Fishing & Fish Tales

Getting unlimited access to the best water is never a problem on the South Island. Kiwi farmers and ranchers typically welcome courteous anglers onto their property, and No Trespassing signs are virtually unknown. It is considered polite to request permission at farmhouses before crossing fences to fish, but permission is almost never refused. We request that you try to be a good guest when fishing private land, including leaving gates as you found them, not harassing stock (farmers are especially sensitive about this during the spring lamb season), not leaving litter behind, and practicing catch and release.

In addition, New Zealand Fish and Game has numerous posted public angler access spots all along the nearby waterways of Southland and Otago. Even near towns the fishing is uncrowded, and running into another angler on most of our favorite rivers is a rare event. If you do run into another angler give them a wide berth, there are always miles and miles of other vacant pools that you can have all to yourself. Fishing licenses are available locally in Gore and currently cost the same for residents and visitors, about $50 US ($85 Kiwi) for a full year license. Fishing season runs from October 1 to April 30 (covering the austral spring, summer and fall seasons) on most of the local rivers around Waipahi River Home; on a few nearby rivers holding mostly rainbows, the season starts on November 1 and goes to the end of May. Year-round fishing is available in some lakes and in the lower (tidal) parts of most major rivers. Fishing is legal 24 hours a day, and many Kiwis swear by night fishing- big streamers or splashy surface bugs can be very effective on big browns at night.

The "independence" concept of Waipahi River Home is specifically aimed at experienced fly fishermen with at least moderate casting and stalking skills. Although there are a few nearby areas described in the house guidebook where even novices can catch fish, our fishing adventures are specifically tailored for knowledgeable anglers who prefer to do it on their own. A confident, competent angler doesn't need expensive guides and lodges to have an outstanding fishing experience on the South Island. We can set you up with local guides if you desire it, but our local guidebook will give experienced trout anglers all the information they need to have a successful and memorable trip.

The house guidebook was written by us, based on our own fishing experience throughout the region. Included is specific access information to dozens of the major fisheries within several hours driving distance of the house. Alternate sites for all kinds of weather and river conditions are also suggested. The guide goes into detail on local hatches, fly patterns, how to use and how to tie them, and tested local techniques and strategies. This combination of local knowledge, freedom, and economy, is the key to the Waipahi River Home experience.

We request that the guidebook be returned to the house after use and ask that it not be copied or shared with anyone not in your party. In addition to the house guidebook, we also have a library of South Island trout fishing guides at the house, as well as detailed road and topographical maps of the whole area for your use while visiting. These maps are cross-referenced with the house guidebook, so you can quickly and easily find your way to any of our favorite spots. We maintain a guest fishing log in the home that allows you to record your experiences for other clients, as well as allowing you to benefit from the insights gained by earlier groups of guests.

Those folks who prefer to concentrate only on their fishing can consider one of our hosted trips. We can arrange for you to arrive to a home fully stocked with food and drink, home cooked meals, fishing licenses, and the week's best flies. Hosted trips are available only by special arrangement.

The Fish and the Rivers

The South Island is famous for its wild brown trout. Browns in the 4-6 pound range are routine, and smaller fish of 1-3 pounds are abundant. Across from the house, the Waipahi River holds high numbers of browns of up to 5 pounds, and averaging 2-3. These browns are usually willing to come for a dry fly. The Waipahi is considered to be one of the best (if not the best) of the small rivers in the Southland region, and is renowned locally as a dry fly fishing destination. At least 10 miles of this low-gradient, meandering spring creek-like river can be reached on foot or by short 5 minute drives from the house. During the middle part of dry summers the Waipahi has extensive aquatic weed growth- large fish can still be hooked, but like any productive spring creek, landing them in the weeds can be difficult.

The Pomahaka River can be reached in just a few minutes driving time. The Pomahaka has varied water, ranging from slow stretches running through farmland in the lower reaches, to beautiful pools and runs flowing through gorges and forests in the middle section, to an upper section that runs through New Zealand high country tussock meadows. The Pomahaka holds lots of resident browns throughout its length (average fish are 2-7 pounds), and is also famed for its sea run browns that enter the river in February and March. These sea runs can reach a large size- fish of 15 pounds and more have been recorded. The Pomahaka also has very little pressure, and we almost never see other fishermen there. Fish are caught during mayfly and caddis hatches on both nymphs and dries, and stonefly nymphs are also very effective in the faster upper reaches.

