One Day Fishing Trips

4WD Fly Fishing
Your guide will pick you up from your Queenstown accommodation at a pre-arranged time. From here we will drive for up 1 to 2 hrs to take you to the waterways that will suit you and the weather / river conditions on the day. You will spend the day casting to stalked and sighted fish ranging in size from 3lbs – 5lbs, always with the possibility of seeing and hooking into much larger fish. The landscapes range from lush green farmland to open tussock lands to mountain beech forests and stunning mountain scenery with spring creeks, freestone rivers, alluvial rivers and alpine lakes to choose between.

The day is yours and there is no time limit – unless you have one!

This is inclusive of: 4wd transfers, fishing guide, equipment, lunch and non-alcoholic refreshments, digital images, safety and risk management, DoC concessions and GST.
NB. 2 persons maximum per guide

Heli Fly Fishing
Your guide will pick you up from your Queenstown accommodation at a pre-arranged time. From there we will fly you to the back country rivers that will best suit your abilities and the weather/river conditions of the day, enjoying the breath taking scenery on the way.  You will spend the day casting to stalked and sighted fish ranging in size from 3lbs – 5lbs, always with the possibility of seeing and hooking into much larger fish. If you don’t land the big one, the stunning mountain scenery and gin clear waters should be excellent rewards in themselves.
NB. The Helicopter drops us off at the beginning of the day and returns to pick us up at a later, pre-arranged time or via radio contact/satellite phone.

Please note this is for rivers in close proximity flying time to Queenstown – if you wish to fish in rivers further a field please ask for a quote.

This is inclusive of: 4wd transfers, fishing guide, equipment, lunch and non-alcoholic refreshments, digital images, safety, risk management, helicopter time, landing permits, DoC concessions and GST.
NB. 2 persons maximum per guide.


Heli Bonanza
Due to the nature of fishing, being able to dictate what the fish, weather and river conditions are going to do on any given day is in the realm of the gods, but to get around this we recommend heli bonanza fishing. This allows us to maximize your time and enjoyment by taking you to the rivers that are best suited for your abilities and the weather / river conditions on the day and show you how amazing New Zealand fishing can really be. En route to each location you will see a stunning variety of South Island scenery and maybe even spot a trophy trout from the air, then land to try to catch him.

This is an excellent option for the non-fishing partner to come and see some of what makes NZ so truly special – the fantastic scenery and surreal isolation.

NB. The helicopter will stay with us for the day allowing us to hop from river to river as the day goes on.

This is inclusive of: 4wd transfers, fishing guide, equipment, lunch and non-alcoholic refreshments, digital images, safety and risk management, helicopter time, landing permits, DoC concessions and GST.
NB. 2 persons maximum per guide.

A maximum of 2.5 hrs flying time has been allowed for – this gives a wide scope of exploration for both fishing and seeing the stunning scenic nature of NZ from the helicopter.

Multi Day Fly Fishing Trips

The B&B Fishing Trips
Day One - Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Queenstown or the Queenstown or Invercargill airports at a pre-arranged time. From there we will drive into Southland, you will spend the rest of the day casting to stalked and sighted fish ranging in size from 3lbs – 5lbs, always with the possibility of seeing and hooking into much larger fish. The landscapes range from lush green farmland to open tussock lands to mountain beech forests and stunning mountain scenery with spring creeks, freestone rivers and alluvial rivers to choose between. Your accommodation is a very comfortable 1930’s railway cottage in the heart of rural Southland at Lumsden. You will dine out at one of the local restaurants or have home cooked dinner depending on your desires and after dinner have the option to go and check out the evening rise on one of the famous local rivers.

Days 2 & 3 - The next morning your guide will cook up a real Kiwi breakfast and then you will be off to explore some of the other rivers in the area and the fishing they offer. Another fantastic lunch will see you through to finishing back in your Lumsden accommodation the end of another great day full of angling tales.

Days 4 - Return to Queenstown accommodation or the Queenstown or Invercargill airports

Some fishing is available on the transfer days dependant on time and place of arrival/departure.

This is inclusive of: 4wd transfers, fishing guide/host, equipment, non-alcoholic refreshments, digital images, safety and risk management, DoC concessions, bed & breakfast and GST. NB. 2 persons maximum per guide.


On the Road Fly Fishing Trips
Day One - Your guide will pick you up from your Queenstown accommodation or the Queenstown or Invercargill airports at a pre-arranged time. From here the lower half of the South Island is yours to explore with your knowledgeable guide taking you the best areas to fish given what the weather and river conditions are doing. The landscapes range from lush green farmland to open tussock lands to mountain beech forests and stunning mountain scenery with spring creeks, freestone rivers and alluvial rivers to choose between. You accommodation will be: motels, B&B’s, farm stays, back country huts as required dependant on where we travel to offer you the best fishing opportunities during your trip.

Day’s 2 -5 – Fishing as above.

