New Zealand Fly Fishing Adventures with Dean 'Deano' Harrison...

Gidday!!! And welcome to Deano's Fly Fishing Adventures. Fly fishing in New Zealand is the ultimate trout fishing experience that you don't want to miss! I specialise in guided river and lake fishing trips within Canterbury and the South Island of New Zealand.

I encourage you to take your time in my site. There are tons of pointers and tips on fishing New Zealand in the pages you find here. The info is free...much of it is alongside images in the gallery section. Grab yourself a bevvy or a brew, and have a good look around. I look forward to hearing from you sometime - you are welcome ask any questions or for more information by emailing me at dean@flyfishingadventures.co.nz. Your fly fishing adventure can be as simple or as challenging as you want to make it...I cater for everyone...novice to advanced...and all tackle can be supplied if requested.

I have to tell you - I 'LOVE' to fish, and I LOVE this beautiful country that I am so fortunate to live in. My mission is to give you the best darn trip possible - fabulous fishing, stunning scenery, memories to last a lifetime...all creating a strong desire to come back and do it all again...with me! For the real "adventure hound" in remote locations, to a quiet evening fishing a lake for the evening rise. Individuals, families and special event excursions, tents or cabins. Walk up a river, or fish the lake edge from the shore or an inflatable, I'm happy doing what I do, and my job is to make it happen for you!

My Profile...

I have lived most of my adult life in and around Christchurch. My 14 years as a 'resultant' (well, I like that word better than 'salesman'!!) in the radio advertising game has taught me a lot about people. I know how to get results in business, and how to help others uncover what it is they want. That led me to start my motivational and sales workshops and Momentum Training. You'll find more bibliography about my alter ego on the tabs of that site if you surf it.

However, I have always had a passion for the outdoors and I have had the luxury of fishing in many places around the world: Vanuatu, Belize, Northern territories of Australia, Cape York, Fiji, Numea,Tahiti...and of course New Zealand. There has been scope for me to have been a professional (albeit part-time) fishing guide for several years as an enjoyable sideline. I jokingly see myself as a bit of a 'creative leisure connoisseur'.

Recently however, I have made the move to live a conscious outdoors and more independent lifestyle choice, and move away a little from the frenetic world of advertising sales. I now guide fishing and back country adventures as much as possible, and continue to expand my sales training and lifeskill courses. Our home adds a new dimension to my life as we have added accommodation or homestay at Aldabrook options to guests. With my wife Becs, and Nico, our baby son, 80 odd chooks, 21 cattle, and the worlds first trout retrieving border terrier, Bindi..... life is great.

Locations and Accomodations...

Canterbury has some of this country's best fly fishing and for day trips here we have many river choices. Overnight and multiple day adventures can include Canterbury and South Westland on the South Island's West Coast. We'll stay in a hut or tent, or if this is a South Westland excursion, stay in my bach (cabin) or overnight on 'Goddess' (our 24 ft motor launch) and enjoy real West Coast hospitality and a few home comforts.

The weather patterns can determine our options for us of course...so we are always flexible with backup plans for any eventuality. There is a great choice of accommodation in the region, and tourism here is a big industry. I like to get an early start so you get maximum time on the river. I can also have my arm twisted to stay on the river late when the fishing is really good!!

Visitors often remark how like the postcards New Zealand actually is - to me it's more real than that. The scenery here cannot be captured on DVD: it's intense, relaxing, revitalising and just sheer pleasure to have timeout to fish in our peaceful clean pure Downunder waters.

The 'Nitty Gritty' Info re Fishing NZ...

Our fishing season here in the South Island commences October 1st of each year and runs until the end of April. Some areas are not open until November 1st each season. The best fishing is generally thought to be had from late November to mid March. In my opinion, true summer here is December through to February - with the most settled weather over Jan/Feb and March (great dry fly months) so I recommend coming to NZ then. Early season fishing (October or November) often sees unsettled weather and high water levels in our rivers...but if you get the weather and conditions right it can be spectacular.

A licence MUST be purchased for each angler that will use a rod. The licence cost is nominal - an adult day licence is approximately NZD$20. Season licences and 1 week licences are also available. I suggest buying your licence before you arrive - you can get it online by clicking here. It is mandatory to have a licence to hunt or fish in this country.

There is one national register for fishing guides in New Zealand - The NZPFGA - New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association. For a professional service that will meet your expectations, be sure your guide is a current member of the association. It goes without saying, that I am a current member. New Zealand has a reputation for large fish. This is still true, although with increasing angler pressure it becomes more difficult each season to target 'big fish'. The fishing here is technically quite difficult, our rivers are very clear. DO brush up on your casting skills before you hit the river. A good cast in challenging conditions can make a huge difference to your enjoyment of our fishing. Our fisheries are under constant pressure, so more and more guides are looking to travel further afield to maximise their client's fishing experience.

There are also free map resources available online - click here for NZ street maps, or click here for google maps.

Getting kitted out...

