Fly Fishing New Zealand
Fly Fishing New Zealand is one of the best trout fishing experience on earth.
This sparsely populated and mountainous island nation is located in southern latitudes with an abundance of pristine rivers and lakes. All of the above makes for ideal trout conditions. Keen fly fishermen from the USA and the UK, the home of fly fishing regularly go Fly Fishing New Zealand.
The best locations for Fly Fishing New Zealand are on both islands. In the center of the North Island areas around Rotorua, Taupo and Tongariro are the main focus with an abundance of lakes and rivers available. Fly Fishing New Zealand should always include a stop in this region and Taupo is one of the few regions open for year round fishing. Fly Fishing New Zealand’s north island is more about rainbow trout than brown trout although not exclusively.
There is a large mountain range running down the length of the South Island and this makes for excellent fly fishing in numerous locations both in the high country and the lowland rivers.
The rivers and lakes behind the cities of Nelson and Blenheim at the top of the South Island include the high country lakes of the Nelson Lakes National Park and the Kahurangi Ranges. There are many rivers that drain the area with the Buller, Owen and Motueka rivers being quite notable. Anglers keen for Fly Fishing New Zealand will enjoy the incredible mountain scenery and pristine rivers of the area not to mention the abundance of large brown trout. NZ Fish & Game regularly proclaims the Motueka River as having the highest concentrations of brown trout.
The mountains hug the west coast on their journey from south to north and this creates a huge number of rivers and lakes along the heavily forested west coast. They are generally short and fast flowing rivers here but there are also many opportunities for great lake and river fishing in this region.
Fly fishing New Zealand’s south island east coast presents many opportunities in mainly long, broad, slow flowing rivers and streams meandering along to the sea. Again it is more predominately brown trout in these rivers.
Further south the high country around the Twizel and Queenstown areas also allows for fantastic fly fishing in lakes, rivers, streams and man made hydro channels all surrounded by incredible mountain scenery.
As a general rule Fly Fishing New Zealand will produce larger trout than found in Australia. Average catches of 4lb plus are quite normal with monster fish of 8lb and more found in many regions each season. The season runs from October to April with a few areas such as Lake Taupo tributaries open for winter spawning season fishing.
It is necessary for all trout fishermen to be in possession of a valid license which can be purchased from tackle shops, fishing lodges and licensed fishing guides. When Fly Fishing New Zealand many anglers find their catch rate soars when they use a local professional guide as they know the waters and entomology well and are expert at seeing the fish….which can be quite hard.
There are a number of dedicated fly fishing lodges on both islands of New Zealand.
As all waters are open to all people when Fly Fishing New Zealand it is wise to choose a lodge which is located overlooking proven trout waters in remote regions which limits the local fishing to lodge guests.
The season generally runs from October to April with peak season during the summer months of extended day light hours from December to March.
Some of the best regions and lodges for Fly Fishing New Zealand are listed below.
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