. The lower river is less regarded, but trout drop down to it when the whitebait run in October and November.