Mataura River Fishing

Upper Mataura maps:
Access map
Access map with topography

Lower Mataura maps:
Access map
Access map with topography

LINZ topographic maps: 1:50,000 (260 series)

• View the MetService weather forecast for Gore.
• View river level, rainfall and river flow at several points on the Mataura River.

31 Jan 2010: This New York Times travel article featured the Mataura River: A Long Road to World Class Fly Fishing in New Zealand

Regarded by many as New Zealand's top dry fly water, the Mataura is a premier fishery offering over 150kms of fishable water. The prolific hatches of mayfly distinguish this river as trout will rise freely at all times of the day for this delicacy. It also has some great evening rises during the evenings in the warmer months.

The river generally runs clean and clear and mostly flows over open land and through stands of willows that line the banks.

This river presents a number of very different faces to the angler and is hard to describe as a single fishery. What is true however is that it is one of the best dry fly waters along almost its entire  length.

A lonf Riad to Woreld Calss Fly Fishing in New Zealand

Description: Fairlight to Cattle Flat

Although not as heavily fished as the lower reaches, the conditions here are excellent providing anglers with small stream fishing for a high population of freely rising fish. The river in this section usually runs clear between open grassy banks and stands of willows. Consequently there is good shelter for the fish which will come out to feed during the day knowing that they are a short dash to the safety of cover if disturbed. .

The river flows over a shingle and sand bed and is a series of gentle rapids puntuated by pools and long gliding runs. Often there is a deep section along one bank that will invariably hold fish when they are not out in the runs feeding. Each section must be approached very carefully as the fish will lie and feed in some very shallow water and wil;l dart for cover if disturbed.

You can easily cross the river at the tail of most pools, although watch for slippery stones. While fishing during the day will challenge the best of anglers, there is often an excellent rise in the evenings where the pools become alive with feeding fish. During these evening rises the fish can be less spooky but will often still feed selectively.

Fish numbers and size

0.75-2.5kg

Access

The section between Parawa and above Garston meanders across farmland close to SH 6.

Above Garston from SH6, you can gain across private farmland. Between Garston and Athol access to the willow-lined river is easy to access across farmland.

See the Upper Mataura access map

Description - Cattle Flat to Mataura

This stretch of slow-flowing river is the most popular with anglers as it offers many kilometres of open fishing. During the season these fish rise freely to take mayflies and so this can be described as ideal dry fly water.

The river is larger in this section though still has the same character as the upper reaches. It flows between grassy banks and through stands of willow tress. Often the river will have cut a deep trench along one bank where fish can shelter when not feeding. If no fish are seen it is often productive to try a deeply sunk nymph threough these sections or even swing a wee-wet across and down.

The river flows over a shingle and stone bed in a series of riffles and pools. There are a number of long runs where fish can be found feeding actively at any time of the day in the foam line or even in the shallow water. When distrubed however they will make for the nearest cover.

The river becomes much more substantial close to Gore and flows over a stoney bottom and between some rocky outcrops. During warm evenings there can be excellent rises as pools that appeared to be devoid of fish a few hours earlier suddenly come to life.

The stretch from Wyndham to Gore Road Bridge is especially favoured and easy enough to wade in.

The section upstream from Mataura is one of the few sections on the river that access is difficult due to the river flowing through a steep sided gorge. Those who like a challenge and are resonably agile will be able to fish this area and are unlikely to see any other anglers.

Below Waikawa, the river enlarges with the extra flow of water and so wading becomes very difficult.

Fish numbers and size

There are high numbers of fish present in this section that average around 1.2 kgs though there are also many larger fish present.

Access

A number of roads give good river access especially where they cross the river. These include the Ardlussa, Waipounamu, Pyramid and Otamita bridges; Monaghan’s Beach; and Ardlussa-Cattle Flat road.

See the Upper Mataura access map

Description - Mataura to the mouth

The river gets deeper here and the water quality is not as good, particularly below Mataura Island.

As with the higher reaches, fish still rise freely in this section and so it still provides excellent fly water for both the dry fly and nymph enthusiast. This section with its slower moving and larger volumn of water is also good for spin fishing. There are sections where it is difficult to access, especially just upsstream from the town of Mataura as the river flows between high rugged banks.

As the river gets close to the sea it becomes tidal and so really only suited to the spin and bait anglers.

Fish numbers and size

There are very large numbers of fish in this section with some up to 4.5kg.

Access

The road follows the river from Mataura to Gore so access is easy, particularly at Beattie’s Beach. There’s also good access at Gorge Road Bridge. On the west bank at Gorge Road township, Hamill’s Road takes you to a great spot.

Lower Mataura River access map

In general, small flies work better on the Mataura.

Nymphs: Pheasant Tail, Willow Grubs, Mataura Darter and emerger patterns that imitate mayflies.

Dry flies: Dad’s Favourite, Blue Dun, Adams(tied parachute-style) Twilight Beauty, Wickham's Fancy , Caddis, Coch-y-Bondhu, Dark Red Spinner

Wet flies / Streamers - Early season: Gosling. invicta and spider patterns such as a March Brown Mid-late season: Greenwell’s Glory (wet), Alexandra, Claret and Mallard and spider patterns

Spinners: Tobys, Mepps , Rapalas, small Veltic

Tributaries of the Mataura River include:
- Waikaia River
- Waikaka River
- Mimihau River
- Mokoreta River

- Otamita Stream (view photos)

- Waimea Stream