Fishing in the Murupara Area

Page 2 - Urewera Wilderness Fishing

Page 3 - Recommended Gear

The Murupara area was selected as the venue for the 1991 World Fly Fishing Championships. This is a fine endorsement of the diverse waters and high quality trout fishing available in this area.

The Rivers and Lakes
We have two main rivers that flow through this catchment, the Rangitaiki and the Whirinaki. These rivers run through the surrounding mountains and converge below the Murupara township.

Both rivers hold wild trout and are recognised as great fishing waters by New Zealand flyfisherman.

There are tributary streams that run into these rivers that also afford excellent fishing and Lake Aniwhenua is famous for trophy trout. This lake is formed by the Rangitaiki River and is a 20 minute drive from the lodge.

There are also other small lakes including the Flaxy (top and bottom) and the Wheao canal that are very productive and challenging. These lakes have an incredible evening rise and very strong fish.

All of the above waters can be reached by car.

We offer the non-fisherman a unique opportunity to experience the "real" New Zealand with native bush walks close-by (tramping or horse back) and many leisure pursuits.

Browns and Rainbows can be found in abundance on the rivers and streams and in the lakes.

Small trout averaging 1-2kg are often caught in the smaller streams such as Otamatea and Dry Fly Creek and in smaller lakes such as Matahina and Flaxy.

Trophy trout over ten pounds (5kg) can be caught in Lake Aniwhenua or Flaxy Lakes. The local rivers and streams hold fish usually up to 6 pounds (3kg).

The ultimate experience, although more expensive, is the opportunity to stalk the mighty trophy specimens by means of a helicopter fly in/out, or for something totally unique, horse back ride through the Urewera National Park to remote fly fishing rivers.