New Zealand's South Island
When Peter Jackson searched for locations for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy he looked no further than his own backyard and little wonder. The mountains of the South Island act as the splendid back drop to his stunning films and they can also become the scenery for your fishing holiday. In the know anglers have been using New Zealands South Island for nearly a hundred years and it still remains a destination of merit. Primarily a summer fishery, the best fishing throughout the South Island is from November through to May, coincidently right in the middle of the northern Hemisphere Winter, when it offers arguably some of the worlds best dry fly fishing to sighted trout. Crystal clear rivers, streams and large trout combine to bring anglers the chance of subtly stalking behind a fish and then presenting a dry fly in anticipation of it being engulfed by the fish of their dreams.
Hot sunny days will allow your guide to spot fish just below the surface as they feed on the abundant terrestrial insect life. In a close relationship they will advise you where to position yourself so that the cast can be made without the fish seeing you. There is nothing easy about catching New Zealand Trout, they are instinctivly wary, shying away from a poor cast or an anglers shadow. Each fish must be earnt and while a days fishing in the high country seldom produces large numbers of fish each one will be remembered as much for the effort it required to fool as the snow capped mountains in the background of the photograph.
A true sense of solitude will be felt as you lift your hat, wipe your brow and drink in the views.The South Island is characterised by wide valley floors, meandering saphire blue rivers and a back drop of snow capped Mountains. Oppertunties to fish for sighted fish occur in abundance as the island is littered with rivers, streams and creeks which flow gin clear for most of the summer. Encounters with other anglers are rare and you will be left with a sense of awe and wonder at the shere beauty of some of the surrounding countryside. Regions of note are the Nelson Lakes National Park in the North, The Mackenzie Country of North Otago and Southland which encompasses Fiordland National Park, a stunning location which truely deserves its status as a World Hertigage Site and home to the famous Milford Track.
Great fishing is not just limited to the far reaches of the backcountry. In the lowland pastures of Southland runs the Mataura River an easily accessed gem stuffed with brown trout. While the fish are not as large as their highland counterparts they more than make up for this in their abundance. The river experiences prolific seasonal hatches of mayfly in the latter Summer and Autumn. Fish of two to three pounds rise freely taking mayflys which appear to hatch in an almost constant fashion. Anglers that can cast accurately, covering fish quickly will be rewarded with large bags of fish as the rises continue all afternoon into the evening. Gore is situated right on the banks of the Mataura and has cheekily been nominated as the Brown Trout Fishing Capital of the World. To find out if that title is deserved come and enjoy some southern hospitality in what is certainly a mecca for those enjoy the sight of a rising trout sucking in a dry fly.
Hooked on New Zealand specialises in the needs of decerning fly fishermen, organising all of your requirements into balanced itineries for the trout fishing experience of a lifetime.
Tailored trout fly fishing adventures around New Zealand featuring the best guides, accommodation & trout fly fishing in some of the most beautiful untouched locations in the world. Let Hooked On New Zealand organize your transport & accommodation & then personally guide you to some of the best fly fishing you can experience anywhere. At Hooked On New Zealand we believe that it is the combination of great guides & high quality accommodation that will make your trip a truly wonderful experience.
Hooked on New Zealand
10 Lock Street
Dunedin
New Zealand
Mobile 00-64-210301761
web www.hookedonnz.com
Email info@hookedonnz.com