Trout fishing New Zealand

Fish New Zealand Charming Creek Adventures West Coast New Zealand

What To Catch and How

Fish Species: Big Rainbow and Brown Trout, Salmon and Kahawai!
Fly-Fishing: New Zealand's claim to fame!
Spin and Bait Fishing: Can be very successful!
Licences: Daily, weekly or whole season!
Warning: It is challenging!

Brown trout fly fishing in gin clear waters

This brown trout is waiting for you!

Fish Species
Big Rainbow and Brown Trout, Salmon, Kahawai and huge Eels!

The type of fish caught varies between the North and South Island. Rainbow Trout are most prolific up North whereas Brown Trout dominate the South Island. There is some good sport to be had fishing in South Island rivers for Salmon and both islands for Kahawai, a very fast and strong fish.

Brown Trout are regularly caught weighing between 2 and 8 lb. and Rainbow Trout average 2 to 6 lb. Kahawai range from 2 to 7 lb. and Salmon grow from 6 to 20 lb. These weights are typical ranges, but larger fish are encountered if you know where to go.

Fly-Fishing
New Zealand's claim to fame is the size of trout to be caught in gin-clear waters. The name of the game is to spot the trout, choose an approach and cast to the visible fish, presenting them with dry flies and nymphs. Let me tell you, it is very adrenaline pumping exciting stuff to cast to these sighted monsters weighing anywhere from 2 to above 10 pounds.

"You will be rewarded with memories you will be dreaming
and talking about for years to come"!

A nice Kahawai landed after a big fight

This is in contrast to fly-fishing without actually seeing the fish, often practiced with wet flies or streamers. Please don't think that blind casting isn't practiced here in New Zealand, it is. There are lots of spots on both islands where you can just access the waters, begin blind fishing and have success.

Spin and Bait Fishing
These methods can be practiced successfully all year round with a wide variety of baits, lures and flies. Blind casting is usually used for spin and bait fishing, covering a lot of water. Salmon and Kahawai are best fished with spin equipment, but fly-fishing can also be very productive. Check the rules of the waters you intend to fish to make sure you are allowed to practise your method of choice. Some rivers and lakes are restricted to certain methods.

Licences
Fresh water fishing licences are available throughout New Zealand and can be obtained from sports shops and visitor centres. This license is valid everywhere throughout the country, except the Taupo region, where you must buy a local licence. You can purchase a daily, weekly or whole-season sports fishing licence.

Warning

Typical West Coast Rainbow

The fishing in New Zealand is predominantly about quality not quantity. As a general rule, the bigger the fish, the fewer there are and vice versa. The fish populations in some rivers are not as numerous as in other parts of the world, but the average fish size is something else!!! Some anglers who have not been to New Zealand have unrealistic expectations. No matter what you have read and watched on videos about New Zealand fishing, the trout over here seldom hook themselves. Due to the extreme clarity of the water some of the fishing can be technically difficult.

The fact is that fishing in a new area, using a new method targeting very wily wild fish can be a very challenging experience. This is one of the reasons why professional fishing guides are wide spread in New Zealand. They know their area extensively and have all the skills needed to convince most elusive trout.

Fishing with a professional guide can create
the opportunities that dreams are made of!

Two boys are sitting on the river's edge fishing. One turns to the other
and says, "Do fish grow fast?" The other boy replies "I think so,
every time my Dad tells the story about the one that got away
it grows another inch".

<-- Back

Next -->

Deutsch | Francais

© Charming Creek Adventures Fly Fishing Tours, Rowan Cottage, 10 Scarborough Tce, Hanmer Springs, New Zealand
Enquiries to: Mobile: 021 211 3462 Phone: 03 315 7668 / 03 782 1889 Fax: 03 315 7668 Email: serge@fishnewzealand.com