Fly Fishing in New Zealand, in the South Island
Nelson to Graymouth
The top end of New Zealand's famed South Island is a trout fisherman's dream, with an incredible variety of free stone streams and rivers, spring creeks and lakes. The area is reached either by ferry from Picton, where the guides will meet anglers, by rental car, or by the famous Fishing Train, The Tranz Alpine Express, one of the world's great train journeys, from Christchurch to Greymouth where guides meet anglers.
Here the brown trout is king. These brownies average 4 pounds with man y larger fish taken each season. Trophies in excess of 10 pounds are taken annually. While February and March are historically the most popular period for overseas visitors, there is superb fishing throughout the season with the highest average catch rate in the early season October and November. Trout are stalked and spotted individually in the crystal clear water. These big brows are wary and selective. The most successful nymphs and dry flies are in sizes 8 to 18. Dry fly patterns include the Royal Wulff, Adams, Humpy, Rusty Spinner, Elk Hair Caddis. Nymphs include Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear, Zug Bug, Red Fox, Squirrel, Borger's Red Brown and various caddis patterns. There are usually heavy mayfly and caddis hatches in the evening.
Spinning and lure fishing are allowed and for spin fishermen there is plenty of variety with success highest early in the season fishing small dark lures.
Along the narrow strip of land between the ridge of the Southern Alps and the Tasman sea lie unspoiled primeval forests laced with secret streams that only your guide and a handful of others know about. He will take you there over unmarked tracks in his Four wheel drive vehicle.
Expect summer temperatures averaging 65 degrees F and Water temperatures of 58 degrees F. This makes wet wading common. New Zealanders like to wear when wading what some call their "Mickey Mouse suit". This outfit consists of dark polypropylene long underwear worn under shorts with out waders, the angler wearing only his felt soled wading boots. This outfit allows for easy walking along the river, unencumbered by hot and bulkier waders. The polypropylene sheds water quickly and keeps legs warm and insect free.
The Nelson to Greymouth stretch is one of the least populated and developed areas in New Zealand. The guides here are among the best in the world.
Accommodations. Both Lake Rotoroa Lodge and Lake Brunner Lodge are in this area. Please see. Friendly farm stays, small fishing hotels and home accommodations
Season: September for sea runs. October 1st through April 30 in most areas.
Method: Fly or Spin
Queenstown to Te Anau
Queenstown is reached easily from Christchurch by plane or car. The area provides a wide selection of attractions including Skyline gondola trips, jet boating on the Shotover river, rafting, helicopter trips, hors trekking backpacking and for the adventurous, bungie jumping. There something for everyone here.
Tourist attractions aside, the Queenstown area offers excellent angling possibilities. It is located right on the shores of Lake Wakatipu offer excellent trolling for browns, rainbow and land locked king salmon. Rivers like the Lochy, Von, Greenstone, Caples, Rees, Nevis and the famous Upper Mataura are all easily reached. Local guides are excellent and have the boats and 4 wheel drive vehicles to take anglers to the most productive places.
Te Anau is the hub of Fiordland World Heritage Park. It is located at the southern end of the largest lake on the South Island, Lake Te Anau. It is the jumping off place for visits to Milford and Doubtful Sounds.
Within a 50 mile radius there is both brown and rainbow trout fishing in such rivers as the Waiau, Mararoa, Whitestone, Upukeroa, Irisburn, Hamilton Burn and many other flowing into the arms of lake Te Anau and Lake Manapouri and reached only via your guides boats. Here are the famous Worsley and Clinton, renowned for dry fly fishing. There is also the Eglinton and the Greenstone. Further to the east fly the Mataura and the Oreti. Helicopter, jet boat, lake boat, and 4 wheel drive fishing are all available through your guides. Fly patterns such as Wulffs, Adams, Humpy, and Irresistible in sizes 12 - 16 as well as New Zealand flies with strange names like Coch-y-Bondhu, Green Manuka Beetle, Dad's favorite and the Kakahi Queen. One always wants a few Pheasant Tail Nymphs and Zug Bugs on hand as well
Te Anau guides are world famous. Names like Bill Stewart, Bob Speeden and Lloyd Knowls are woven into the fabric of New Zealand fly fishing history.
Accommodations: Famous helicopter fly-out Cedar Lodge is located in the Wanaka area out of Queenstown. (see "Lodges") Queenstown and Te Anau have fine hotels. Great farm stays, small fishing hotels and B & B accommodations are also available.
Season: October 1 through April 30. Some high country streams open November 1
Method: Fly, spin, troll.