The visiting angler can expect a few quinnat salmon to be present in the Hokitika River from late December to April. It is always worth casting for searun brown trout near the river mouth. There is very good access along both banks especially below the highway bridge.
The Hokitika produces some good searuns in the lower river though they are usually smaller fish than those found on the East Coast. Resident brown trout tend to occupy the middle part of this river. Upstream, particularly above the Hohitika Gorge, it is true wilderness fishing and some of the rainbows are quite big fish!
Overall the Hokitika River is 64 kms long. It offers plenty of good fly fishing upstream. If you prefer the fly rod in the lower reaches for brown trout try a Parsons Glory or Yellow Rabbit. Up stream a Hare and Copper Nymph, Coch-y-Bondhu, or any brown beetle pattern is worth a try.
If spin fishing when the river is low and very clear try a smaller spinner like a black and gold Glimmy, or a small blade spinner such as a Mepps with a black blade. The lower river is wide in parts and well suited to spin fishing if you are seeking to cover plenty of holding water.
Don't even consider trout fishing in the Hokitika River without adequate protection from the dreaded West Coast sand flies. In some spots on this river they can drive you crazy!
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Whitebaiters at the mouth of the Hokitika River. This is one of the most popular rivers on the 'Coast' for whitebaiting. It can get very crowded near the mouth when the whitebait are running. Whitebaiters generally prefer to fish the incoming tide so if you time your spin fishing for trout on the out-going tide there will be plenty of extra space available. |
Again it is best to avoid the lower river during the whitebait season as it gets very crowded, particularly on the first push of the tide. If spin fishing the middle and lower river good lures to try are black and gold zed spinners and Tobys.
If you are targeting the small runs of quinnat salmon try a small 22g silver zed spinner fished on 20 lb monofilament.
The surf beaches along this whole coast provide excellent surfcasting when sea and weather are favorable. Snapper can even be caught from the beach behind Hokitika township on occasion.
You should also give Lake Kaniere a try if you have the time. It contains browns, rainbows and perch. It is quite difficult to get to most of the shoreline around this. A boat or kayak is a big asset on the West Coast lakes where the native bush often hangs right out over the water.
If you like spin fishing you will be pleased to know that there are no "Fly Fishing Only" waters in the West Coast Fish & Game Region at all. Bait fishing is also permitted in all waters on the West Coast - as is the use of boats. In the Hokitika River no licence holder shall take, kill or be in possession of more than: 4 brown trout, 2 rainbow trout, 2 salmon. There is no daily bag limit for perch in the West Coast Fish & Game Region.
