The Fishing
Fly Fishing for Salmon
Clusters of salmon fishermen are a common sight at the stony river mouths or higher up the rocky river valleys in Canterbury. Silhouetted against the silver early morning light they are a picture of concentration.
In the distance the peaks of the Southern Alps follow the horizon, a band of permanent snow highlighting their shape. These long braided rivers drop from the alps and cross the Canterbury Plains before emptying in to the Pacific Ocean. It is here that the Pacific chinook salmon arrive from the sea.
Canterbury is the heart of salmon fishing in New Zealand with wide braided rivers offering endless kilometres of prime salmon country and a great selection of fishing spots available. Your guide knows these rivers well and will find the right spot on the day.
The main spawning run for these sea salmon usually starts in December and runs through till mid-March, giving good fishing from November through till April. Fish sizes vary depending on the season and the time of year but a general guide is between 5 and 11 kgs (12 – 25lb) with an average around 7kg (15lb). Catch and release is not a requirement, so catch and eat is a definite option.
There are also land-locked salmon in some of the inland lakes and hydro canals, which are regularly restocked. This opens up the possibility of fishing in the high country as well.
There are four excellent salmon rivers within a 90 minute drive of Christchurch, allowing you to stay in a luxury lodge or boutique hotel and enjoy the finer things in life, with a day or two of great fishing added in.
We can also arrange a Big Fishing Day – head out to fish for salmon in the early morning, then spend the afternoon fly fishing for trout. What a day!