Where We Fish, South Island NZ
Fly Fishing Mackenzie Country
The Mackenzie Country holds the largest trout in New Zealand and, by most measures, the largest in the world. The Tekapo–Twizel canals run between the hydro lakes under the Southern Alps, stay open year round, and produce fish that regularly top 20lb with some over 30lb. Around them sit high-country lakes and glacial rivers that fish through the normal October to April season. It is a short run from Queenstown and features on our 3-day trips.
- Nearest airport
- Queenstown (ZQN) or Christchurch (CHC)
- Species
- Rainbow and brown trout, plus salmon in the canals
- Season
- Canals open year round; rivers 1 October to 30 April
- Typical size
- Canal fish 10 to 20lb+, some over 30lb
- From
- NZ$1,400 for a guided canal day
Why the canal trout are so big
The canals link the hydro lakes of the Waitaki scheme and carry cold, steady, oxygen-rich water year round. Salmon farms sit along them, and the trout that hold nearby feed on an unnatural abundance of protein. The result is fish that grow to sizes no wild river system in the world produces.
That does not make them easy. Big canal fish are wary, the takes are subtle, and playing a 20lb trout on light gear in moving water is a genuine test. This is technical fishing, not a novelty.
Fishing the canals with a guide
Jayden Johns is our head canal guide and Ben Booth and Scotty Miller fish this water year round, so we know where fish are holding on a given day rather than working it out on your time.
A guided canal day covers the rigging, reading the water, bite detection on a soft take, and the fight itself, which is where most unguided anglers lose the fish of the trip. Rods, reels, tackle and lunch are included.
Beyond the canals
The Mackenzie is not only canals. High-country lakes and the glacial rivers feeding them fish well through the main season, and the country itself, open tussock basins under Aoraki and the Southern Alps, is the kind of scenery people book a New Zealand trip for.
We often pair a canal day with river days in the same trip so you get both the trophy shot and the classic backcountry sight fishing.
The winter argument
The river season closes at the end of April, but the canals do not. If your only window to travel is the northern-hemisphere summer, the Mackenzie is the reason a New Zealand fishing trip still works in June or July.
Winter days here are short and cold, and the fish are at their heaviest. Bring a warm layer; we bring everything else.
Other Regions We Fish
Fly Fishing Canterbury High Country
Braided rivers and gin-clear spring creeks in the shadow of the Southern Alps. Reached from Christchurch, taking in the waters around Methven, Fairlie and Hanmer Springs. The heart of our 3-day expeditions.
Fly Fishing Central Otago
Clutha, Dunstan and the gold-country rivers. World-class winter fishing barely an hour from Queenstown, when the rest of the country has packed the rods away.
Fly Fishing South Westland
Wild West Coast rainforest rivers, remote, rarely fished and dramatic. We operate throughout South Westland for anglers chasing water few others ever see.
Spaces Are Limited Each Season
Your Backcountry
Adventure Awaits
Every trip is personally guided by Scott with small group sizes to keep things exclusive. Get in touch to check availability, tailor your itinerary, and lock in your dates on the water.