Ruakituri River

The Ruakituri rises on the Huiarau Range in Te Urewera and runs about 70 km south-east to meet the Hangaroa just above Te Reinga Falls, about 35 km north of Wairoa, where the two become the Wairoa River. It is fly fishing only, one of the few North Island rivers that is, and it is known for big, strong, wild trout. Above Waitangi Falls only rainbow trout live, and they average 2 to 3 kg, with many over 5 kg caught each year. Below the falls the river holds high numbers of both browns and rainbows, about 2 kg in the middle river and 1 to 2 kg in the lower river. In the 2013 National Angling Survey, anglers rated it the most enjoyed river in the North Island.

The middle river, through bush and farmland below Waitangi Falls, is a run of pools, rapids and long flats that is open and easy to fish, and it gets the most anglers. Many anglers see the Ruakituri as nymph water. Carry caddis and mayfly nymphs in sizes 12 to 14, such as a Pheasant Tail, a Hare and Copper, a Prince and a Halfback. In November and December the trout rise freely, so carry sedge and beetle dries, with cicada and wasp patterns in summer. An Invicta, a March Brown, a Greenwell's Glory or a Claret and Mallard covers the wet-fly fishing. The lower river is wider and slower, through farmland. Above Waitangi Falls the river runs through rugged, remote country with steep limestone gorges and very clear water.

Papuni Road runs up the valley from the Erepiti Road junction to reach the middle river, and Ruakituri Road follows the true right bank lower down. Most of the middle and lower river runs through farmland, so ask before you cross private land. Above Waitangi Falls the river is in a wilderness area where only foot access is allowed and helicopters may not land, so the upper river is for fit anglers on a long walk. You may not keep a fish over 600 mm above the falls. The Ruakituri is in the Eastern Fish & Game region, not Hawke's Bay, and Eastern bans all fishing between midnight and 5 am. Whio (blue duck), an endangered native duck, live on parts of the river. Paddlers run a short gorge on the river, so expect the odd raft or kayak.