The Top 20 Trophy Trout Waters in New Zealand - a work in progress!
A collection of some troutfishing articles.
Jock's Stream - a story about farm practices and their effect on waterways
Where to catch a trophy trout - a review of the best region in New Zealand where there is a good chance of catching a trout bigger than 10lb (4.54kg)
April Fishing in the North Island - a fishing excursion through some of the best fishing areas in the Central North Island - from Murupara to Napier
Fishy Walks in the Nelson Lakes - how to keep the spouse happy and combine fishing with hiking
If you are not catching any trout -
read how one reader changed all that:
"I just had a couple of great weekends on the Tauranga-Taupo River.
On my previous 2 visits I had never caught a fish. However I went further
upstream, as you recommended, and located a good run of fresh fish using the Walking the Dog technique as detailed in your book -
Catch That Trout - North Island.
My friend and I caught 6 in the one spot in 15 minutes as a result.
In all I caught 19 fish in 2 days, which certainly improves my average for the river.
Many thanks.
Tight lines,
Stephen Headey"
Massey
Tell me your best fishing story that was the result of a tip from one of my books, like the story above.
The best story wins you the choice of any one of my four troutfishing books - see them all here.
Just email me here with your tale.
Does the following sound familiar?
I fish because I love to:
- because I love the places where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful, and hate the places where crowds of people are found which are invariably ugly
- because of all the television commercials, cocktail parties, and assorted social posturing that I can escape when fishing
- because, in a world where most men seem to spend their lives doing things they hate, my fishing is always an endless source of delight and an act of small rebellion
- because trout do not lie or cheat and cannot be bought or bribed or impressed by power but respond only to quietude and humility and endless patience
- because I suspect that men are travelling this way for the last time and I don't want to waste the trip
- because, mercifully, there are no 'In Boxes' on trout waters
- because only in the woods can I find solitude without loneliness
- because Merlot out of a plastic mug always tastes better by a river
- because maybe one day I might catch a rainbrown
- and, finally, not because I regard fishing as so terribly important but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are equally unimportant - and not nearly so much fun.
with apologies to Robert
Fishing a small Hawkes Bay stream
New Zealand Trout Fishing
Many of you will have heard of the fabulous trout fishing to be had in New Zealand. Tales of 5 kg trout, hooked in a clear, pristine river flowing through a bush-clad primeval valley, tend to enhance the urge to get across the ditch and see if these stories are fact or fiction. But when is the best time to go? What tackle do you need to take? And where should you go? Let’s address these questions and see if we can provide you with the answers.
Tackle
Rods
The selection of what rod to bring will naturally be dictated by the size of the water being fished. Big rivers generally need strong rods capable of casting heavy flies, often into strong winds. Small streams demand light rods that can land a fly on the water with the minimum of disturbance. Between these extremes there is a huge range of rod options.
For lakes and large rivers a minimum length of rod would be 2.75 metres (9 ft). A 7- or 8-weight rod will be the best option as the flies may be heavily-weighted or bulky, like a cicada. Most of the rivers in the North Island can be successfully fished with a 6- or 7-weight rod. Even when the wind increases, a 7-weight line will still enable fishing to continue between gusts. The most common rod used in the South Island would be one that can carry a 5- or 6-weight line. With the lighter line it is possible to fish to wary trout and the heavier line will come in handy when a wind springs up, as so often happens in New Zealand.
Lines
Brightly-coloured lines are an advantage on large rivers like the Tongariro as the bright colour is much easier to see on the water. It is then more obvious when it is necessary to mend a line to ensure the dead drift that is the basis of blind nymphing.
Below the 7-weight, your floating lines should be a neutral colour like grey or olive as the neutral colour is less likely to scare fish.
Apparel
Clothes should be a dull colour and you always need to be prepared for dramatic changes in climatic conditions. If you think the temperature changes quickly in Melbourne, wait till you strike a southerly change in Te Anau! Always take some warm clothing and a waterproof parka, if rain is threatening.
Many New Zealand anglers wear shorts and polypropylene leggings in summer. This is fine until you encounter gorse, blackberry or matagouri, any of which will make a mess of your polypropylene longs. Shorts on their own are not a good idea, as the end of the day will see you scratched, bitten and probably sunburnt to boot. A better bet might be polar fleece trousers which are light but offer good protection.
Waders
Winter is the only time you will need to wear waders in NZ as they are essential for winter fishing. For autumn and spring a pair of lightweight, stocking foot breathable waders are useful.
