The Deep South Fishing Itinerary

Christchurch-Rakaia Gorge

From Christchurch airport take SH 1 south for approx 10kms and then turn off onto SH 73 to Darfield. At Darfield take Highway 72 to the Rakaia Gorge. This is one of the best salmon fisheries in the country (though should the salmon not be running, you could carry on further south to the settlement of Arundel which is a good base to fish the Rangitata river).

Rakaia Gorge-Omarama

Continue south on SH 72 to Geraldine and then turn inland onto SH 79 to Fairlie and then take SH 8 over Burkes Pass to Twizel and then onto Omarama. This small township provides an excellent base to fish a number of lakes and rivers in the area including the highly recommended Ahuriri River. And if it is a trophy size trout of over 20lbs that you want, don't ignore the Tekapo canals where the fish around the salmon farms grow huge.

Omarama-Kingston

Follow SH 8 south to cross the Clutha river at Cromwell and then take SH 6 to Queenstown. Follow around the eastern shore of beautiful Lake Wakatipu to Kingston on the southern shore of the lake. This provides an excellent base to explore the upper and middle reaches of the famous Mataura River with its large freely rising trout population, a favourite of dry fly enthusiasts.

Kingston-Mossburn

From Kingston continue south to the crossroads at Five Rivers and there take SH 97 which joins up SH 94 at Mossburn. is on the wonderful Oreti River where the large fish in the clear runs will both excite and challenge your skills.

Mossburn-Manapouri or Tuatapere

Continue on SH 94 to Te Anau where you will join SH 95 towards Lake Manapouri. If there has been a dry spell and the Waiau River between these lakes is running low this section can provide spectacular fishing for a huge population of brown and rainbow trout. If the river is in full flow continue past Manapouri to Tuatapere which gives good access to the lower reaches of the Waiau and a number of other remote lakes and rivers in this stunning section of the country.

Tuatapere-Gore

From Tuatapere continue south on SH 99 towards Invercargill and then take SH 98 to Dacre where it joins SH 1 to Gore. Gore is often called the brown trout capital of the world such is the quality of the fishing on the local Mataura River. This area provides some of the best dry fly fishing to be found in New Zealand.

Gore-Christchurch

From Gore take SH 1 north to Christchurch and, if you have time, stop at one of the major river mouths such as the Rangitata or Rakaia and try your luck for some of the huge salmon that surge up these rivers during the summer months.