Hokitika Gorge

The Hokitika River is in the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

It is about 64 kilometers (40 miles) long, beginning in the Southern Alps and flowing into the Tasman Sea next to the town of Hokitika. The Hokitika River, and its eastern tributary, the Kokatahi River, have formed the Kowhitirangi-Kokatahi alluvial plain; a fertile and productive land extensively used for dairy farming.

The entrance to the Hokitika River was once used as a harbour during the West Coast's gold rush; however, the sand bar at the river mouth created a treacherous and often fatal obstacle - resulting in many ship wrecks. After the gold-rush subsided, the use of the river as a harbour declined and is now no longer used. hokitika gallery 4(copy)

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.

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.