Fly Fishing - Wanaka
Welcome to Aspiring Fly Fishing, based in Wanaka, New Zealand, bordering Mt Aspiring National Park. Aspiring Fly Fishing provides guided fly fishing trips in the Wanaka, South Westland (Haast), Mckenzie Basin (Twizel/Omarama area), Southland and Southern Lakes regions.
New Zealand is regarded as a trout fishing mecca. The Wanaka region has some of the most amazing landscapes, boasting gin clear rivers, streams and still waters with large wild brown and rainbow trout, a combination that provides a ‘once in a lifetime’ fly fishing experience.
The new fishing season begins on October the 1st with a couple of smaller local streams opening in the Wanaka region. We also have some exceptionally good still-water fishing with many brown trout returning from the tribituraries to the feed around the lake margins, this is a great time to stalk these fish who are hungry after the long winter months and will take olive woolly buggers, damsel fly and dragon fly imitations without to much hesitation .
November the 1st sees the opening of our back-country rivers and streams that Wanaka is famous for. Many of the larger rivers will be carrying snow melt early on, so a great time to target the smaller tributaries in the region as they usually hold some larger fish whilst their flows are still good, many of these fish will begin dropping back into the bigger river systems as the river levels drop heading into the warmer summer months.
Peaks months for fly fishing around the Wanaka and Central Otago region is from November to April, as the weather is hotter and more settled. December sees the appearance of cicadas on our rivers and high country lakes,something not to be missed by anglers wanting the ultimate dry fly fishing experience! There's nothing more exilerating than watching a big fish rise through the water column to smash your big dry fly off the surface.
Tasty big morsel for hungry trout
Feel free to contact me to discuss a possible New Zealand fly fishing adventure in the Wanaka region, there are plentyoptions and I will tailor make a trip to suit your experience and expectations.New Zealand trout fishing at it's best !
Let Paul hook you up with some of the best of New Zealand trout fishing, in stunning rivers stalking large wild trout.
Otago Fishing Regulations 2017-2018
Dunedin Office Cnr : Hanover and Harrow Streets, Dunedin.
Postal Address: PO Box 76, Dunedin 9054
Phone(03) 477-9076
emails.milne@fish-game.org.nz
Administrations Officer : Sharon Milne
Chief Executive : Niall Watson
Operations manager : Ian Hadland
Fish and game Officers : Steve Dixon, Cliff Halford, Helen Trotter,Paul van Klink, Morgan Trotter
Environmental Officer : Nigel Paragreen
Otago Fish and Game Region extends from Shag Point on the South Island ’s East Coast south to The Brothers Point in the Catlins area. The region runs inland to include the whole of both the Clutha and Taieri River catchments as well as a number of smaller coastal river catchments such as the Catlins, Tahakopa, Tokomairiro, Waikouaiti and Shag. Otago Region has a range of fishing opportunities set in diverse landscapes from pristine high country and barren Central Otago to the lush lowland pastures of coastal Otago. All anglers and all methods are catered for. The large southern lakes-Wanaka, Wakatipu and Hawea hold good stocks of salmon, rainbow and brown trout and are popular with boat anglers, but if smaller fly fishing water is your preference, then the productive coastal streams and the Taieri or Pomahaka Rivers are worth a visit. Please respect our angling waters by obeying the angling restrictions applying to them, not leaving rubbish and obtaining the landowner’s permission where require.
ANGLING CONDITIONS
There are weekly reports on current river and lake conditions in Otago from mid-September through to the end of April. These reports are available in the Otago section of the website. Another source of information on river conditions is the Otago Regional Council’s ‘Water Flow’ website listed on www.orc.govt.nz POLLUTION COMPLAINTS For complaints about pollution or damage to rivers contact the Otago Regional Council’s 24 hour Pollution Hotline on 0800 800 033 in the first instance. BACKCOUNTRY FISHERIES For more information on Otago backcountry fisheries or to obtain a backcountry licence go to www.fishandgame.org.nz.
