Ever since TRM’s blog on a Whakapapa River raft fishing trip, several questions from inmates follow about this time of the season wanting more detailed info on how/where to access the Whakapapa and where could they find more info?
Fish & Game publish many excellent informative brochures of all trout rivers throughout NZ. The relevant brochure for the Whakapapa River is “Whanganui Headwaters”.
At TRM we have to hide certain brochures as some selfish fishos pinch them all to prevent others from finding out about the river access. True! Ditto for the Manganuioteao brochure – “Sports Fishing Opportunities in the Ruapehu District”. Fish & Game describe the river as follows:
“The Whakapapa is a large river that flows from the northern slopes of Mt. Ruapehu, along the edge of Tongariro Forest, before joining the Whanganui River at Kakahi. It is one of New Zealand’s finest trout fisheries with rainbow and brown trout averaging 2 kg. Generally, the water quality is pristine, very cold and crystal clear – in the upper reaches water clarity usually exceeds 10 metres.”
“For most of its length, the Whakapapa flows through native forest alternating between turbulent rapids, deep pools, and long boulder runs. This is certainly not a river for the faint-hearted – there are few easy places to cross and some caution is required.
Access to the lower reaches is via the cutting from the end of Te Rena Road via the village of Kakahi… Access to the middle reaches is from Owhango….” But what is not mentioned for some reason is the access from Stone Jug Road over the paper road, which is now open again? There are also other anglers access car parks near Kakahi, but you will need to get local directions from the Kakahi General Store.
The enquiries were referred to several old books which explain the status and importance of the river far better than we can in a brief update. These books should be regarded as classic fishy literature for Tongariro junkies – KAKAHI (published 1972) by Peter McIntyre, The Flies in my Hat (1967) by Greg Kelly, & two books by E G Webber, “you should’ve been here on Thursday” (1961) and “try again Friday” (1965) as pictured below.
All these classic trout fishing books are now out of print but can be found by googling or on “TradeMe” type sites. All are strongly recommended and should be treasured in any fly fisho’s library.
There are two memorable tourist features of Kakahi. First is the narrow road access down a scenic cutting leading down to the river. This was formed for a railway line to the bridge mentioned above. This narrow cutting seconds as a tourist attraction for the glow worms that appear at night along the steep banks.
Second is the local celebrity – Manu Lala – who has operated the local General Store for many years. Both are compulsory visits. The interior is a museum of treasures. It is compulsory for everyone, tourists and anglers, to visit him to pay homage and to buy some of his precious Kakahi Queen flies. We promise you will never forget the visit. It is like an extension of Te Papa. It should be preserved.
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Whakapapa fishing trip.
(Copied from 18 February 2021 blog)
TRM was hesitant to post this fishy report as we know some anglers would prefer it if the trout fishing on the Whakapapa River was never mentioned on our blogs. Indeed, I suspect they might even curse me?
But as this raft trip was a new experience for our TRM inmates, exploring the mainly inaccessible stretch of Whakapapa River from Owhango to Kakahai, Brendon provided heaps of photos which should illustrate the story instead, as I am not allowed to show any enthusiasm to rave about it…
Our favourite rafting team at RaftingNZ set this trip up for our two most able fishos, Brendon Mathews (who drove the camera) from Nelson (known locally for his 2003 book “Volcanic Trout – we can safely mention his book as it is now a collectors item and being out of print it cannot compete with “Tongariro Skulduggery”) and Jason Klivington from Wanaka took up the challenge. Jason has been a regular inmate for about 15 years spending his summers at TRM chasing BIG browns from all over.
(2022 Update – RaftingNZ is now a “covid casualty” but the raft guide Jesse works out of Sporting Life in Turangi. Contact him directly…)
The superb guide was Jesse who fulfilled everything asked of him technically – according to their feedback. He did warn that this raft fishing trip may not be suitable for older Tongariro duffers (like me?) as it is physically demanding and requires a higher casting skill level than usually seen on the Tongariro. In particular, the big slippery volcanic boulders covered in grease means extremely difficult wading conditions. So you have been warned.
Fortunately, the quality and superb fighting condition of the trout more than compensate. Many were of trophy status. The images illustrate just a few to indicate how good this fishery is – for those with the courage and fitness to match the rugged back-country conditions.
