The Buller River system, along with majestic Lakes Rotoroa and Rotoiti, offers some of the finest fishing in the world. Because so many rivers flow out of the mountains into the Buller, anglers enjoy an abundance of fishing options close at hand. The selection ranges from small, intimate creeks to brash, massive rivers that carry huge amounts of water to the sea at Westport.
RIVERS
The Buller is the big river of the north. With a humble beginning from the overflow of Lake Rotoiti, the river picks up water from the Gowan, Owen, Hope, Mangles, Matiri, Matikitaki, Mariua, Deepdale, and Inangahua, to name a few of the major tributaries.
Each of these rivers in turn has numerous smaller sources that offer good sport for the adventurous angler. There are at least two dozen beats within a half hour of the house. Multiply this by five if you drive an hour, with fish up to ten pounds and endless trout in the three to six pound range.
As a fishing hub, Murchison is unequalled. Whatever your fancy in trout fishing, this area’s array of choices is impressive. These rivers are where the dream of landing a world class brown or rainbow puts excitement into each day’s outing!
The Blackwater Bungalow was built with this in mind, and pictures of massive trout adorn the walls.
LAKES
Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa are part of the Nelson Lakes National Park and just a hop over the hill from Murchison. Ringed by steep mountains, the lake settings are truly breathtaking with Black Swans swimming peacefully in both lakes. Excellent fishing rivers enter the far end of both lakes and hut accommodation is available at all three rivers, making the fishing options endless, river and lake alike. Water taxi service is available at each lake and both brown and rainbow trout populate the lakes and rivers.
GUIDES
Guides are plentiful and suggested, at least for the first few ventures on the rivers. Understanding the stealth required and necessity of spotting these big fish is of paramount importance to your success. Once the game is understood, the fishing opportunities just minutes from the door astonish even the most experienced anglers.
Here is a list of excellent guides we can recommend:
SEASONS
Generally the trout fishing season is from October 1 - April 30, though some areas are open year round.
You can check current seasons, as well as other important information such as bag and size limits, and what fishing methods are permitted, on this website: http://www.nzfishing.com/