Day 6 - Return to Queenstown accommodation or the Queenstown or Invercargill airports

NB.The length of these trips start at  6 days which include a transfer day either side of 4 days fishing (some fishing may be done on these transfers days depending on where and what time your arrival/departure time and place is).

This is inclusive of: 4wd transfers, fishing guide, equipment, digital images, safety and risk management, DoC concessions, accommodation, food and non-alcoholic refreshments and GST. NB. 2 persons maximum per guide.

The Luxury
Our guide will pick you up at a pre-arranged time. From there we will fly you to the back country river that will best suit you and the weather/river conditions on the day. You will spend the day casting to stalked and sighted fish ranging in size from 3lbs – 5lbs, always with the possibility of seeing and hooking into much larger fish. Your guide will show you different techniques to present the right fly to the fish at the right time to increase your chances of hooking up. A gourmet lunch will be served on the side of our beautiful stream and you will be introduced to the native flora and fauna of New Zealand. At the end of the day’s fishing the helicopter will transport you back to Queenstown with a high altitude landing en route to enjoy the scenery and a glass of our fabulous local wines. On arrival at your Luxury Lodge the masseuse will give you and your partner a 1hr massage each and then you can settle in, to enjoy some great hospitality in one of New Zealand’s finest Luxury Lodges. The next morning your guide will pick you up at a pre-arranged time and then it will be off to the helicopter and a different river to put your new found understanding of how to fish New Zealand waters to the test. Once again a gourmet lunch will be enjoyed on the side of the river. At the end of the day, the helicopter will take us back to Queenstown via a different route and another glass of wine.

This is a great option for a non-fishing partner to come on to see and enjoy what makes fly-fishing such a special sport for their partner. They can enjoy some stunning scenery, great food, and pleasant walking in the wilderness, with all the comforts of true luxury waiting at the lodge.

This is inclusive of: 4wd transfers, fishing guide, equipment, licenses, lunch and refreshments, digital images, safety and risk management, machine time, landing permits, DoC concessions,  massage, luxury accommodation and GST.
NB. 2 persons maximum per guide


Camp Out Fishing Trips

4WD Camp Out Fishing
Your guide will pick you up from your Queenstown accommodation. From here we will take you to the waterways that will suit you and the weather/river conditions on the day – flexibility is the key to success when camp out fishing. You will spend the day casting to stalked and sighted fish ranging in size from 3lbs – 5lbs, always with the possibility of seeing and hooking into much larger fish. The landscapes range from open tussock lands to mountain beech forests and stunning mountain scenery with spring creeks, freestone rivers, alluvial rivers and alpine lakes to choose between.
Accommodation will either be tent or backcountry huts depending on the fishing location.

This is for 2 days fishing and one night camp out.

This is inclusive of: 4wd transfers, fishing guide, all equipment, food and non-alcoholic refreshments, digital images, safety and risk management, DoC concessions and GST.
NB. 2 persons maximum per guide

Helicopter Camp Out Fishing
Your guide will pick you up from your Queenstown accommodation. We will board our helicopter and take you to the best location dependant on the weather forecast - flexibility is the key to success when camp out fishing. You will spend the day casting to stalked and sighted fish ranging in size from 3lbs – 5lbs, always with the possibility of seeing and hooking into much larger fish. The landscapes range from open tussock lands to mountain beech forests and stunning mountain scenery with spring creeks and freestone rivers.
Accommodation will either be tent or backcountry huts depending on the fishing location.

This is inclusive of: 4wd transfers, helicopter transfers, all equipment, food and non-alcoholic refreshments, digital images, safety and risk management, DoC concessions and GST.
NB. 2 persons maximum per guide.

South Island Guided Fly Fishing - Our fly fishing trips are based from Queenstown or Invercargill, New Zealand and we offer guided fly fishing trips through out the lower South Island but can operate anywhere in NZ though our concessions and guides weath of knowledge of all the NZ waters.
There are some significant differences in fly fishing for trout in New Zealand, compared to fishing in the UK or US. Sight fishing is perhaps the biggest difference. Our fishing guides are renowned for their remarkable ability to "spot" fish for clients, and to then coach that client into getting the right fly into the right place - and all too often the client never actually sees the fish until the fly is taken. Our crystal clear mountain streams and trophy sized brown and rainbow trout make this a hugely exciting method of catching these wild fish. This style of fishing is suitable for one or two persons per guide.
The South Island’s countryside is diverse but generally quite open. The riverbanks are a mix of tussock grasslands and open riverbeds that are relatively easy to negotiate. We access a mix of spring creeks, alluvial rivers and still waters of various sizes and offer a choice of low country or high country fishing.
The splendid fish of the high country demand respect for their sheer size and raw power. The larger, fit mountain rainbows will lead you in great leaps around the pool once hooked. And for the ultimate challenge, do battle with the cunning large brown trout that inhabit our lowland streams. They will test your nerves, skill and patience.
In general we have fewer, but much bigger fish per mile of water. The best of our rivers might boast a modest 500 fish per mile, but many of the mountain streams and rivers might only hold 10 fish per mile. They are bigger, more alert and as wild as can be, with an almost uncanny ability to sense danger!.  
Because there are fewer fish per mile, it becomes much more important to get a good cast to every fish encountered. As a rule, you only get one chance per fish - they are very unforgiving of poor presentation!
Water clarity is exceptional, especially in low summer flow periods, and wary brown trout can see out as well as the guide and his client can see in. Stealth is essential and fish will melt away unseen by the casual, careless approach of the average angler.

