Frequently
Asked Questions about NZ Fishing
Table
of Contents
Time of Year
Q. When is
the best time to fish?
A.
I think the answer to that is "When you get
here!" Truly, there is good fishing all year round in most regions. Summer
time is certainly preferred by most anglers, especially those escaping the rigors of a North
American winter.... However, our Lake Brunner winter fishing
can be excellent, within the constraints of
weather, and water levels. See the Seasons,
Reports, and Winter
Fishing pages for an overview of conditions by season, month etc.
Coaching
& Tuition
Q.
Will you take beginners fishing?
A.
Certainly - some guests have never cast a rod before, and we are happy to teach
as we go. One of my greatest pleasures is to see a new convert to fly fishing
hook their first trout after mastering the basic casting skills!
Q.
Do you offer coaching and/or tuition in fishing techniques?
A.
Of course - this is an important element of being a guide, having the
willingness to share knowledge. And it makes for a great day on the river,
honing skills, and watching an angler grow in confidence!
References
Q. Can you
provide references?
A.
Yes - take a look at the "References"
page. These are 100% genuine comments from previous guests, and many are happy
to be contacted to confirm our reliability. You might also view independent
reports in the online database at "The
Angling Report" This site is well worth the modest
subscription as it produces a very influential newsletter, and
has reviews of lodges and guides all over the world.
Location
Q. How do we
locate your lodge?
A.
Make sure you print a copy of the
Location
Maps page, which has detailed maps and instructions, telephone numbers
etc, and bring it with you.
Q. Which is
the closest airport?
A.
Christchurch International Airport is the closest. It is 200 kms (125 miles)
away from Lake Brunner, approximately 2.5 hours drive.
Q. What are
the highway conditions like?
A.
Travel from Christchurch is via State Highway 73, across Arthurs Pass scenic
alpine route. It is an excellent route, with low traffic volumes by
international standards.
Q. Is there
any public transport to your lodge?
A.
Yes - three daily bus services, and a daily train service are available between
Christchurch and Greymouth - 50kms/30 miles away. See
Location Maps page for
contact details.
Q. Can you
collect us from bus or train stops?
A.
Yes, at no additional cost.
Your guide will also provide
pickup from hotel or motel and return.
Costs
Q. What is
the daily rate for a NZ fishing guide?
A.
The rate varies around the country, from NZ$450 to NZ$700 for a full day - see
"Guide Fees" page for our details
Q. Do you
offer 1/2 day trips?
A.
Yes, - see "Guide Fees" page for our
details
Q. Do you
have an "all-inclusive" package?
A.
Yes - we offer a package deal which includes guide services, accommodation and
meals, use of fishing equipment, license, collection from rail/bus stations etc
Accommodation
Q. Do you
provide accommodation?
A.
Yes, we can arrange this for you! See
accommodation
pages
Q. Do you
provide meals?
A.
Yes - guests who stay in local B&B homes have dinner, breakfast lunch and snacks included
in the package. We are happy to cater for special needs e.g. vegetarian.
Families
Q. Do you
cater for family groups?
A.
Yes, we do. We have children of our own, and are accustomed to taking children
fishing.
Other
Activities
Q. Do you
offer any activities, other than fishing?
A.
Yes - we can arrange rafting or kayaking trips, and tours to local
scenic sites, old gold mines, tourist hi-lights, and national parks etc.
Fishing Licences
Q. Is a
License Required?
A.
Yes, a license is required for trout fishing. We will arrange your license in
advance for the time spent with us, included in the package cost.
Q. What is
the cost of a license?
A.
Full season license is approx NZ$85. Depending on region, these are also available as daily, weekly, monthly,
summer or winter versions. Currently, there are no "Out of State" or
International" classifications, and visitors pay the same as local anglers.
Q. Are there
local or regional licenses?
A.
Licenses purchased anywhere in New Zealand (except Taupo) are valid throughout
New Zealand. For the Taupo area, a separate license must be purchased.
Q. How do we
find out about fishing regulations?
A.
The license comes complete with a booklet outlining national and regional
regulations, seasons, bag limits, permitted methods etc.
Q. Where do we
buy a fishing license?
A.
A license is included in the package when you stay with us. They are also
sold by all sports stores, most rural service (gasoline) stations, farm
supply stores and dairies.
Q. Can we fish in any of the many lakes and rivers without a permit/permission ?
A.
You must have a freshwater fishing license. However, a fishing license is inexpensive. A Full Season "family"
license is approx NZ$100. Licenses can also be purchased for 1 or 2 days, or a week. A standard
license permits you to fish every lake and river in New Zealand all season. Only exception is Lake Taupo which requires a separate
license.
Q. Is it easy to hire a boat ?
A. Depends on locality - in our region it
isnot be so easy, but in popular tourist spots adjacent to larger lakes, boat hire is available.
Seasons
Q. Is there
a defined Season?
A.
Yes - the new season commences on 1 October each
year, and scales down on 30 April when most spawning rivers, streams and lakes
close.
Q. Is there a closed season for trout and salmon ?
A. On April 30th each year, many smaller streams, rivers and lakes close for winter spawning. New Season opens 1 Oct each year.
Q. Can we
fish all year round?
A.
Yes - some areas, such as the Lake Brunner region, offer 24/7
x 365 fishing in many lakes and larger rivers. Check the
regulations booklet that comes with your license for details. If unsure, ask at
a local tackle shop for clarification.
See
"Seasons" page for full details
Fishing
Reports
Q. Do you
have online fishing reports available?
A.
Yes - there are extensive reports by month and year, See
"Fishing
Reports" page for full details
Q. Do we
have to bring our own equipment? See
"Fishing Equipment" page for
full details
A.
