Twizel, the home of world class fly fishing in New Zealand's South Island - Mackenzie Basin. All Waters hold both wild Rainbow and wild Brown Trout. The Mackenzie basin offers a variety of fly fishing waters, from fast flowing mountain streams, small hidden spring creeks, with both large and small still-water options available if rivers are blown out also. Just 10 minutes from Twizel you will find the Tekapo river, boasting the largest population of fish per kilometer in the South Island! 

The area is dominated by Mt Cook, the Southern Alps and of course the milky, turquoise hydro lakes of the region.

Within this world class fly-fishing district are the small townships of Omarama, Twizel, Tekapo, Fairlie, Geraldine all of which are within 30mins drive of some world class fishing water. The rivers located around these locations are truly outstanding in every form and offer a variety of rivers, streams and spring creeks to fish for both large Brown and Rainbow trout in the 3-6lb size range.

During the course of the fishing season Twizel enjoys dry days with temperatures in the mid 20C-30C, however, it can experience some cold, wet and windy days at times also.

The key to fly fishing success here in New Zealand is both accuracy and presentation of your fly, with the use of long fine leaders and tippet.

Its all about being able to place that cast on the money accurately, time and time again: with all the natural food available the trout wont always take your fly on the first, or even third cast. I’d highly recommend putting some time into your casting before you arrive here in New Zealand and this will help you catch more fish !

Contact me now to book your buck list New Zealand fly fishing adventure !

Norio from Japan with a stunning rainbow from a small Mckenzie country stream.

Robbie with a trophy brown from a small stream.