Korimako Lodge – the fly fishing

Fly fishing in New Zealand is memorable and rewarding. If your idea of heaven is wily large trout, uncrowded rivers and fabulous scenery then you will thoroughly enjoy our world class fishing – an amazing New Zealand experience. Relax in comfort at Korimako Lodge after an enjoyable day on the river.

The fishing is usually dry fly or nymphing to sighted large brown trout. To anglers unused to this style of fishing, which involves spotting and stalking fish, we recommend using a fishing guide to maximise your angling experience. Most anglers practice catch and release, though keeping a fish for the table is considered acceptable as long as it is not one of the prime breeding stock ie bigger than 6 pounds. Most fish you will catch will be in the 3 to 4 pound range, with the chance of a 6 or 7 pounder, and on a really good day you might get chance to outsmart a 9 to 10 pound monster!

The Buller River has dozens of tributaries. Several of which, including the Matakitaki, are considered separate trout fisheries in their own right. It is also possible on a day’s excursion to fish on the renowned Motueka and Grey River systems. Helicopter fly ins into Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Parks open up even more opportunities.

Fishing with Guides is teamwork at its best – spotting fish, especially in poor light, is what their eyes have been trained for. When you walk up the river with them, they go on point like good bird dogs, often seeing fish that you would have easily missed. Then you just need to clamber down the river bank and quietly move into a good casting position and work with your guide as he offers expert advice on the best way to outwit that fish! One thing’s for sure – two people can catch more fish than one.

We can organise a guide for you.

More on techniques and the fishing experience

Fishing for New Zealand’s trout often requires skills and techniques unfamiliar to most anglers. It is sight fishing at its best, requiring adaptation: changing your clothes and altering your line colour; pacing like a heron along the river’s edge visually searching water as clear as crystal for telltale signs of the presence of a trout; creeping up behind fish to gain the best position for a cast; changing flies in a quick rotation. All just to hook the fish!

In many waters where the bigger trout hang out, there are relatively few fish. This means a lot of barren water to blind fish if you are thinking of covering every available inch. However, the trout often hang out in shallow water, well away from covered banks and trees, preferring the camouflage of rippled water and dappled stones. Polarised fishing glasses to minimise glare are essential.

Carefully stalking, mostly from the banks but sometimes while wading, the guides search for clues to a trout’s existence. Maybe a head on a light rock, a movement or flash, a shadow out of place or a colour variation or maybe the dark line of a tail. Spotting takes a practiced eye and the eyes of your local guide are invaluable.

The advantage of clear water, which makes spotting possible, is also a major handicap. Don’t wear a light coloured vest, a white hat or use bright yellow and orange lines. Wear a wide brimmed green hat and green vest, and use only dull coloured lines.

Stalking trout is the best way to fish water with small populations of relatively undisturbed large trout. It is most effective on bright sunny days or on smaller streams with brush or high bank backgrounds. While it can mean walking long distances, it regularly produces the maximum result from a minimum of water. It requires patience and skill, but it is a truly fascinating and fun way to fish.

The Fishing Calendar for our area

October

Spring weather throughout New Zealand, but still cool. Opening of fishing season for streams and rivers in most districts. Streams with resident browns are becoming very active. Excellent fly fishing with weighted nymphs in most mountain and lowland streams and rivers.

November

The start of summer weather, with longer days but sometimes a little unsettled. Good dry fly hatches, particularly in the late afternoon with emerger patterns but nymphing remains generally more productive. The trout are eager and many guides believe this is the best fishing month of the year for browns.

December

One of the least crowded months to fish New Zealand waters up until Christmas Day. Great weather and excellent fishing in all lakes, streams and rivers with nymphs and dries. The trout in all streams are active throughout the day and at this time the browns seem least wary.

January

The main New Zealand summer holidays and so the country is relatively crowded. This is a good month for a float trip before rivers reach their lowest levels and a time to try and fish more remote waters – best month for helicopter fly ins using big dries for big fish!

February

The most popular month for fly fishermen to visit New Zealand. Generally the weather is hot and settled. Streams are at their lowest, wading is easy and the trout most visible. However these conditions demand careful stalking and a delicate presentation with small nymphs and dries. Some fish are becoming selective. A good month for camping out or that overnight helicopter trip. Good evening hatch.

March

Weather becoming cooler in the South Island. Mountain streams still fishing well for browns with dries. Trout are in peak condition and so a good month for trophies.

April

The start of Autumn and the last month of fishing in most districts. Some early morning frosts. Usually the driest month of the year and so river levels are low. Excellent dry fly fishing for browns on many streams with big attractor patterns during the middle of the day.