No - we can supply fishing equipment if required, at no additional cost. This
includes; Rods, reels & tackle, waders, wet weather gear. However, if
you feel more comfortable with your own rods etc, feel free to bring them.
Ensure
you have warm clothing, even in summer. Conditions can change quickly, and it is
always wise to have jacket close at hand.
Q. What
additional items do you recommend?
A.
A broad-brimmed hat and a pair of polaroid fishing glasses are essential, and a camera is a good idea.
NB:
Dull colours are recommended for hats, shirts,
jackets, and vests.
Q. Are there
any Customs issues when bringing our own equipment?
A.
Yes - make sure you DECLARE waders, wading boots and other equipment. Customs
officers will be quite happy with the equipment but may wish to clean, disinfect or
fumigate it for you. However, if you fail to declare it, and they are discovered
on inspection, you will be severely
chastised....
Q. Are there
any Customs issues when bringing our own flies?
A.
Yes - make sure you DECLARE that you have flies, and especially any tying
materials for those who like to tie on the spot. Customs
officers are likely to be more concerned about capes than feathers. However, if you fail to declare
these items, and they are discovered on inspection, you will be severely
chastised....
Q. Do
you have suggestions on setting up a rod and line for local conditions?
My personal setup is as follows; I use a 9ft
5/6-weight fast action rod - a Composite Developments GHR, with a Teton
large arbor reel. This is loaded with 100yds of orange Dacron backing, and an
Airflo #6 weight forward floating line, dull tan colour.
I put on a 9ft tapered leader, of 4X minimum -
this equates to 5.7-6lbs. I use braided line to leader loops, and tie a loop in
the thick end of the leader using a surgeons knot. The leader is simply
"threaded" onto the braided loop, making it VERY easy to replace it. I
also like the Eagle Claw "Line to Leader" links, and use these on all
my sinking line rigs. To the end of the leader, I add at least 3ft (1 metre) of
4x i.e. I never use less than a 12 ft leader/tippet.
I often change the leader over - heavier for
nymphing, lighter for dry fly, and the braided leader loops certainly give you "instant"
change-over capability... I've "rolled my own" leaders, and this is
good too, and cheaper - but the tapered ones will last a long time if you do as
I do - even when the thinner section gets whittled away, you can add a 1 metre
3X, followed by a 1.5 metre 4X section, and get another few months out of it. A
bit like cutting the end off your gumboot socks, and sewing it over to start
again... :-)
Tippet Material:
I use ordinary (Umpqua) tippet material for
nymphing, lures/streamers and also for dry fly through much of the season. I always have a
couple of rolls of fluorocarbon "invisible" stuff which I find is
really only necessary in low, clear summer fishing conditions.
4X - Dry fly - tie the fly on to the
end of the tippet - locked clinch knot. Use a #10 or #12 dry fly - orange
Stimulator, Humpy or Royal Wulf are good choices. Then tie a short dropper onto
the BEND of the hook, approx 18inches long, and add a nymph - #12 or #14 Hares
Ear, Flashback or Pheasant Tail. This rig is excellent for small streams, pocket
water, and edges of faster channels etc.
3X - Nymph Rig - tie the first #12
nymph to the end of the tippet section. Then tie a short dropper onto the BEND
of the hook, approx 18inches long, and add different smaller nymph - #12 - Hares
Ear, Flashback or Pheasant Tail. This rig is excellent for deeper water, seams,
along foam lines etc. If the water is deep, use a bead head as the first nymph.
Sight indicator - essential - I use the coloured Umpqua poly-yarn, and carry both
red or yellow. Cut off about 10-15mm of it, and I often attach it at the
line/leader loop by pushing the two ends apart and slipping the indicator
material into the doubled loop, and then pulling it up snug again to hold it.
Alternatively, if in shallow water, use the foam red/yellow indicators which can
be slid up/down the leader to adjust for different depths.
As
a general rule, most nymphs are weighted, so I rarely find it necessary to add
weight in the form of split shot. I do carry a bottle of Xink sinkant, and douse
any unweighted nymphs with this. I also carry a lump of lead putty - and maybe
used it one time in the past year....
Q. What is
the climate like?
A.
Temperate, but clearly defined seasons. Snow on mountains in winter, hot summers. Winter
lows of around -5C on frosty mornings. Summer daytime temperatures
around 22-25C.
This
is definitely "temperate rain forest" country... bring a rain coat! We
have around 150 inches of rain per year, usually distributed quite evenly
through out the year.
See the
NZ
Weather page for details.
Q. Are there
any special driving rules we need to know about?
A.
Yes! Cars are driven on the LEFT side of the road. International road signs are
used, all highways and major roads are of good quality, well signposted in
English. International drivers licenses are accepted. Road rules are consistent
with most countries - major exception is the left turn rule: When
turning left, you must give way to traffic turning right.
Q. What
currency system does NZ use?
A.
Dollars & cents. Exchange rate is very favourable for US visitors, as
US$0.67 buys +NZ$1.00
Q. Is
tipping required?
A.
Not expected in New Zealand - but it is a nice surprise.... :-)
Q. Is
there a problem with Insects?
A.
Sand-flies: Throughout NZ you are likely to encounter the dreaded sand-fly - a
small black biting insect which will leave an itchy welt like a mosquito bite.
They are particularly prevalent in mountain valleys on the West Coast, and
especially active just prior to the onset of rain. Buy an aerosol spray with 25%
Deet content, and don't gt it on your fingers as the Deet destroys leader and
tippet.
Mosquitoes: we have them, but they
are much less of a problem. Ours only come out after dark, and
leaving a window open and a light on might coax the odd one
inside. Generally a non-issue.
|