Among the most famous dry fly fishing destinations in New Zealand is the Mataura River, which is about 15 minutes away from the house. There are nearly 80 miles of fishable water that Waipahi River Home guests can reach easily. The browns of the Mataura typically range from 1 to 8 pounds, and are heavily focused on the mayfly hatches that this river is renowned for. Pods of rising fish can be spotted and targeted almost daily throughout the fishing season, when water and weather conditions are right.

Although some days the "mad Mataura rise" (as it is known locally) can be easy, at other times these browns can be selective and unpredictable. The key to success on the Mataura is figuring out what life stage of the mayflies the fish are feeding on- at times there are resident nymphs, swimming nymphs coming up to emerge, emergers, duns, and egg-laying and spent spinners all on the water at the same time. Groups of fish or even individual fish often key specifically onto one particular mayfly life stage, making fishing the Mataura a fascinating puzzle.

Mayfly hatches on the Mataura are reliable and predictable, except on very windy days. And even under these conditions, fishing nymphs under an indicator through the riffles can be productive. Because of its fame, the Mataura gets more pressure than most local rivers, but you will seldom have a problem finding miles of open water even on holiday weekends. The density of fish populations in this river means that you may spend an entire day focused on a single pod of dozens of rising browns in one pool.
There is enough prime water within 2 hours of the Waipahi River Home for a lifetime of fishing. Although the waters closest to the house hold mostly browns, trophy rainbows can also be found in areas within easy driving distance. Other major rivers within 1 1⁄2 hours of the home include the Mararoa and Oreti, both large rivers with many miles of road access that offer large browns and rainbows. The tributaries of Lake Te Anu such as the Eglinton and Upukeroro and other nearby rivers such as the Whitestone and Mararoa hold resident rainbows that can reach 10 pounds, although fish in the 2-7 pound range are more common. Lake run rainbows typically enter tributary streams to spawn in the austral spring (October-November) and remain there through December or January. These large lake run rainbows can provide steelhead-like action. The Upukeroro is famous for its early run of big pre-spawn rainbows from Lake Te Anu, which often begin arriving after the first rains in early May. The upper Whitestone is a deceptively small stream that can be easily crossed, but where the fish grow exceptionally large. Browns as well as many rainbows are in the 3-8 pound range.

New Zealand High country streams are characterized by having a low density of very large fish, often in the 5-12 pound size class. These fish are found only in the very best holding lies. Most of the water is empty, so you need to walk a mile or more between prime pools. Each pool can hold one or a few large trout. These small high country streams offer an opportunity to try Kiwi style sight-fishing for spotted fish, although we have also found that blind-fishing with streamers is a highly effective technique in these alpine areas. The scenery of snow-capped mountain peaks, ancient beech rainforests and tussock meadows adds to the mystique of these special rivers.

The near-desert rivers of Central Otago offer yet another kind of South Island fishing, and some can be reached in less than an hour from the house. A particular favorite is the Taieri, one of the longest rivers in New Zealand, which flows across the Maniototo plain. Browns of 1-6 pounds are abundant, and late summer mayfly hatches here rival those of the Mataura. Nymph fishing with Hare's Ear or green caddis imitations is also highly productive, as is streamer fishing. When the coastal rivers are socked in under cloud, Central Otago with its California-like climate is a great alternative, as it is usually sunny and 5-10 degrees warmer there. The upper Clutha below Lake Wanaka is also among the best known of South Island rivers, as hatches of caddis flies (the Kiwis call them sedges) occur nearly every evening and well into dark. The numbers of rising fish on this stretch of the Clutha can be staggering, with literally thousands of browns feasting on the caddis hatch every evening. Caddis hatches happen right at dark and well into the night on many other South Island rivers, including the Pomahaka, Waipahi, and Mataura.

