Exclusive chauffeured and guided scenic and fishing tours in New Zealand's Southern Alps.
Guaranteed magnificent views of the locals and landscapes in Canterbury's High Country
Home of Lord of the Rings Middle Earth, and
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe's Narnia.

One Day Fishing Adventure Lakes and Rivers from the Mountains to the Sea

All year round fishing in the High Country for salmon and trout. (River conditions and weather permitting)

From the mountains to the sea year round fishing can be found somewhere amongst the many lakes, streams and silver braids of the rivers.

Rivers rise on the eastern slopes of the Southern Alps and after filling lakes they head into vast glaciated valleys with numerous streams that add to their flow as they rush towards the sea.

As the rivers meander their way down through glaciated valleys there are many rapids followed by quiet stretches to tempt the angler. Peace and tranquility in this little visited area is guaranteed.

Around every bend there is another likely looking stretch and another pool to try your luck in. Your guide knows in just which pools those trout lie in wait. Salmon also hold up in these pools resting before tackling another stretch of rapids on their way upstream to spawn.

Leaving the mountains, the silver braids of the "River of Flowing Hair" spread out as the fastest flowing river in the Southern Hemisphere crosses lush farm lands before reaching the sea. This beautiful river provides fishing all year round for both the novice and expert angler alike. As well as the challenges of this fast flowing water the area has many lakes to fish.

There are many beautiful lakes surrounded by mountains and native bush full of bird song that are the perfect place to cast a line and try your luck.

Your fishing guide will provide you with all the tackle that you will need for fly or spin fishing.

Lessons in the art of fly fishing are available and also instruction on spin fishing for those who have never fished before.

Spotting trout in the crystal clear waters before catching the big one is always as exciting as gently releasing it afterwards to live to fight another day.

After a little instruction from your guide even a first timer can catch a fish. Feel free to decline Phil's tradition of kissing it on the nose before releasing it, though!

If the tide and river access conditions are right Phil will also take great pleasure in taking you to fish for Kahawai at the mouth of a river. We can not guarantee easy access or that these fish will "be there" but when they are - catching 30 fish in 30 casts is not unusual! At around 10lb each these fish give a terrific fight especially in the surf and the river current and many more get off the hook than we land.

We do of course release most of them as being so big you only need a few fish to feed everyone in the party.

Canterbury High Country Lakes Fishing
Seasonal fishing (Nov/Dec to April) in the numerous lakes and rivers of the Canterbury High Country.
(River conditions and weather permitting)

There are many wonderful lakes in the Canterbury High Country all relatively close together, so there is always a new challenge whether spin or fly fishing - depending on wind conditions at each lake.

Some lakes are fly fishing only and we are happy to advise those who would like to try their hand at this addictive sport.

Apart from the joy of fishing, the magic surroundings with wonderful reflections are just stunning. You usually have the whole lake to yourself and can spend hours just working your way around the little bays and inlets on one lake or have an hour on one before trying the next - the choice is yours.

We can take you to as many places as you like, each un-crowded and with an abundance of fish.

With such wonderful clear still water it is easy for the fish to see you, but when the wind puts a ripple on the water you have a better chance of getting that big one on the bank.

Once landed you can release your catch after being photographed or take it home for tea.

With so many lakes to choose from, some lining up one after the other to be fished you will wish you could stay forever.

With many lakes not yet visited there is always another day tomorrow and a chance to land the one that got away or perhaps see the rare Southern Crested Grebe as well as White Herons that frequent the shallows.

After what we hope is a successful day of fishing your party will overnight in this quality hosted accommodation in another stunning location with bed breakfast and evening meal all prepared for you.
You might like a round of golf at a world class course close by, or just sit and watch one of our famous "Norwest Sunsets" unfold as the sun sets behind the mountains.

If you have never fished before (or would like to learn the art of fly fishing) your guide is quite happy to give lessons, staying with you whilst you put into practice what you have just learnt before leaving you to enjoy the tranquility at the lake side as he retreats to a discreet distance.

Your second day can continue exploring the many lakes you won't have managed to fish or you can try your luck in one of the many braids of the large snow-fed rivers for salmon.

Many of these large rivers are also fed by nursery streams where as well as having a resident population of trout the salmon come to spawn in the autumn.

One such stream has crystal clear water where you can see the salmon jumping the rapids. After leaving the sea and travelling a great distance up the river they find the very stream they were born in, spawn and then die, thus completing their life cycle. At such times you can hardly cross this stream without standing on them, and that is not a fishy tale!

These fish can grow up to 40 lbs+ and of course are much sought after when they first enter the rivers when they are gleaming bars of silver. After several months of running the gauntlet with fishermen they reach their "home" high in the mountains and wait for others to arrive before a frenzy of spawning which is quite spectacular to see in the autumn.

A journey through this wonderful high country would not be complete without morning and afternoon tea and a picnic lunch which we can have anywhere and any time - we are spoilt for choice. If the fish are biting and you are not hungry lunch can wait - our time is your time and we can do what ever, when ever you like.

We do not adhere to timetables, and if you want to fish for only a short time each day there are plenty of sights to see. Lord of the Rings country is not far away if you want to include a trip to fish the lakes in "Middle Earth" near the film locations we are happy to take you there. There are also bush walks and scenic reserves that can be visited.

Whether you are an avid expert fisherman out to catch the big one or you just want to cast a line into a river or lake we can help make your dreams come true.

4x4 Fishing Tours In Scenic Canterbury - This area is considered a unique part of New Zealand. The dense glacial colours of the lakes which are home to land locked salmon offers stunning vistas of the circling mountains. Crystal-clear rivers filled with both salmon and trout are created from pure clear water aquifers.

Mountain streams that started life as ancient glaciers in remote valleys are surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Southern Alps. The country is wild and accommodates some of the most recognized sheep stations in New Zealand as well as the now world re-known locations for several films. This is a truly magnificent part of the world.

Travelling with 4X4 ADVENTURES allows you access to a wilderness of moody mountains, temperamental rivers and sparkling lakes. This is vast country where wild pigs and deer, thar and chamois can sometimes be seen high above in rocky basins. See glaciers descend to snow-fed rivers that meander their way down from the valleys.

This is the real New Zealand, a land where time seems to stand still and man's intervention is but a scratch on the landscape.

We have even been entrusted in the middle of winter with the safety of two of the UK's best loved TV personalities - Dawn French (alias Geraldine - the "Vicar of Dibly") and her equally famous and hilarious husband Lenny Henry who enjoyed our Lord of the Rings tour.

Magnificent scenery is guaranteed as we follow rivers upstream, their trout and salmon filled pools tempting the angler to linger. Discover remote alpine valleys in the heart of the Southern Alps, little changed since the ice age when these wide river beds were carved out by great glaciers, evidence of which is all around.

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

Map of 4x4 Fishing Tours In Scenic Canterbury