Gowan River

The Gowan, officially Te Kauparenui / Gowan River, drains Lake Rotoroa and runs about 10 km north to the Buller at Gowanbridge. Apart from a long glide where it leaves the lake, it is close to one continuous rapid over big, slippery boulders between bushy banks. It holds a remarkable number of brown trout: Fish & Game's guide says one survey counted more than 350 trout in a single kilometre, with an average of 1.4 to 1.8 kg (3 to 4 lb). A Water Conservation Order has protected the river in its natural state since 2001, and the Environment Court turned down a plan to dam it for hydro power in 2007.

This is hard fishing in hard water. You rarely see the fish in the broken white water, so most of it is blind fishing with heavily weighted big nymphs, a Pheasant Tail or Hare and Copper in sizes 8 to 12, to get down fast in the pockets. A bushy dry such as a Deer Hair Sedge can bring fish up in the rough water, and a Twilight Beauty or Black Gnat suits the quieter spots. In the glide at the lake outlet, swing or drift small wets such as a Greenwell's Glory or a Dad's Favourite. The banks are overgrown, so plan on roll casts and short drifts. Hooking a fish is the easy part. Landing a heavy brown in that current takes strong tippet and some luck.

The Gowan is not for the timid or the novice. The rocks are slippery, the current is swift, and you can only cross by a bridge. Wade the edges with a wading staff and do not try to reach the far bank on foot. Gowan Valley Road follows the river from SH6 at Gowanbridge to the small settlement of Rotoroa, where DOC runs a campsite at the lake. Rotoroa has no shop, so bring food. Didymo is present, so check, clean and dry your gear before you fish another river. If the Gowan is too much, the Buller at Gowanbridge and Lake Rotoroa itself are close by.