If you're looking for trophy fish (what they call anything over 6 lbs), you need a guide and possibly a helicopter ride into the wilds. If you will be satisfied catching "smaller" fish (we caught 4 pounders on the Mataura) it could be done without a guide, but you need time to scout out and find fish.
If you can't afford a guide, there is a book available that identifies all the rivers on the South Island (there may be one as well for the North, but I never bought one). You can also stop by sporting goods stores/fly fishing shops in country and buy one page maps of each regions fish able rivers and there legal access points.
Finally, leave your waders at home and wet wade, especially on the South Island. Bring thermal pants since sometimes the rivers are cold. If you can, buy new wading shoes before you go and you will breeze through customs. Otherwise, they may insist on sterilizing your equipment before you clear customs.
Finally - soooo jealous! NZ is awesome.
What about the South Island? Does anyone have any experience there?
> On Nov 18, 2014, at 4:34 AM, Cary Pugh <cpu...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Also the fly shops in rotorua should be able to help on where to fish on your own. And if you can swing one day with Murray I expect he would be able to give you tips on fishing alone. Lastly if you tie flies tie some big heavy - quite heavy - nymphs. Mostly I used hares ears. We also used little dry flies and some cicadas. I am happy to make suggestions on flies too if you want.
>
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