Regulations
1. DEFINITIONS
See First Schedule.
2. OPEN SEASON, PERMITTED METHODS, DAILY BAG LIMITS
(Subject to clauses 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 for this region)
Permitted Methods definition F = Fly fishing only FS = Fly or Spin fishing only FSB = Fly, Spin or Bait fishing permitted
2.1
Rivers / Lakes Season Methods Daily Limits
Akatore Estuary 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 2
Akatore River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Albert Burn 1 Nov – 31 May FS 1
Arrow River 1 Nov – 31 May FSB 1
Blakelys Dam 1 Nov – 15 Apr FSB 1
Butchers Dam 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 3
Caples River and tributaries
(refer to clause 11 for this region) 1 Nov – 31 May F 1
Cardrona River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1
Careys Creek 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Careys Creek downstream
of the rail line Bridge 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 3
Catlins Estuary downstream
of State Highway 92 Bridge 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Catlins River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 6
Clutha River upstream from Luggate
Bridge (except Deans Bank Section) 1 Oct – 30 Sep FS 6
Clutha River Deans Bank Section (defined by landmark posts 1km
downstream of Lake Wanaka and
600m upstream of Albert Town Bridge) 1 Oct – 31 May F 6
Clutha River dwnstrm of Luggate Bridge 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Coalpit Dam 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 1
Conroys Dam 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 1
Contour Channel 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Dart River 1 Oct – 30 Sep FS 1
Dart River tributaries not mentioned
in clause 2.3 for this region 1 Nov – 31 May FS 1
Deep Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Diamond Creek 1 Oct – 31 May FS 1
Diamond Lake 1 Oct – 30 Sep FS 3
Dingle Burn (refer to clause 11) 1 Nov – 31 May FS 1
Falls Dam 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 6
Fraser Dam 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Fraser River downstream of dam 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Fraser River Upper 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1
Glenorchy Lagoons 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1
Greenstone River and tributaries
(refer to clause 11 for this region) 1 Nov – 31 May F 1
Greenstone River
downstream of Greenstone Station Rd
car park swing bridge 1 Nov – 31 May FS 1
Greenstone River upstream of Sly Burn 1 Feb - 31 March
confluence (see clause 11) Controlled fishery F 1
Hamiltons Dam 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1
Hawea River 1 Oct – 30 Sep FS 6
Hoffmans Dam 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 1
Hores Control Pond 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Hunter River and tributaries
(see clause 11 for this region) 1 Nov – 31 May FS 1
Ida Burn Dam 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Kaihiku Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Kaikorai Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Kaikorai Estuary downstream of
Abbotts Creek confluence 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 3
Kawarau River 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Knights Dam 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Kuriwao Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Kye Burn 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Lake Dispute 1 Oct – 31 May FS 3
Lake Dunstan 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Lake Hawea 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Lake Hayes 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 3
Lake Johnson 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 1
Lake Kirkpatrick 1 Oct – 30 Sep FS 3
Lake Mahinerangi 1 Oct – 30 Sept FSB 6
Lake Onslow 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 10
Lake Roxburgh, Highway Bridge at
Alexandra downstream to the
Roxburgh Dam. 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Lake Sylvan 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Lake Tewa 1 Oct – 30 Sep FS 1
Lake Tuakitoto including the outlet channel and inlet channel. 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Lake Waihola including the outlet
and waterways interconnected
with Lake Waipori. 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Lake Waipori 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Lake Wakatipu 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Lake Wanaka 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Lee Strea 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Lindis River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1
Lochy River and tributaries
downstreamof Disputed Creek
confluence. 1 Nov – 31 May F 1
Lochy River and tributaries
upstream of Disputed Creek
confluence (see clause 11). 1 Nov – 31 May F 0
Loganburn Dam 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 6
Maclennan River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 6
Makarora River and tributaries 1 Nov – 31 May FS 1
Makarora River downstream of
Wilkin River confluence 1 Oct – 30 Sep FS 1
Manorburn Dam Lower 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 6
Manorburn Dam Upper 1 Nov – 31 May FSB 6
