Tairua River

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Tairua Harbour, output of the Tairua river into the Pacific NZ110415 Mount Paku 05.jpg
Tairua Harbour, output of the Tairua river into the Pacific

The Tairua River is a river located on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island of New Zealand.

Contents

It flows north and then northeast for a total of 35 kilometres (22 mi) from its source in the Coromandel Range to the west of Whangamatā, passing through the town of Hikuai before reaching the Pacific Ocean at Tairua on the peninsula's east coast emptying into the Tairua Harbour.[ citation needed ]

The small Shoe Island lies directly opposite the river's mouth, 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) into the Pacific. 37°04′S175°49′E / 37.067°S 175.817°E / -37.067; 175.817

Fishing

The Tairua River is used for recreational angling. It features a large rock bed, and is noted for its picturesque landscapes. It supports a variety of fish species, including rainbow trout, [1]   which weigh averagely just under 1 kg. Access to the Tairua River is commonly gained from various central points. The middle reaches can be easily accessed from the Hikuia Valley Road that runs alongside the river for approximately 10 km (6.2 miles). The upper reaches can only be accessed by foot from the track that begins near the bridge on State Highway 25A. For more secluded fishing experiences, anglers often access the river by foot from either the northern or southern ends. [2]

Fishing Techniques and Regulations

Various fly lures are used for fly fishing in the Tairua River, depending on the season. There are several choices of fly lure. Cicada lures are most commonly used in mid-summer. Green beetles’ pattern is more often used around the month of November. All wet flies are accepted at the river. Spinners may be used only with a small blade tail.  The red and gold spinner patterns are the most common used colours. When fishing in the Tairua River, it is common to only bag up to 5 fish a day. The majority of the fish are usually 30 cm or longer.[ citation needed ]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coromandel Peninsula</span> Peninsula in New Zealand

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hikuai</span> Place in Waikato, New Zealand

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pauanui</span> Place in Waikato, New Zealand

The town of Pauanui is on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula in the North Island of New Zealand. It lies at the mouth of the Tairua River on its south bank, directly opposite the larger town of Tairua.

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The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to fishing:

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Mahi-mahi are swift and acrobatic game fish with striking colours. These colours darken when the fish dies The current IGFA all tackle record is 39.91 kilograms (88lb), caught in 1998 in Exuma, Bahamas by Chris Johnson of Lake Mary, Florida. Catches average 7 to 13 kilograms, and any mahi-mahi over 18 kilograms (40 lb) is exceptional. Males are often larger than females.

Whangapoua Harbour is a shallow natural harbour in the northeast of the Coromandel Peninsula. It is located between Whangapoua in the north, Te Rerenga in the southwest, and Matarangi on the Omara Spit in the north separating it from the ocean. Two boat ramps and a jetty provide boat access into the harbour.

State Highway 25 is a New Zealand state highway that runs eastwards across the Hauraki Plains then northwards up the western side of Coromandel Peninsula and down the eastern side to Waihi. The route is very scenic and provides access to idyllic beach holiday locations. It is a major road for holidaymakers and tourists, with the summer period around Christmas and New Year's Eve a particularly busy time. It is single carriageway for the entire route. The road is windy in many parts and prone to accidents. It is New Zealand's third longest two-digit state highway, after SH 35 and SH 94. It is part of the Pacific Coast Highway. There is one spur road, SH 25A, which cuts across the peninsula west to east, almost intersecting SH 25 at both ends.

References

  1. "Tairua River", NZ Fishing, archived from the original on 28 May 2023, retrieved 8 February 2024
  2. "Tairua River". nzfishing.com. Retrieved 16 July 2024.