Fishing Safaris

The Clutha (Big River) is a magnificent fishery with a great range of opportunities for anglers of all persuasions. It enters the sea on the east coast about 80 kilometers south of the city of Dunedin. It traverses most of Otago starting in the northwest and flowing southeast. It is New Zealand's biggest by volume (mean annual flow 550 cumecs) and second biggest by length (300kms). It rises in the Southern Alps as the Hunter and Makarora rivers and flows through Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. The Kawarau river is a major tributary, draining Lake Wakatipu and meeting the Clutha at Cromwell in Lake Dunstan. Hydro dams are situated at Clyde and Roxburgh.

In the headwaters there are brown and rainbow trout, and land locked Chinook salmon. The rainbows are still to be found in lakes Hawea, Wanaka, Wakitipu and Dunstan.

Chinook salmon are found in all the lakes including Lake Roxburgh, but the really big fish are the sea runners which arrive in the river around December-March. They run up to the Roxburgh dam which stops further migration.

The lower Clutha is also home to a run of sea trout, the same as those found in Britain where the original stocks came from. These frequently exceed 10lbs and 5-7lbs are common. Sea trout arrive early in November with another run in January. A good sized one of these fish will test any anglers skills, they really use the big waters of the Clutha to their advantage.

Trips of all configurations are available - from half days to several days. Several days expeditions can be arranged to suit your particular interests. For example, you may wish to combine some sea trout fishing in coastal waters with some browns around a lake shore in Central Otago - both are within easy reach.

Match the hatch fishing, fish with a nymph or a lure to imitate forage fish. Fish at any time of the day, depending on fish behaviour, and cover as many miles as you wish!