THE 'BEST' OF NEW ZEALAND HUNTING 

Home   Hunting   Gamebirds   Trophies   About Us   Guide Profiles

Trout and Salmon Fishing

Best of New Zealand Hunting offers superb fishing, particularly brown and rainbow trout angling. Our main fishing guides are Glenn Martin in the North Island, and Greg Dougherty in the South Island. Hunters who want to fish while on hunting safari may do so with any of our guides, and this will be organised on a daily fee basis, or specialist fishing guides contracted. Glenn Martin  can also provide Big Game fishing after marlin, kingfish, tuna, and shark.

Flyfishing, or spinning are the techniques used for trout. Either fish South Island rivers and lakes for brown, rainbow, sea run trout, kahawai and salmon or fish pristine wilderness areas like the North Island Whanganui River for trophy brown and rainbow trout. Success is never a guarantee, but four to six fish days are common and 20 fish days do happen.

The average rainbow trout is 3 pounds with brown trout averaging slightly larger. Fish in the 6 to 10 pound bracket are a distinct possibility.

James Gray knows all the farmers in his patch of North Canterbury: South Island, and consequently has permission to access brilliant, private fishing spots. He can put you on the fish, all you have to do is hook and land them. His speciality is free range hunting/ wilderness trout angling safaris where clients hunt and fish on the same trip. A daily fee only applies regardless of the activity, but four day bookings are a minimum. James is our bird dog when it comes to finding areas that hold trophy heavyweight trout.     

Greg Dougherty is a drift fishing expert who has access to several very special South Island rivers, while Glenn Martin and John Ham have the renowned Whanganui River with its trophy brown and rainbow trout flowing through their hunting property. Hunt/fish trips are a speciality. with March and April being great hunting and fishing months. Salmon, like this 20 pound beauty caught in the South Island are another fishing possibility during the months December to April. Numbers are low to moderate so there are no guarantees with this fish species. An alternative to river salmon fishing is canal fishing where large fish feed off salmon pellets from fish farms.

Brendan Matthews is a large hunting outfitter, who offers fishing  as well because he is located amongst some of the best trout fishing in the country. His region is South Canterbury: South Island, known for kahawai, trout and salmon. He can take you to the fish, by vehicle or boat, show you where they are finning, and then help you catch them. The Waitaki River is right on his doorstep and clients have landed some mighty fish from this waterway. It holds both trout and salmon. Four day bookings are a minimum.

Contact Greg: fairchase@paradise.net.nz