As we tend to favour 'sight fishing' here in New Zealand, your guide will assist you in learning how to spot fish, and how to cover the most likely water and raise fish to the fly. Part of this is wearing appropriate gear. We wear subdued tones and colours, we DO NOT wear reds, whites or bright colours as these do spook fish, and will reduce your catch dramatically. Felt soled boots are now banned in all New Zealand rivers... so do consider this when packing your gear. Breathable waders using fabrics such as 'gore-tex' can also make early and late season fishing more comfortable in the cold conditions.

Many fishermen favour camouflage gear with broken contours to further reduce the chance of spooking fish. For the same reasons it is recommended to use subtly coloured fly lines - where possible avoid white/orange lines (I doubt you could even buy one in New Zealand!! We don't use them here.) Pale greens and tans are best suited to our challenging conditions. Always wear a cap/hat as this also improves visibility into the water. Polaroids are essential on the river or lake...you won't see the fish unless you are wearing them. Bolle have an excellent range at your local stockist. I personally find the amber or orange toned lenses ideal for fresh water, with the blue and grey lenses better suited to salt water.

The rod weights most commonly used are 5, 6 and 7 here in the South Island (with 6's and 7's being favoured). With 8's and 9's being more common in the North Island systems over winter months for the rainbow spawning. Personally I carry and use Sage rods. I have several on hand that you may use as part of your day/trip. We predominantly fish dry flies, and nymphs. The local fishing retailers will happily share with you the more successful patterns for each area.

Pesky Sandflies and Health Warnings...

Some anglers still enjoy wet fly fishing at river mouths and in the evenings. We have a native insect called the 'sandfly'...a pesky brute with a nasty bite. Do carry insect repellent for your fishing comfort especially when in high country areas and when lake fishing in the South Island. In extreme back country areas, you may find a 'head-net' a great accessory as the sandflies can be prolific in these areas.

New Zealand is fortunate to have no dangerous animals such as snakes and only two mildly poisonous spiders - the domestic 'whitetail' (usually found in curtains, will give you a small swelling) or the Katipo (I personally have never seen one). Apart from the sandfly, about the most noxious pest you are likely to run into is the odd Australian tourist spouting off about the rugby and cricket! New Zealand is a very safe and healthy place but I do suggest drinking bottled water unless advised it is cleared to drink from the wild. Please make sure you tell me if you have a medical condition....I'd rather know than when we are 200 kilometres from the nearest town!

4WD, Bunk-beds, Holiday Snapshots and Fun Extras...

Much of our fishing is accessed by 4-wheel drive vehicle. Overnight stays are commonplace for many, eliminating the need for daily travel to-and-from the river. Tents or cabins are the most common sleeping arrangement. Of course there are hotels and lodges...but these are not always near the river!! The cabin pictures to the right are typical of the Canterbury region. Talk to me about any accommodation requirements or preferences that you may have. Helicopter adventures can further optimise your experience if you have the money to invest.

We carry walkie talkies to ensure constant contact...handy if your guide is spotting for you from a cliff on the other riverbank. We also carry Pentax Optio WPI cameras, to capture your fishing adventure for your album. You'll be given a complete set of images taken at the end of your trip without charge. I retail these cameras as well, they are available for purchase here

A Little Hunting...

I am always happy to carry a rifle or two along on a trip if you so desire. New Zealand has many animals to hunt: rabbits abound, ducks, geese, pheasant, quail, possums (a pest here in NZ), wild pig, deer...these are all part of the natural habitat if you wish to go looking for them. I do not charge extra to include this as I am not a 'hunting guide', (although am a keen hunter myself) but am happy to help you have a go. It's all part of YOUR adventure - you just have to let me know what YOU want to do. I can even throw in a clay-bird thrower and shotguns - there is a small charge for the clays ($40 a box) and the shotgun rounds for claybird days. This is a lot of fun for corporate days and parties of several people and makes a great alternative to live hunting.

Fishing our New Zealand rivers is VERY different to fishing elsewhere in the world...

Look carefully...there is a trout in this image. Ok - so it's pretty easy to spot, it had to be for me to get a photo that would register an image for the site. Most fishing here is sight fishing, we don't do much blind fishing AT ALL. I am not being critical...but it is my experience that most visiting anglers just do not 'see' the fish in the rivers here, and so they don't catch them!!

I know anglers that have visited NZ for many seasons that will walk past fish because they just can't see them! It takes time and practice to read our rivers - 99% of visiting anglers will spook many fish and never know it. The fish are big...but they are found in different habitats over the river. It is not uncommon to walk 500-600 yards/metres between fish. There will not be a fish in between!!! I see anglers who don't understand this waste valuable time and effort thrashing water that I can 'see' has no fish in it.

As a rule, you will not find multiple fish in a pool or run...there will be one big fish, maybe two if you are very lucky. We then walk upstream to the next fish, which we 'spot'. This is why it is not uncommon to walk 5 miles in a day (8 kilometres) or more. I cannot emphasise enough the need for you to be able to cast...I can get you to the fish...but you have to cast to it. The time to learn is not when you are about to cast into the wind to a nine pound trout...PRACTICE before you get here...or invest a few dollars in a casting clinic. Often you get ONE shot.