Manuherikia and tributaries 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1
Mathias Dam 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Matukituki River and tributaries 1 Nov – 31 May FS 1
Matukituki River downstream of
Motatapu confluence 1 Oct – 30 Sep FS 1
McAtamney’s Head Pond 1 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Meggat Burn 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Mill Creek junior fishery above
Waterfall Park
(see clause 12) 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1
Mill Creek downstream of
Speargrass Flat Road Bridge 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 1
Moke Lake 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 3
Molyneux Pond 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 1
Motatapu River and tributaries 1 Nov – 31 May FS 1
Nenthorn Pond 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1
Nenthorn Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Nevis River and tributaries
(see clauses 10 and 11 for this region) 1 Oct – 30 Apr F 1
Owaka River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 6
Owaka River downstream
of State Highway 92. 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Perkins Pond 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1
Pinders Pond 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1
Pleasant River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 3
Pomahaka River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 6
Pomahaka River downstream of
Swans Bridge (Clydevale Road) 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Pomahaka River upstream of
Park Hill Bridge (Switzers Road) 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Poolburn Dam 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Puerua Estuary downstream of
State Highway 92 Bridge. 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Rees River and tributaries 1 Nov – 31 May FS 1
Rees River downstream of Muddy Creek 1 Oct – 30 Sep FS 1
Reid Lake 1 Oct – 30 Sep FS 1
Routeburn River and tributaries 1 Nov – 31 May F 0
Rutherford's Dam 1 Nov – 15 Apr FSB 1
Shag River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Shag River downstream of
Highway 1 Bridge. 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 3
Shotover River 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Silverstream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Southern Reservoir (see clause 3) 1 Oct – 31 Aug FS 1
Styx Weir Pond 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Sullivans Dam 1 Oct – 30 Sep FS 1
Sutton Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Tahakopa 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 6
Tahakopa River downstream of Maclennan River confluence.
1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Taieri River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 6
Taieri River downstream of
Silverstream confluence. 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Teviot River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 6
Three O’Clock Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Timaru River and tributaries 1 Nov – 31 May FS 1
Timaru River downstream of
Timaru Road Bridge. 1 Oct – 30 Sep FS 1
Tokomairiro River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Tokomairiro River downstream of
Coal Gully Road Bridge 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Tomahawk Lagoon 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 1
Tuapeka River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Victoria Dam 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Von Lake 1 Nov – 31 May F 1
Von River and tributaries 1 Nov – 31 May F 1
Waipahi River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 6
Waipori River upstream of Lake Waipori 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Waipori River downstream of Lake Waipori 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 6
Waitahuna River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Waitati River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Waitati River downstream of
Orokonui Stream confluence. 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 3
Waiwera River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 6
Waikouaiti River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Waikouaiti River downstream of
State Highway 1 Road Bridge. 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 2
Waters of Leith downstream
of the Lindsay Creek confluence to the
Leith Street Foot Bridge. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 3
Waters of Leith downstream of Leith
Street Foot Bridge 1 Oct – 30 Sep FSB 3
Wilkin River and tributaries (see clause 11) 1 Nov – 31 May FS 1
Young River and tributaries (see clause 11) 1 Nov – 31 May FS 1
CLOSED SEASON
Fishing for sports fish is not permitted at any time in the following specified waters:
• Bullock Creek, from Lake Wanaka to source.
• Horne Creek, from Lake Wakatipu to source.
• Lake Wakatipu, within the waters of Queenstown Bay bounded by a straight line drawn from the outermost point of Queenstown Gardens to the point where the south bank of One Mile Creek meets Lake Wakatipu.
• Lake Wanaka, within 150m of any part of the launch wharf at the township of Wanaka, within 150m of any part of the public jetty at the Wanaka Marina, and anywhere within 150m of the shoreline between the wharf and the jetty.
