The Fishery

Overview

Southland is home to more rivers and streams than any other province in New Zealand.

Blessed with an abundance of productive spring creeks, freestone rivers, rain fed streams and lakes of many sizes, the Southland angler never has to travel far to experience a diverse range of waters, and these are the basis for some of the worlds finest trout fishing.

It is the trout these waters hold, both rainbow, and predominantly brown, which gives the Southland region its reputation as New Zealand’s premier fly-fishing destination.

The skilful sight fishing and 'match the hatch' techniques required to catch these fish draw much international interest each season, and many anglers visit in search of the ultimate fly-fishing experience.

While many of our rivers do not support the sheer numbers of fish found in many North Island waters, the opportunity to spot and stalk individual trout more than compensates for quantity.

Many of these fish are large – a 6-pound (24-inch) trout will fail to raise the eyebrows of an initiated local – although many would put the average size of the trout that we encounter at around 3 pound (18inches).

With the wide variety of waters available throughout the region, both backcountry and local there are more than enough angler days to fish each day of the season without covering the same productive beat twice!

"Welcome to Southland – The brown trout capital of New Zealand."

The Mataura
Undoubtedly the jewel of the South is the much acclaimed Mataura river. Providing over 250km of first class fly fishing the Mataura is home to extraordinary numbers of well conditioned, wild brown trout.
Awarded a water conservation order in 1996 for its outstanding fisheries and amenities values, the name Mataura has become synonymous with New Zealand dry fly fishing, and is our only true 'match the hatch' brown trout fishery.
With a stable pool – ripple – pool configuration throughout its length, the Mataura provides the optimum habitat for numerous invertebrate, including a massive population of deleatidium mayflies. It is these hatches which give the Mataura its deserved reputation as one of New Zealand’s most prolific brown trout rivers.

"Hatch driven"
Southlands lowland fishery can best be described as 'hatch driven'. That is, trout feeding behavior is largely dependant upon what food source is available in abundance at any one time.
Mayfly are present in large numbers throughout the season in both our lowland rivers and hill country streams, as are caddis, and chironomids in the right habitat. Other 'slack water' species such as snails, corixa, damsel and dragonflies are present in ponds and backwaters, as well as along the slower, weeded river margins. Trout will often 'cruise' for these and on certain rivers, some of the better fish will be found in these areas, out of the main stem.
Seasonal windfalls of terrestrials keep things exciting on top, with beetles, willow grub, cicada, hoppers and mice (yes, mice!) providing the angler with unsurpassed summertime surface action.
Small fish such as bullies, whitebait and smelt are sort after prey at times, and provide an highly nutritional mouthful for many, well conditioned fish. These are the bread and butter of many estuary dwelling trout, and allow massive weight gain over a relatively short time.
Needless to say, a sound understanding of local entomology and seasonal trout behavior is required to capitalize on many situations in the South.

Seasons and climate
1st October – 30th April for our lowland brown trout streams, and 1st November – 31st May for the high country "rainbow" rivers.
Mild temperatures are the norm in season, with an average temperature range of between 16 – 25 degrees Celsius.
New Zealand is in the Southern temperature zone, neither excessively hot, nor cold, and our seasons are reversed from the Northern Hemisphere.
Whilst Southland is a region of moderate rainfall (ave. annual rainfall 1037mm) it is possible in most circumstances to travel away from unfavorable weather, and a 30-minute drive may make all the difference.
It is this regular rainfall, which keeps our rivers in prime condition, and within the optimum temperature range for promoting trout growth and feeding behaviour.

Fishing calendar

Feb – Mar
Peak time for terrestrials. The high, mid summer temperatures stir the Cicada into flight, and one can do little wrong casting a size 8 deer – hair pattern upon our high country streams. The Southern Lakes tributaries come into their own, and although the low water will make the fishing a bit more difficult, a stealthy approach can result in a few large trout coming to the net. A popular time for international visitors. Popular flies; Simmons Attractor, Olive Cicada, Carty’s G.T, humpy, Para – Adams, Royal Wulff.