Tairua River

Tairua Harbour, output of the Tairua river into the Pacific

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

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.

The small Shoe Island lies directly opposite the river's mouth, 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) into the Pacific.

Fishing

The Tairua River is popular for angling. It features a large rock bed, and is noted for its picturesque landscapes. It supports a variety of fish species, including rainbow trout.  Access to the Tairua River is commonly gained from a central point that is readily accessible. For more secluded fishing experiences, anglers often access the river by foot from either the northern or southern ends.

Lures and River Rules

For fly fishing on the river, 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 the Tairua River you may only bag up to 5 fish a day.  Out of those fish they must be 30 cm or larger.