General questions re NZ flyfishing

[ebf]

Howzit Kevin and Mike,

We may be coming for a look-see holiday later this year... At the moment 1 week NI (probably Wellington), 1 week SI (?) and 1 week Brisbane

Any general comments about flyfishing in NZ would be appreciated

River / stream vs salt
North Island vs South Island
Wellington area on NI

[phly]

i've fished there..only limited fishing but the saltwater doesnt have a lot of species..but there are nice fish to be caught and not many guys throwing a fly. The freshwater is very commercialised in the well known spots..but get out into the middle of nowhere..and with some permission...i reckon it's so awesome! I'm looking into moving there myself...

Howzit Kevin and Mike,

We may be coming for a look-see holiday later this year... At the moment 1 week NI (probably Wellington), 1 week SI (?) and 1 week Brisbane

Any general comments about flyfishing in NZ would be appreciated

River / stream vs salt
North Island vs South Island
Wellington area on NI

[KevinE]

Any general comments about flyfishing in NZ would be appreciated

River / stream vs salt
North Island vs South Island
Wellington area on NI

Some rather general questions there, but will try to give a flavour:

Salt? I haven't done any but hear that it is very good. But mostly in the northern and eastern areas of the NI. i.e. Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty. These areas have shore-based options and calm waters for boating. The main gamefish are Kahawai (Australian salmon) and Kingfish (Cape Yellowtail).

NI Trout. Some great lakes (Rotorua and Taupo regions) with mostly streamer fishing to imitate baitfish. Trophy fish are regularly caught at these lakes, particulary the Rotorua Lakes.
The best NI rivers run from the central mountain ranges (Urewera, Kaweka, Kaimanawa, Ruahine). Rainbows predominantly in the higher rivers. Access can be an issue in many of these rivers as they often flow through private and Maori land. Local knowledge is more important in the NI than the SI.
The other advantage in the North Island is the fantastic winter fishing for lake "steelhead" in the Taupo tributaries. It would be a long and barren winter if it wasn't for this!

Wellington area. In the WLG, Wairarapa, Taranaki regions brown trout are more prevalant. There are nice fish in the Hutt River that flows right through the Wellington suburbs. The closest backcountry fishing to WLG is in the Tararua ranges, some good fish to be had but not of the same size as further north. I lived in Palmerston North for a year and found the fishing in the area quite tough, although I was still green to NZ fishing at the time.

South Island. Undoubtedly the better island for trout fishing. Mostly browns, although rivers connected to lakes often have rainbows. Clean water and sight fishing to good sized fish. It takes a certain amount of skill and can be rather intimidating to the visitor. Access is generally quite straightforward, although a willingness to walk gets you onto some better opportunities.

Auckland is the main destination for new migrants and best for job prospects. However, it is not my favourite city. Expensive to live, bad traffic, and a lack of personality. The redeeming feature is the Hauraki Gulf and Manukau Harbour - a great place to own a boat!

Hamilton is a busy town 1 1/2 hours south of AKL. A pleasant little "city" if a bit lacking in attractions. But very convenient to other spots in the upper NI. Some decent trout fishing with local knowledge.

Wellington is my favourite NZ city. Heaps of character and a vibrant CBD. The downside is the weather, unless you like wind!

Christchurch is the biggest centre in the SI. Flat and featureless, also lacking in character i.m.o. But the alps on the western horizon beckon adventure seekers and lovers of the outdoors. Basically CHCH is better for "where it is" than "what it is"

Try the Fish and Game website for some more info on the trout fishing.

[ebf]

thanks Kevin

re the wind (wellington), we're in Cape Town, South Peninsula aka windiest place on the planet

[mikeh]

Hi EBF

Although Kevin is far more qualified to answer than I am I will add my 2c. I moved out on the 23 January 2007. Don't, under any circumstances underestimate the magnitude of a move of this nature. We are still working through all the issues, which is why I have very little time to read and reply to you guys on the site. I have had even less time to fish.

We are in a little town called Whitford, just outside Auckland. As a business analyst and consultant this is the place I need to be. We found the people live very close together so opted for what they call a lifestyle block of 7 acres. It is right on the Hiraki Gulf coast and makes Auckland worthwhile. If I d have to travel to town I go by ferry which is a wonderful way to travel to work.

