Southland Fly Fishing Homestay Expedition

The Southland Fly Fishing Homestay is a great fishing trip allowing you to get right into the heart of some of the best sight fly fishing in the South Island and can be fitted easily into your vacation in New Zealand.

The minimum duration for the Southland Fly Fishing homestay expedition is three nights, 4 days guiding however I regularly cater expeditions for my return clientele up to 10 days  in duration based from our Southland fly fishing homestay base in Lumsden. Lumsden is the heart of Southland fly fishing. Please inquire if you wish a longer trip.

NZ Fly Fishing Expeditions – Homestay success

The Area & Rivers

Southland Fly Fishing Homestay expedition is based overnight in Lumsden, a small rural town in Southland, New Zealand, just over 1 hrs drive south of Queenstown and is situated very close to the banks of the Oreti River. From Lumsden there is great fly fishing access into Southland, Fiordland and Otago. There are 40+ rivers, streams and lakes within 1.5 hr radius. There is a wide variety of water in Southland to fly fish , large alluvial riverbeds, grass and tussock lined streams, mountain rivers that cascade through sub-temperate rain forests, crystal clear spring creeks, small tarns and large lakes, all holding large NZ trout.

The Fishing

Southland Fly Fishing  waters have large wily brown trout and some have a mix of rainbow trout as well. A few of our southern rivers have runs of sea trout after Xmas and also some small runs of Chinook salmon in Feb and March. The average size of fish we catch is around the 20” mark (around 3 – 5lbs) and many well over that size. The opportunities for true NZ trophy trout are always possible with 10lb+ fish being landed each year by lucky anglers. Southland fly fishing is a regular producer of wild NZ trophy trout.

The Accommodation

The Southland fly fishing expedition base is in Lumsden.  A former 1930′s railway house, it is comfortable and warm but has a rustic feel and is a great place to base for Southland fly fishing trips due to the great water access accompanied by genuine southern NZ hospitality and great guiding. I only cater to two angler’s maximum at any time. Meals are either home cooked or at one of the local restaurants depending on our day’s fishing activities. It is a short drive (about 3 minutes) to the Oreti River, so after dinner if the conditions are favorable and you have any energy left I am always happy to take you down to enjoy the last of the light and help find a trout sipping gently at insects as they drift past. Alternatively, we can eat earlier and the drive about ½ hr to fish the evening rise on the famed Mataura River or Waikaia Rivers.

Southland Fly Fishing – Homestay house

Best Times

The Southland fly fishing season starts on 1st October and typically the rivers will be high from snowmelt dropping as the month’s progress. The fish will be well rested, as they will not have seen an angler for five months. Dec-March is the prime season with surface insect life at its peak and 70% of fish caught will be on a dry fly. The big, bad and bold fish may take a little extra encouragement and a nymph fished under a dry can often be the recipe for success. April sees the start of more changeable conditions with a good chance of Mayfly activity on some waters. Dry fly, terrestrial and nymphs are all used depending on the conditions.

Early season: 1 Oct – 30 Nov
Peak season: 1 Dec – 30 March
Late season: 1st April – 31st May

Southland  Fly Fishing Homestay Expedition Brief Description

Day One – I will pick you up from your Queenstown accommodation at a pre-arranged time. From there we will drive into Southland, you will spend the rest of the day casting to stalked and sighted fish ranging in size from 3lbs – 5lbs, always with the possibility of seeing and hooking into much larger fish. After fishing on this day we will arrive at our accommodation in Lumsden and settle in for dinner and a couple of drinks with tales from the day.

Day 2 - 3 The next morning after a hearty kiwi breakfast you will be off to explore some of the other water in the area and the fishing they offer. Another lunch will see you through an afternoon full of fishing and finishing back in your Lumsden accommodation and the end of another great day and plenty more tales.

Day4 After another hearty breakfast we will head out for your last days fly fishing on the expedition and arrive back in Queenstown where I will drop you off at your Queenstown accommodation or airport as required.

Cost 1 pax: NZD 4,512 (extra days can be booked at the rate of NZD 1,203.00)

Cost 2 Pax: NZD 5,087.00 (extra days can be booked at the rate of NZD 1347.00)

Season: The 2013-2014 season runs from 1st Oct 2013 to 31st May 2014

Package Includes: This is a 3 night package however longer stays are available by request. Price includes: 4 days guided fly fishing, 3 nights accommodation, all food and non alcoholic refreshments, video footage, digital still images, safety and risk management, DoC concessions, all 4WD transport and GST.
NB. The guide is shared between two anglers.
Note: Price does not include: fishing licenses, helicopter excursions, boat trips, alcoholic refreshments or gratuities.
Capacity is 2 guests only.

Please inquire here if you would like a Southland fly fishing homestay expedition.

Follow this link for additional information when planing your trip.

Camp Outs can be added into the Southland Homestay Expedition but this must be discussed during the booking process. No extra charges will be incurred for camp outs when on the Southland Homestay Expedition.

Phone:   +64 (3) 4421950

Mobile:    +64 (0) 27 216 3787

Email: siwilkinson@xnet.co.nz