Chris Dore. Fly Fishing Guide. Queenstown, New Zealand

What to bring

All equipment including a range of quality graphite rods can be supplied, although the following is a guide for those who wish to bring their own.

An 8'6"or 9' 5/6 weight rod. Fast action graphite is preferred, for our trout are large, and the wind fierce. Plenty of bottom end power is a must.

We use floating lines for 95% of our fishing. Weight forward or double taper are both suitable for our conditions, and in a subtle shade of olive, or brown. Being well educated, NZ trout often spook when presented with a fluro orange or chartreuse colored line.

We use a tapered leader of between 10 and 15 feet in length. A selection of tippet down to 6x is required, in high quality mono, or fluorocarbon.

Quality polarized glasses are as important as your rod! Yellow or amber colored, glass lenses are best suited for New Zealand light conditions, and will allow you to spot more trout. A wide brimmed, or good peaked cap is essential , both for sun protection, and to help shade your polaroids from peripheral light.

You will need to bring your own wading gear. Most people prefer modern, lightweight breathables, for both comfort on the river, and greater packability. Personally, I prefer to wet – wade for the majority of the time. Due to the distances traveled over a day’s fishing, and the terrain we often find ourselves in, I find lightweight polypropylene used in conjunction to shorts, or light nylon fishing pants more convenient, not to mention comfortable than waders.

Wading boots are largly a personal choice, but I prefer those with felt soles. A solid leather upper provides optimum ankle support, and the addition of carbide studs increases the grip on a variety of surfaces.

Lightweight hiking boots are fine, and are preferrential for our 'walk in' backcountry venues, where long distances may be covered within a day.

Warm clothing in dull, subdued tones is a must for stalking NZ trout. Greens and browns are the preferred colors, and ex – army camouflage is the preferred attire of many successful locals. Lightweight nylon garments are quick drying and perfect for our conditions, and when worn over top of polypropylene thermals, make for a warm, practical combination. I prefer the 'Columbia' range of products, and find these hard wearing, and comfortable over a days angling. A warm, fleece – type jacket is essential, as is a quality waterproof / windproof parka for when things turn sour.

Flies
emerging cdc dun All flies are supplied and tied by myself. I prefer this to commercially produced patterns, as materials can be adapted to accommodate local hatches. Your American patterns will still work on our trout, and the following are worth bringing.

Dries
Compara Dun #14 – 20, Para Adams #12 – 18, Simmons Attractor #8-10, Elk hair Caddis #12 – 16, humpys #10 – 16 Stimulators #8 – 10, 'Flush floating' Cripple patterns #16 – 20.

Nymphs
Pheasant tail #14 – 20, Hares Ear #10 – 18, Green Stonefly #8 – 14, Zug Bug # 10 – 14, flashback / Halfback #14 – 18.

Beadhead nymphs have become increasingly popular in NZ over the past several seasons and have earned their place in many a flybox. Black, gold and tungsten beads are effective on any dark colored nymph, in sizes 8 through 18.

Local patterns vary from region to region, but most are available from local sport shops, or can be purchased online. A few notable ties are as follows:
Dad’s favorite (dry & wet), Kakahi Queen (dry), Mahogany spent spinner (dry), and Claytons Creeper (nymph).

simmons attractor Fishing license
A New Zealand freshwater fishing license is required for all who intend to fish for trout in New Zealand. These are available from sports shops, service centers or online direct from the NZ Fish & Game website. Pricing is dependent on duration and categories are in either 24-hour denominations, or full season depending upon individual requirements.

Fishing Options
Local Rivers
Accessible by 4wd as daytrips or included in a multi – day itinerary, there are dozens of rivers and streams available to us in many conditions. Southland is home to four main river systems, the Mataura, Oreti, Aparima and Waiau.
Each has many productive tributaries within their catchments, providing us with many more angler days than there are in a season. Where we choose to fish on a given day is largely dependent on both weather and river conditions, not to mention angler preference.
It is here that your guides knowledge and intuition will reflect upon the days success.
No matter the weather, we can always find you fishable water.

A typical day involves being picked up from your accommodation at around 8am and driving to our destination by air-conditioned 4wd vehicle.
We will later return you to your hotel at a time determined between client and guide.
Travelling times to our fishing area varies according to the locations we chose to fish.
Generally we are looking at between 40 to 100 minutes ex – Queenstown for most locations.

Multi Day Safari
An increasingly popular option on multi day bookings is to ‘hit the road’ as opposed to limiting our reach within the confines of a set accommodation. In doing this, we stay closer to the areas we fish at a selection of cabins, farmstays, hotels and Bed and Breakfasts determined by the area we are in. Travelling time is greatly reduced, thus maximizing time spent fishing, and adverse weather is better dealt with than from a set base.
The best way to experience the wide variety of fishing that Southland has on offer.

Campouts
The complete New Zealand outdoors experience.
We stay in modern, lightweight tents beside the riverbank, among some of the most stunning scenery in the South.
Experience a traditional ‘Kiwi’ style campfire dinner, before hitting the evening rise, and returning to camp for slumber, surrounded by the sounds of nature.
New Zealand doesn’t have any bears, snakes or coyotes – in fact, man has no predator in the safe, New Zealand outdoors.
So why not relax and enjoy a glass of wine whilst absorbing your surrounds… Welcome to paradise!
(Additional campout fees apply).

The Wilderness Option
Explore the pristine backcountry streams of the Southern Lakes area.
Rivers only accessible by helicopter or water taxi providing a true sense of isolation amongst a picturesque setting.
These gin – clear waters allow unsurpassed sight fishing opportunities for above average sized brown and rainbow trout.
Available as a day trip, or multi day adventure, where accommodation is by way of tenting, or backcountry cabin.

Non Fishing Partners
I am happy to suggest a selection of activities to entertain non-fishing partners. Queenstown is the proclaimed "adventure capital of New Zealand" and jet boating, bunjy jumping and whitewater rafting are only a phone call away.
For the less adventurous I can arrange a wine tour, taking in a variety of Central Otago's finest vineyards, or maybe an unforgettable excursion into "Middle Earth" on a "Lord of the Rings" trilogy tour. There is an endless array of entertainment at our fingertips, so feel free to contact me for recommendations.

Enquire about tuition – Fly-Fishing or Fly Tying – Groups or Individuals

Welcome To Southland – The Brown Trout Capital Of The World!