Access map

A premier fly fishing river offering over 30kms of fishable water within the beautiful Fiordland National Park. The river flows mostly over open land with a stable shingle and stone bed between tussock covered banks. It offers generally easy fishing conditions though there are a few areas of beech bushland.

While generally very clear it can carry some colour from glacial melt giving the water a turquoise tinge. It can also flood very quickly and may take up to 4 days to clear after heavy rain. The lower and middle reaches around Walker Creek tend to hold most stock but you can catch trout as far up as Cascade Creek though the section above there is virtually inaccessible.

The east branch is unstable and only worth fishing near the confluence. There are a few trout in the lower reaches of Smithy Creek, flowing through the tussock just beyond Knobs Flat.

The best months are November to January and April-May.

A 4km gravel road takes you to the mouth from Te Anau Downs, then SH94 follows the river’s true left (east side of the river) upstream for its entire length. In places you’ll need to walk through tussock flats and beech bush to reach the river. See the access map.

Nymphs:
Pheasant Tails, Halfbacks, Hares Ear, in sizes 12 - 14.

Dry flies: 
In summer try Blowfly, Blue Dun, Royal Wullf and Kakahi Queen

Wet flies:
Small flies such as Greenwells Glory, March Brown and Palmer patterns

Spinners: No spinning allowed