There are few greater pleasures than to stalk our beautiful trout among the peace, solitude and majestic scenery of New Zealand's Southern Alps.

Most of the rivers we guide on are in Otago and Southland and are between 1-2 hrs drive from Queenstown so the best option is a full day guided trip. We also go further a field into Fiordland and the West Coast usually via helicopter and sometimes jet boat or even a combination of both.

SIG will supply everything you need from all your fishing tackle/equipment, lunch/refreshments, digital images of the day, door to door transport and safety. If you have your own equipment and want to bring it, feel free to do so.
Breathable Waders are good to use particularly early and late season when the temperatures are cool and there is snowmelt in the rivers. However during summer when it is hot breathable waders are not necessary, we wet wade, so bring some wading boots or fairly sturdy boots and outdoor style pants and a pair of long johns (thermals) - as long as you don't mind getting wet. If you prefer waders (and a bit of sweat in the hot summer months) or need wading boots, we will supply them. Just let us know your foot size.
Clothing should be dull colored to blend into the surroundings. The crystal clear water means the fish are easily spooked by bright colors. Bring clothing for both warm and cool conditions (layers) and don't forget your raincoat (a wise man takes a raincoat on a sunny day). A wide brim hat or cap aids spotting fish and protects from the hot sun. Polaroid sunglasses are a must for spotting fish, so bring some of these or ask us and we will supply them for you.

Back country hut, B&B, Lodge or your preference can be arranged on consultation with Simon

Fishing Calender for the Lower South Island

October
The weather can be variable but there can be excellent dry fly and nymph fishing in the smaller streams. Some of our small streams are famous for their intense early season hatches of mayflies. There are also very few anglers about.

November
Early November weather conditions same as October but halfway through November the brown beetles start to hatch. The beetles plus the mayflies make for some exciting fishing on the small streams.  These streams carry some very large trout. The larger rivers are now coming into there own as most of the snow melt should be gone by now. There are still very few anglers about.

December
This is my favourite month along with April.  The larger rivers are fishing well and the small streams still have plenty of water in them. Beetle activity is at its height, there are plenty of mayflies and caddis about -- it's a great dry fly month. Angling pressure is still at a fairly low level.

January
The rivers start to get pressure now, as this is the holiday month in NZ. On the larger rivers there are good hatches early morning and in the evening, also on cloudy calm days there can be excellent spinner falls. There is good terrestrial fishing on smaller streams as the cicadas are starting to appear.

February
This is the month that gets the most pressure from visiting anglers but in Southland there are still plenty of places to go. Some of the smaller streams are getting a little low but there is some fabulous cicada fishing in the high country lakes. The regular afternoon hatches on the larger rivers start about halfway through this month.

March
Visiting anglers are starting to thin out and the weather is usually very settled.  There are regular afternoon hatches on the larger rivers often followed by a fall of spinners. The smaller streams have been freshened up by rain and there are still cicadas about. Mayfly activity also increase’s as the days get cooler.

April
This is my favourite month along with December. Most overseas anglers have gone and the cooler weather really gets the mayflies going on the larger rivers. They go on the small streams too but it is very hard to leave the larger rivers when they are fishing well. The weather is generally settled with very little wind.

May
All the low land rivers and streams have closed down for the spawning season. However the high country streams stay open to the end of this month and there is good fishing to be had with very few anglers taking advantage of the conditions.
It is generally colder now with winter fast approaching. Dry’s can still entice fish to take but the predominant method is nymph fishing.

1st June to 1st September
Rivers and streams closed for spawning. Lakes still open. Very cold. Very few anglers.

Book Now - "What the guide charges, is what you will pay and nothing extra. No middleman fees ~ book direct or contact the guide today!"
John Openshaw ~ President, WadersOn.com

Please contact John Openshaw of WadersOn and he will get you in contact with us for further information and consultation to get the best out of your trip to New Zealand.

All trips include 4wd transfers, fishing guide, equipment, food and refreshments, digital images, safety, machine time where appropiate, landing permits, accommodation where appropiate, DoC concessions and GST.
NB. 2 persons maximum per guide - prices qouted are for one or two anglers

Fishing Licenses are not included in the price but can be arranged for you.

Map of South Island Guided Fly Fishing