Beautiful West Coast

A SOUTH WESTLAND TROUT FISHING SAFARI - this is one example of a fishing expedition we can arrange for you.

DURATION: 4 DAYS GUIDED FISHING

South Westland is an area well known for its majestic scenery, rugged mountains, dense coastal rain forests, wild untamed rivers, and a practically untapped brown trout fishery.

I offer a wide variety of experiences for the fly angler who is keen to pursue the wily brown trout. Whether it is fishing a tiny dry fly or nymph on a clear mountain river, sight fishing the margins of a bush fringed coastal lake, or fishing a small streamer in the tidal reaches of a swamp stained river, South Westland can offer this, and more.

South Westland river

I can supply quality fishing gear, or you are welcome to bring your own.

This package includes:

• Four days of guided fly fishing
• Five nights accommodation
• Road vehicle and boat transport
• All meals (breakfast, lunch and evening meal)
• Use of fishing gear

The following is not included:

• Alcohol drinks

Please note:

• Trips commence and finish at Cromwell. Transport can be arranged from Queenstown Airport to Cromwell (45 minutes), however this is not included in the package cost.

ITINERARY

You arrive at Cromwell on the evening prior to the first day of fishing and spend the night at a homestay (bed & breakfast).

DAY ONE

Coralie Clark of New Zealand with a typical lake brown from South Westland.

I pick you up from your accommodation and we head off on a two and a half hour drive to Haast, a sparsely populated coastal area lying beneath the Southern Alps. The road to South Westland is one of the most scenic drives available in New Zealand, skirting the Mount Aspiring National Park. A camera and plenty of film is an absolute must for visitors to this part of New Zealand.

After checking in to our accommodation, we head off to a medium size river winding through coastal native forest, to fish runs and emerald hue pools for large brown trout. In this river, we sight fish for brownies that average four pounds with dry flies and nymphs.

South Westland means lush native bush, beautiful rivers and big brownies

DAY TWO
Today, our quarry are large brown trout frequenting a large clear river that drains the Southern Alps. On an average day, anglers can expect to see at least a dozen brownies weighing up to six pounds each. These are hard fighting big shouldered browns and just to land one is a memorable experience. This is sight fishing at its best! The river meanders through developed farmland on its way to the Tasman Sea. The chance of a ten pounder is more than a remote possibility, this is trophy trout water. A reasonable level of fitness is required.

DAY THREE
We fish up the tidal reaches of a swamp fed river on the incoming tide for several miles. Your casting platform is a Stabi-craft pontoon boat which is powered by an electric outboard. This particular river drains a vast coastal swampland and is picturesque with native forest bordering its margins. The overhanging bushes and trees provide a challenge for the novice and expert alike. The trout are both resident and sea-run, being plump from a plentiful supply of mud crabs.

Will Schmitt with a prime South Westland brownie

These browns are colourful and average two pounds, but the chance of a big trophy sea-run is a real possibility. This trip is dependant on tidal influences, the best fishing being experienced about three hours each side of high tide.

DAY FOUR
There are two options for our last lay of fishing.

Option 1
We fish the margins of a small lake from either a boat or from the shore. A large proportion of this lake is six to ten feet deep and its waters abound with freshwater shrimps and molluscs. As to be expected, the lake provides plump trout that average over two pounds in weight. Again, there is always the chance of a trophy brownie. During the late summer and fall, there is also the chance of big sea-run king salmon. The browns are colourful and beautifully marked. Overhanging native forest around a large portion of the lake provides excellent opportunities for sight fishing with dry flies to cruising brownies that are targetting terrestrials.

Option 2
We fish a river mouth with a #6 weight outfit for kahawai, a hard fighting estuarine and inshore coastal game fish. Kahawai are a match for even experienced fly anglers and perform long hard runs and acrobatic gill shaking leaps. They enter the estuaries from half tide on and relentlessly pursue whitebait and other small schooling fish. Kahawai weigh up to eight pounds and on a light outfit, they are explosive and offer unbelieveable sport. They can be fished for from the shore or from the boat.

During the late afternoon, we cease fishing and head back to your accommodation in Cromwell.

The delicate flowers of this native mountain lacebark (Hoheria glabrata) were hanging over the stream edge. All part of the South Westland experience

COST

The total cost of this package deal (including guiding fees, licences, accommodation and meals) is as follows:

Single client	NZ$4115.00
Two clients	NZ$4580.00 or
each client	NZ$2290.00

All prices are in New Zealand dollars (NZ$) and 12.5% Goods and Services Tax is included

PLEASE NOTE:

• I reserve the right to alter the programme and swap the days around if dictated by weather conditions or tidal influences.
• I reserve the right to cancel a trip due to bad weather or other unforeseen circumstance. If this happens, I will endeavour to offer a similar fishing location to the satisfaction of both parties.

This is just an example of what I offer. If you wish, I can tailor-make a South Westland Safari to suit your particular requirements.

	TROUT FISHING SERVICES PO Box 32 Cromwell NEW ZEALAND Phone/fax 03 445 1745 International phone/fax 64 3 445 1745 Mobile 64 274 344 258 email: dick@troutfishingservices.com		The first trout guiding service to achieve Qualmark's "Endorsed Visitor Activity" status. Click for further information
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