Beautiful River

The Beautiful River certainly lives up to its name offering stunning scenery and pristine clear water. The only problem with this river is that only the first 2 km or so are worth fishing, from that point onwards it turns into a rusher supplying very inhospitable habitat for trout. There is however a nice half day of fishing on this lower stretch of water.

Beautiful River photos

Beautiful River General Information

General location

The Beautiful River is located in Kahurangi National Park

Access cost

Access is free to the public

Access permission

No permission is needed

River Access

This river is normally only accessed by helicopter due to its remoteness with the Roaring Lion Hut commonly used as a base. From the Roaring Lion Hut the Beautiful River can become unaccessable when the Roaring Lion running at high flow rates and definitely unaccsessable when in flood. Walking in is possible from both the Karamea township end (continuing from the Greys Hut track from the cableway) or the Leslie River Track deviating at the Karamea Bend. Walking in is only suitable for highly experienced trampers/anglers as there is no official track, long distances (over multiple days) need to be covered over some tough going terrain and travel time can be dramtically extended if river levels do not allow you to ford safely forcing you to walk through dense bush up and over bluffs

River accessibility

The river offers fairly open accessibility, walking the riverbed is mostly unrestricted with a few fordings required. The majority of the terrain is rocks and medium sized boulders

River fording

The river is small to mid-sized with many spots to safely ford knee deep water at times of normal river flow. It can become unfordable at times of high river flow and definitely unfordable at times of flood. Watch out for patches of slippery rocks

River clarity

The clarity is superb offering great sight fishing opportunities, flooding will see discoloration however it clears very quickly

Beautiful River Fishing Information

Fishing license

Required

Fishing region

West Coast

Fish present

Brown trout

Fish numbers

Fish numbers are not high based on the minimal amount of hospitable water available however fish quality makes up for this

Fish size

The average size is 3.5lb with a few larger fish present

General fishing

A stealthy approach is important especially later in the season as these fish see many anglers that come to visit the Roaring Lion River. Fly selection is not as important as delivering a fly undetected and drag free. On still calm days glassy tails and eyes of shallow pools can be testing, a careful approach is needed and a long tippet will further help. On a recent trip one fish stands out in particular, it was a cunning brown with exceptional eyesight that had previously eluded my attempts. The reason being is that it fed in a spot that was very hard to approach and get into a casting position without being spotted, however, with a very light wind producing just enough surface ripple to mask my approach I was able to successfully deliver a dry fly on an extended tippet and land the elusive brown!

Fishing regulations

Fishing regulations

Catch and release

Catch and release is not enforced but should be considered mandatory on this river to ensure the medium sized fish population remains in tact

Beautiful River Camping and General Facilities

Camping

Camping in Kahurangi National Park is permitted

Toilet facilities

No toilet facilities

Rubbish disposal

Not serviced for rubbish, please take ALL rubbish with you on departure

Beautiful River Cautions and Safety Information

Weather cautions

The weather can turn very quickly in this area. Both night time and daytime temperatures can plummet without warning, make sure you are well prepared with the correct gear. Unscheduled rain can appear and come down with force, rivers can then rise to impassable levels within minutes. Extreme levels of rain can fall in any season

Weather report

Weather report

Wasps

Wasp nests were present the last time I fished this river. They don't bother you while fishing but keep a careful eye out when you have to bush bash up and over gorges, especially on sunny east facing banks

Sandflies

Sandflies can be present in high numbers, insect repellent is recommended