The Southland Homestay is a great 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 the South Island.
The minimum duration homestay expedition is three nights, 4 days guiding however I regularly cater expeditions for my return clientele up to a 10 days in duration based from our Southland homestay. Please inquire if you wish a longer stay trip.
NZ Fly Fishing Expeditions - Homestay success
The Area & Rivers
Southland 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 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 to 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
All of these 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.
The Accommodation
The base in Lumsden for your fly fishing expedition is a former 1930’s railway house. It is a comfortable and warm but has a rustic feel and is a great place to base for 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.
NZ Fly Fishing Expeditions - Southland Homestay house (3 mins from the Oreti River)
Best Times
The 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: 1-30 April
Southland Homestay Expedition 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 3,675.00 (extra days can be booked at the rate of NZD 990.00)
Cost 2 Pax: NZD 4,240.00 (extra days can be booked at the rate of NZD 1130.00)
Season: The 2009-20010 season runs from 1st Oct 2009 to 30 April 2010
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, equipment, video (and editing) 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.
Your Guide & Fishing Equipment
The services of a guide are key to gaining access, unlocking the potential of the rivers and maximizing your fishing trip. Simon Wilkinson is a member of the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides association and has Department of Conservation concessions to access and guide in National Park land throughout New Zealand. He also is a licensed commercial vehicle operator, has a helicopter loading certificate and first aid qualifications not to mention a magic set of fish spotting eyes. Having spent much time working in different areas of tourism as a commercial jet boat driver, hiking and heli-hiking guide, ski instructor, heli-ski guide and fly-fishing guide, Simon has a vast knowledge for the area he guides in. He has a full array of good modern equipment for you to use or feel free to bring your own.
Please inquire here if you would like a Homestay fishing expedition.
Follow this link for additional information when planing your trip.
Phone: +64 (3) 4421950
Mobile: +64 (0) 27 216 3787
Email: siwilkinson@xnet.co.nz
