The Nevis River is a remote high country river
that flows over barren tussock land and provides anglers with the
opportunity to fish for a reasonable population of brown trout in
a beautiful wild setting. A backcountry licence is required to fish
this water.
The Nevis
is a small to moderate sized river that flows over dry barren
high country along side the Remarkable Ranges. It flows over
a stone and shingle bed between tussuck lined banks. The water
is very cold and generally clear enough to spot the trout
in the pools. While fish numbers are not high, the size and
quality of the fish plus the stunning scenery make this one
of New Zealand's very special waters.
As from 1 October 2009 a backcountry
licence will be required to fish the Nevis River. This
is free of charge to whole season licence holders and can
be obtained from Otago Fish
and Game.
Upper reaches
Description
In the upper reaches the Nevis is quite
small running over a stone and shingle bed. The water is almost
always very clear and bitingly cold. Fish in this section
are very wary especially as the season progresses and the
fish become angler-shy. Consequently this area is best fished
early in the season before the main holiday times sees many
holiday makers decend on the river.
This section can be extremely frustrating
and at times appear barren of fish. As with all reasonable
sized fish however, they will find the best places to lie
and will only come out to feed when the time is right and
they feel safe.
Fish numbers and size
Trout numbers in the upper reaches are
low but the size of fish much bigger than in the lower reaches.
As the warmer weather progresses, many fish drop down stream.
In some of the headwater tributaries such as the Drummand,
Kingston Schoolhouse and Wrights Creeks there are a small
number of brook char.
Access
Access to this section is on New Zealand's
highest public road, the Cromwell-Nevis Road from Garston
(though it can also be reached from the Bannockburn end).
Note this is a "dry weather" raod and really only
suitable for 4 wheel drive vehicles).
Middle reaches
Description
The middle reaches are the most popular
tho fish and hold the best numbers of fish. From Nevis Crossing
(where the road first meets the river when coming from Bannockburn)
up to the middle gorge, there are sevral kilomtres of fishable
water. The river flows over a stable rock bed and is a series
of riffles and deep fish holding pools.
A few kilometres upstream from Nevis Crossing,
the river enters the middle gorge for approximately 4 kms.
This is a difficult section to fish though during the height
of summer when water levels are lower (and holiday makers
are around) it can be a good place to try for any fit and
reasonably energetic angler. It is a series of faster water
and deep pools.
Fish numbers and size
Fish numbers in this section are moderate
with there being many good fish. The fish in the gorge area
are more plentful but on average smaller.
Access
Access is via the Cromwell - Nevis Road.
Lower reaches
Description
The lower section below Nevis Crossing
is through a largely inaccessible gorge - the domain of experienced
kayakers who want an adreniline rush. There are good fish
in this section, especially as the season progresses but it
is only for those who want the challenge of fishing the most
remote and challenging water.
Fish numbers and size
Good fish numbers in this section if you
can get at them.
Access
Almost impossible
Methods
This is fly fishing territory.
During the season fish respond well to nymphs and as theseason
progresses will readily rise to dry flies.
Recommended tackle
Rods capable of casting weights
5 - 7 lines (remember that wind can be a problem in this high
wild valley). long leaders and muted coloured floating or intermediate
lines.
There a number of very small
tributaries in the upper reaches that can be worth exploring
to see if you can snare a rare Brook Char. These include the
Kingston, Drummand, Wrights and Schoolhouse Creeks.