My wife and I are both very happy with the life, schools and the medical system. Unfortunately we had the opportunity to test the latter recently. My wife was burnt in a fire and the ambulance took 10 mins, 3 paramedics, straight to the top hospital with a team of excellent plastic surgeons. This was all government facilities and it was on a par with a medi-clinic at home. After all was said and done the treatment was all free, I only had to pay $6.00 for the parking at the hospital. Makes you think.

I have had some wonderful fishing here both with Kevin and on the SI. The salt fishing side here is huge, highest boat ownership per capita in world. It is all bait though and SWFFing is a bit of a novelty but I intend to change that.

I have a boat and wet-bike arriving at the end of the month so hopefully things will change then. Keep in touch with us and we will make sure that when you come over you can chat and learn from our experience. By then I will also have some spots marked in my GPS and and will take you out in one of the two gulfs we have.

Any other questions give me a shout.

[dlampert]

Hi EBF

Although Kevin is far more qualified to answer than I am I will add my 2c. I moved out on the 23 January 2007. Don't, under any circumstances underestimate the magnitude of a move of this nature. We are still working through all the issues, which is why I have very little time to read and reply to you guys on the site. I have had even less time to fish.

We are in a little town called Whitford, just outside Auckland. As a business analyst and consultant this is the place I need to be. We found the people live very close together so opted for what they call a lifestyle block of 7 acres. It is right on the Hiraki Gulf coast and makes Auckland worthwhile. If I d have to travel to town I go by ferry which is a wonderful way to travel to work.

My wife and I are both very happy with the life, schools and the medical system. Unfortunately we had the opportunity to test the latter recently. My wife was burnt in a fire and the ambulance took 10 mins, 3 paramedics, straight to the top hospital with a team of excellent plastic surgeons. This was all government facilities and it was on a par with a medi-clinic at home. After all was said and done the treatment was all free, I only had to pay $6.00 for the parking at the hospital. Makes you think.

I have had some wonderful fishing here both with Kevin and on the SI. The salt fishing side here is huge, highest boat ownership per capita in world. It is all bait though and SWFFing is a bit of a novelty but I intend to change that.

I have a boat and wet-bike arriving at the end of the month so hopefully things will change then. Keep in touch with us and we will make sure that when you come over you can chat and learn from our experience. By then I will also have some spots marked in my GPS and and will take you out in one of the two gulfs we have.

Any other questions give me a shout.

Sorry to hear about your wife's accident Mike, I hope she recovers fully !

Regards,
Darryl

[KevinE]

Yeah, tough luck that Mike. I hope Karen recovers well. But emergency services like that really do restore your faith in humanity!

[Pierre]

Hi EBF

Although Kevin is far more qualified to answer than I am I will add my 2c. I moved out on the 23 January 2007. Don't, under any circumstances underestimate the magnitude of a move of this nature. We are still working through all the issues, which is why I have very little time to read and reply to you guys on the site. I have had even less time to fish.

We are in a little town called Whitford, just outside Auckland. As a business analyst and consultant this is the place I need to be. We found the people live very close together so opted for what they call a lifestyle block of 7 acres. It is right on the Hiraki Gulf coast and makes Auckland worthwhile. If I d have to travel to town I go by ferry which is a wonderful way to travel to work.

My wife and I are both very happy with the life, schools and the medical system. Unfortunately we had the opportunity to test the latter recently. My wife was burnt in a fire and the ambulance took 10 mins, 3 paramedics, straight to the top hospital with a team of excellent plastic surgeons. This was all government facilities and it was on a par with a medi-clinic at home. After all was said and done the treatment was all free, I only had to pay $6.00 for the parking at the hospital. Makes you think.

I have had some wonderful fishing here both with Kevin and on the SI. The salt fishing side here is huge, highest boat ownership per capita in world. It is all bait though and SWFFing is a bit of a novelty but I intend to change that.

I have a boat and wet-bike arriving at the end of the month so hopefully things will change then. Keep in touch with us and we will make sure that when you come over you can chat and learn from our experience. By then I will also have some spots marked in my GPS and and will take you out in one of the two gulfs we have.

Any other questions give me a shout.

Hi Mike

Nice to hear from you again. Sorry about your wife. I hope she recovers well. Wow great medical service, and free !!!. Incredible. You sure made a good move. I'm looking forward to hear some reports and see photos of the saltwater scene over there.

Cheers