These fish spook easily, and once spooked, will be 'down' for the rest of the day (at least) and very reluctant to play for a couple of days. This is why it is important we are on water that has no other anglers. If there is another angler on the water in front of us that water is now 'dead' to us. It will not fish well for a few days. We would be wasting our time (and your money) to follow in someones footsteps...remember this, whether you use a guide or not - you MUST be fishing 'untouched' water to have a good chance of catching fish. (Untouched water to me is anything that has not been fished for at least 3 days before our arrival...preferably a week or more!) I have had many anglers express great surprise at this fact so am posting it here on the front page of my site so you know that it doesn't matter who guides you, you need unfished water to do well when fishing for big trout in back country rivers in New Zealand. The exceptions to this rule are rivers like the Mataura in Southland that has a prolific evening rise, this can handle multiple anglers over several days running.

Stay with us at our place and fish to beauties like these!

There are lots of great reasons to stay with us at Aldabrook. (The name of our property) We live on 16 acres, we have cattle, chooks, lots of space to get yourself 'grounded' on... and our own river! We have just over 800 metres of river boundary on the property, there is lots more river to fish on the neighbours land next door. The river is spring fed, it is almost always gin clear and has INCREDIBLE visibilty, and amazing fish in it. The fish are wild trout, and Salmon in the Salmon spawning season. (Late January thru April)
Our prices are fair, we have vehicles you can hire that come complete with camping gear and everything you can think of or want for your fishing trip/holiday break.
We can collect you from the airport, and drop you back there when you depart. Why stay in a motel when you can stay here? The accomodation is seperate to the house, and is beautifully appointed. Have a look at the full accomodation information via the link in the site... www.aldabrook.co.nz

This 20 pound salmon was caught 20 metres from the back door.. and released back into the river to spawn.

A Personal Note (or two)...

This 9 pound trout was caught right in front of the house, maybe 25 metres from the deck! We have some magnificent wild trout in our river, another great reason to start your trip with us here at our home, there is no charge for the fishing, and it gives you a chance to get your arm in before we go back-country.
Very few people get to fish our river, it is access by request only, and catch and release.
A last mention of gear, if you haven't got it leave it to me, I'll get it sorted for you! Rods, reels, camo gear (I have quite a bit here...it's worn, but it's always clean and I have most sizes covered.) I can supply flies and tippet if you haven't any or the ones you have are not quite right for our conditions. We favour catch and release, although when on a trip I have no problem taking a small fish of 3-4 pound for an evening meal if it is permitted in the given fishery.

When I leave a camp, be it from a day-trip or overnighter, I always aim to leave just our footprints behind. Keeping NZ 'clean and green' is something I'm committed to. Its good to respect the back country environment and wildlife...some of the flora and fauna here are delicate - and they are part of what makes it such a vibrant yet especially tranquil place.
I look forward to seeing you here sometime!
Tight lines.
Deano

Eel feeding at night when you stay with us at Aldabrook

At night the river abounds with all sorts of wonderful critters!
We have lots and LOTS of eels that will come out at night and feed from your hand. A bag of mince is included at no charge in the accomodation.. if you are feeling brave you may even want to tickle an eel or two!

Kiwi Camo Gear.. 'ROUGH-AS-GUTS'

The gear and clothing we wear here is as diverse as it is unique. Most fishermen now understand the importance of wearing some form of camo (to break up the fishermans outline and make them harder for fish to see, and hence spook), with a good base layer of merino(wool) undergarment and rugged, warm, breathable outer layer.
Remember, it may be fine and sunny when you start your day, but if it gets cold and windy you can really suffer if you havent enough layers and protection.

Vicky, my wifes Mum, has a made to order product line called 'Rough as Guts'
Give me your size and what you want (or ask me if you are not sure) and Vicky will make it and have it here ready for you to wear on arrival.
The sizing is as follows
Runt (small)

Scrawny bastard (medium)

Real Bloke (large)

Big Buggar (X large)

Huge Hunk (XXLarge )

I really enjoy my kiwi camo gear, its good kit, and a permanent reminder/memory from your trip down under!

Heres Roan (Vickys husband) and I wearing long sleeved Kiwi Camo tops.. Roan is also wearing a hat thats great for evenings around the campfire.
Long Sleeve tops $110NZD in the camo pattern of your choice
Short sleeve tops are $100 NZD.

Meet Nico and 'Och Aye the Moo'

Heres Nico in his rough as guts camo gear (yes, we can make to order for kids.... go on, order some... your son/daughter will love you for it!) and 'Och Aye the moo'... the newest addition to Aldabrook. Och Aye is a highland steer.. he's just a lad now, but will grow into a magnificent long horned highland cattle beast. You can feed him by hand when you come stay.