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Undoubtedly fly fishing for the wild Brown and Rainbow Trout of New Zealand’s South Island is challenging yet incredibly rewarding. New Zealand and the South Island rivers boast some of the best dry fly and sight fishing in the world. This is not just fly fishing this is hunting trout and it will test your stalking and casting ability like never before. An expert guided trip is highly recommended when fly fishing New Zealand’s South Island and vast local knowledge will take you a long way toward your dream fly fishing experience.
Take a peek at what’s included in the ULTIMATE SOUTH ISLAND ADVENTURE.
Jake Berry and Southern Rivers Fly Fishing will cater for anglers of all levels. But even as an experienced fly fisher it is good to have your A-Game on when you hit New Zealand’s rivers, as many anglers have witnessed how unforgiving New Zealand trophy trout are. Guide Jake at Southern Rivers Fly Fishing offers a range of fly fishing trip options from single day fly fishing expeditions, overnight multi day wilderness fly fishing expeditions through to the exhilarating heli fishing trips. Whatever you decide to do Jake and Southern Rivers Fly Fishing will take care of you from the moment you step off the plane to the moment you reluctantly step back on it.
When travelling to New Zealand for your dream fly fishing adventure don’t leave things to chance. Jake and Southern Rivers Fly Fishing offer no obligation quotes for multi day fly fishing and scenic trips. All your questions about fly fishing the South Island of New Zealand will be answered and the process of planning your trip made seamless. Everybody is unique and has individual expectations of their New Zealand fly fishing adventure. Prices will be customised to these expectations and all aspects of your trip will be planned down to the last detail.
New Zealand fishing licences are additional to guide rates. Your licence options can be found on the Fish and Game NZ website or your guide will assist with this information.
The New Zealand fly fishing season runs from October 1st- May 31st, with the exception of some winter fishing rivers. With the back country opening from November 1st- May 31st. Early in the season rivers fish well with high numbers of trout still holding after spawning through the winter months. Trout have had little fly fishing pressure and can be more willing to take a fly. This is a great time to catch large trophy fish that have had little fishing pressure. The only thing that may dampen this pre christmas period is the weather as it can be unsettled and unforgiving. But don’t let this put you off as temperatures are mild and in the mid to late 20’s with the fishing options plentiful and electrifying.
After the Christmas period temperatures start to heat up and the weather usually settles into a regular pattern that works in favor of the fly fisherman. Through the months of January, February and March the big terrestrial dry flies start bombing the waters and this means one thing. Big dry flies and big trout. It is and exciting time of the season and is a sight fisherman’s paradise with low river flows and the clearest water in the world, don’t forget your Polaroid’s. April and May are like the hidden gem of the fly fishing calendar. Still mild (15-25 degree day time temps) and very settled it provides excellent fly fishing at river mouths and into the upper stretches of these rivers. Trout are moving to these areas in preparation for winter spawning runs and can still be very active on the surface as well as feasting on the large runs of whitebait at the river mouths that run into some of New Zealand’s South Island lakes.