Aorere River

The Aorere is the largest river in Golden Bay. It rises in the alpine Domett Range of Kahurangi National Park and runs about 40 km north to the Ruataniwha Inlet at Collingwood. Do not expect many trout. Expect good ones. The browns average about 1.4 to 1.8 kg (3 to 4 lb), they are among the biggest in Golden Bay, and the largest fish live in the upper river. The water is clear, first over rock, boulder and shingle in the bush near the Heaphy Track road end, then through the carved limestone gorge at Salisbury Falls. Sea-run browns come into the tidal lower river near Collingwood.

This is wading water, and it suits an angler who walks and looks before casting. In the upper and middle river, fish a weighted gold-bead Hare and Copper or a Pheasant Tail nymph, in size 10 to 14 up high and size 14 or smaller lower down. In summer the browns rise readily, so carry an Adams, a Greenwell's Glory, a green beetle and a cicada pattern. March Brown and Dad's Favourite wet flies and small spinners also work. Flows are read at the Devils Boots gauge in the middle valley. As a rough guide, the river wades well at about 10 to 40 m³/s and is blown out past about 100. It drains a big, wet catchment off the national park, so a heavy storm can lift it fast.

Aorere Valley Road follows the river from Collingwood through Rockville and Bainham to Brown Hut at the start of the Heaphy Track, 31.5 km in. It is sealed to a little past Bainham and gravel after that. Above Salisbury Road Bridge the river is fly and spin only and open from 1 October to 30 April. Below it, the river is open all year and bait is allowed. Take care in the Salisbury Falls gorge, where the limestone walls are deeply undercut. If the Aorere is high or dirty, the Takaka on the other side of Golden Bay is the obvious next choice.