Gear and Flies

Fishing the South Island doesn't require any special equipment. 4-6 weight rods are perfect, and are capable of landing most big browns and rainbows. Reels do need a decent drag system with plenty of backing. When fishing, bring along both a standard double-taper or weight forward floating line (which serves most of the time), and an extra spool with a fast-sinking line for lakes or fishing streamers in big fast water. Light weight waders are good to bring along, although it is seldom cold during the summer fishing season and you can usually fish wet with just shorts and wading boots. Good polarized glasses are a must. A well-equipped vest with floatant, tippet and leaders, hook pliers, indicators, sunscreen, and insect repellent rounds out the list of needed gear. If you forget anything, flyfishing supplies are easily available at several well-stocked sporting goods stores in nearby Gore, which also sell licenses and flies.

We will also help you with fly selection and can send you a box of our favorite patterns if you don't want to tie your own. We have a complete fly tying desk at the house where you can make or modify whatever patterns are working best for you. During our trips to the South Island we have tested and refined a few patterns that we use most often. There are exhibits of both our own and traditional patterns on the wall in the house for you to copy if you like. Dry flies include standard attractors like Humpies, Deer or Elk Hair Caddis and Parachute Adams tied in sizes 18-12. Make sure you have some caddis adults and pupae in the same sizes, too. The mayflies of New Zealand are much less diverse than those of North America, and we have found that a few patterns cover virtually all of the hatches we've seen. A brownish nymph like a generic Hare's Ear, tan and light gray bodied emerger and dun patterns, and a spinner with a dark brown or mahogany body and spent wings, all in sizes 12-18, cover pretty much all the mayfly hatches you are likely to encounter. A set of New Zealand terrestrials, particularly beetles and willow grubs, can come in handy at times. Late summer hatches of craneflies (called daddy long-legs in New Zealand) make for very good dry fly fishing too.

A special feature of New Zealand dry fly fishing is the famous cicada hatch of mid-summer, usually centered around February. The most important cicadas (a grasshopper-like insect) for flyfishermen live in and hatch from the native tussock grasses- if the cicadas are around, you will know it by their loud screeching. Cicada fishing is best at the hottest part of the day, especially if there is some wind to blow these clumsy terrestrials into the water. Even the largest trout rise for these big bugs (size 6-10), and in tussock grass areas they are a sure bet at the right time of the season. Locals imitate them by simply spinning deer hair on a hook and trimming it to a vague beetle-like shape about 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 of an inch long. Foam-bodied cicadas (light yellow is good) also work well. If the fish are tuned into the cicadas, they are seldom very selective, and anything about the right size and color will work.

Nymphs are also fairly standard. Generic nymphs like Hare's Ear's and Prince patterns work well. Green or black stoneflies in sizes 12-8 can be deadly on fast, cold mountain water. Waterboatmen or backswimmers are a major part of the trout diet in slow rivers and weedy lakes, and browns will consume hundreds of these insects. One of our favorite patterns is a green caddis larva, which imitates the free-living (no cases) caddis that are abundant in rocky and pebbly stretches of South Island rivers. Tied with a curved caddis hook with either green or brown bodies, sizes 14-16, and fished weighted under an indicator near the bottom, these flies have accounted for many large fish in New Zealand. Yellow-green "willow grubs" are the larvae of the sawfly, found throughout the extensive areas of willow-lined riverbanks on the South Island. These tiny larvae (size 18-22) live in the overhanging willow branches and frequently fall into the rivers, where the trout are on the lookout for them.

Finally, streamers should not be ignored. In areas where fish have been pressured and have become educated to dries and nymphs, jerking a big weighted streamer along the bottom can often produce surprising results. We tie one particular streamer to imitate the native 2-4 inch sculpin-like "bully" baitfish that is one of our deadliest flies, and that seems to provoke the largest fish to attack. These bully streamers can catch fish even when nothing else will. Streamers can be especially effective in lakes, in big water, at night, or where fish cannot be seen and a searching pattern is needed, and can often be used to lure sulking fish out from their hiding places under willows or overhanging banks.

We are happy to help clients make sure they have a good, appropriate fly selection before they leave, either by selling you our own flies or recommending patterns to buy elsewhere. The house bench is available to allow you to tie your own in the evenings as well. Many tying materials are supplied (except you should bring your own hooks), although we welcome contributions of your favorite materials to the community tying bench. Feel free to use what you need but please leave leftover materials there for the next guests. Remember, you can bring any artificial tying materials into the country with you, but any natural products (fur or feathers) will be confiscated at customs. This applies only to tying materials, and not to completed flies (including those with natural materials). A good selection of fly tying materials and flies is also available nearby in Gore.