Wading boots
Felt-soled boots are essential on the slippery beds of New Zealand rivers and studded felt soles are even better. Ankle-high protection is essential when walking on loose shingle as a turned ankle might curtail fishing for the day.
Other items worth bringing are a tramping stick, polarised sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.
When to come?
The normal fishing season is from October 1 until April 30. There are extensions in many areas and it is possible to fish all year round. The best fishing regions for the different seasons are:
Spring: North Island - Hawkes Bay, Rotorua, Wairarapa.
South Island – Nelson Lakes, North Canterbury
Summer: North Island – Central Plateau, Manawatu
South Island – West Coast, Fiordland, Southland
Autumn: North Island – Hawkes Bay, Poverty Bay, Rotorua, Taupo
South Island – Nelson Lakes, North Canterbury
Winter: North Island - Taupo
Where to fish?
Mountain rivers
Mountain rivers are free-flowing wild rivers originating high in the mountains which run from the Bay of Plenty down the centre of the both islands. The main weather pattern is from the south west so it is the western side of these mountains that have higher rainfalls. Accordingly, the rivers flowing to the west are more prone to flooding and trout populations can vary considerably over the years.
Rivers flowing to the east can often have a braided nature thanks to the width of the riverbed and its gravel bed. The trout population of braided rivers tends to be very mobile as their habitat is ever-changing. The trout will move up and down the river seeking stability and respite from the wildly-fluctuating environment. They may find shelter in tributaries or in the headwaters. They often go to sea to feed or to escape the unstable river environment. At certain times of the year they return and then large numbers of big sea-run trout will be found in the lower reaches of many Eastern rivers.
Lowland rivers
Lowland rivers rise in the foothills of the mountains and flow across the plains to the sea. The flow is usually a meandering one as the terrain is fairly flat, forcing the river to swing back and forth, seeking a path to the sea. This slower water suits brown trout as they instinctively seek out quieter-flowing water.
Lake-fed rivers
The stability of the lake-fed rivers means that some of the highest trout populations are to be found in such waters, like the outlet of Lake Sumner. You should always have one of these waters up your sleeve in case your first choice is unfishable because of rain.
Natural lakes
There are a large number of naturally-formed lakes of various sizes in the both islands with trout present in most lakes from Rotorua south. The volcanic lakes, like Taupo, are deep and cool, providing ideal trout habitat.
Artificial lakes and hydro-lakes
Many of the lakes created by hydro developments have resulted in some hugely successful fisheries. Lakes like Otamangakau, Dunstan and Aniwhenua provide outstanding fishing and ideal trout habitat. The stability of their controlled levels may be part of the reason and the likelihood that the steelhead strain of rainbow trout originally brought into New Zealand is particularly well suited to lake existence. For these fish, the large lakes are their ‘sea’ where they live until sexual maturity compels them to run up the rivers to spawn.
What will you catch?
The main freshwater fish are trout – brown and rainbow. They average around 1.5 kg with fish up to 5 kg caught every day. There are also salmon in the Eastern rivers of the South Island and land-locked salmon in many central South Island lakes.
Trout fishing etiquette
Catch and release is now the common practice as most anglers understand the importance of preserving the fishery. But if you want to keep one ‘for the pot’, that is quite acceptable. The worst transgression you can make is to start fishing in front of another angler – that will get you into heated arguments. Better to approach the other angler and ask where you can start fishing. The same goes for crossing private land – just ask the owner and you will rarely be refused permission.
Costs
A full year troutfishing licence will cost you around $80, with the monthly, weekly, daily licences priced proportionately. Motels are very good value, ranging from $50 in the smaller centres to $100 in places like Rotorua or Taupo. Trout fishing lodges range from $250 per night up to $1500 for the most luxurious. Rental cars vary from $50 to $100 per day, depending on size. Petrol is currently $1.40 per litre for 91 octane.
Hopefully this article, and the accompanying photos, have fired up your long held desire to try trout fishing in New Zealand. You will not regret it; even if the fishing does prove to be as good as you hoped. Why? Because you will be blown away by the beauty of your surroundings. Catching a trout does not seem all that important when you are fishing in a place that looks like a set from Lord of the Rings. Then you will understand what Robert Travers meant when he said ‘perhaps fishing is just an excuse to be near rivers.’
Ron Giles where he loves most -
by a river!
Fishing the Little Wanganui River
West Coast
South Island
Opening Day!
On a Hawkes Bay river
Sea-run brown trout
Chris battling a 7.5 lb rainbow
on the Tongariro River
Lake Alexandrina
