 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.
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