• Lake Wakatipu, within 100m of any part of the wharf in Black Bay (commonly known as the Walter Peak Jetty).
• Mill Creek (which flows into Lake Hayes), from the Speargrass Flat Road Bridge to Waterfall Park.
• Southern Reservoir in September except for Otago Fish and Game Council controlled fishing events.
• All waters in which sports fish are held in captivity for display, hatching or other purposes, or within a distance of 100m from any part of the outer boundaries of such waters.
• Waters of Leith upstream of the Lindsay Creek confluence and including Lindsay Creek.
BACK COUNTRY FISHERY
a) the Greenstone River backcountry fishery which means the Greenstone River catchment, namely— (i) the Greenstone River upstream of the swing bridge at the car park end of Greenstone Station Road; and (ii) all tributary streams flowing into the Greenstone River, including the Caples River.
(b) the Dingle Burn backcountry fishery which means the Dingle Burn upstream of the bridge on the Dingle Burn Station access road.
(c) the Lochy River backcountry fishery which means the Lochy River catchment upstream of the confluence with Disputed Creek.
(d) the Nevis River backcountry fishery which means the Nevis River catchment upstream of the confluence with the Kawarau River.
(e) the Hunter River backcountry fishery which means the Hunter River catchment upstream of the river’s mouth where the river enters Lake Hawea.
(f) the Young River backcountry fishery which means the Young River catchment upstream of the confluence with the Makarora River.
(g) the Wilkin River backcountry fishery which means the Wilkin River catchment upstream of the confluence with the Makarora River.
All anglers who fish in the backcountry fishery (as defined by the Sports Fish Licences, Fees, and Forms Notice 2016) must first obtain a backcountry licence (
Definitions:
• controlled area means the Greenstone River (and its tributary streams) between the river’s source and its confluence with the Sly Burn.
• controlled period means the period beginning on 1 February 2017 and ending on 31 March 2017.
• controlled-period licence means a licence that entitles the following persons to fish for sports fish in the controlled area during the controlled period, but only during the day, and on the reach, specified in the licence:
(a) the holder of the controlled-period licence; and
(b) if the holder also holds a backcountry licence that is endorsed on a family licence, the holder’s spouse or partner and, if accompanied by the holder or the holder’s spouse or partner, any member of the holder’s family; and
(c) any 1 or more companion anglers named in the controlled-period licence who hold backcountry licences.
11.4 In the controlled area, a controlled period applies. All anglers who fish in the controlled area must first obtain a controlled period licence
More Wanaka Info
Hi Guys,
I've put this info sheet together to help you find your way around Wanaka if you haven’t visited it before.
You will find the local people very helpful too and usually more than willing to point you in the right direction.
Both Spark & Vodafone have stores in town to get a sim card if you want to have phone or data here ( i use Spark ), the hotel & most cafes have good Wi-Fi.
Southern Wild which is our local fishing and hunting store has most of the fishing equipment you will need. I will supply it all for the days you are with me but if you are fishing on your own after our time together and need to restock head here. You can also purchase your fishing licence here!
Accommodation varies significantly in quality and price in Wanaka but here’s a couple to look at.
http://www.alpinemotelwanaka.co.nz/
https://www.edgewater.co.nz/
http://www.limetreelodge.co.nz/
http://www.aspiringmotel.co.nz/
Good cafes for coffee, breakfast or lunch are Ritual Café, Urban Grind and Relishes are ones I highly recommend.
As for dinner meals Trout Café and Bar, Relishes Café, Bistro Gentil (fine dining) and the Speights Ale House are all fantastic there are so many choices for eating in Wanaka !
There is a New World supermarket in the centre of town that stocks most things.
My top 3 things to do in Wanaka whilst you are here would be, Ridgeline Adventures 4WD day trip up into the hills, River Journeys Jet Boat trip up the Matukituki river and a short (45mins to the top !)walk up MT Iron for the views !
See you soon!
Cheers
Paul
