Anglers Head for High Country

Otago’s high-country rivers opened on November 1, attracting everyday Kiwi anglers and high-spending international visitors alike.

Lake Hāwea-based guide Jeff Forsee, who has fished around the world — including guiding in Alaska and Mongolia — firmly believes New Zealand offers the world’s best trout fishing.

“New Zealand's very much on the radar for international trout anglers,” Mr Forsee, who runs Aotearoa Anglers, said.

Pictured: Guide Jeff Forsee was looking forward to the high-country fishing season.

Most of his fishing clients are American or Australian, but others come from all over the world.

Sight-fishing for trout in New Zealand’s high country is something special, he said.  

“These are beautiful clear mountain streams. When we're walking up the river it's very much like hunting. We're looking for individual trout and we see them in the river and we come up with a plan to catch them.

“It's very challenging but very rewarding when it happens.”

Trout fishing was good for the economy and good for the mind, Mr Forsee said.

Each year anglers spend between $113 million and $139 million on their trips and contribute about 1000 jobs nationwide, NZIER research shows. International visitors inject valuable tourism dollars into rural and regional economies, spending an average of $340 a day.

“It’s huge,” guide Jeff Forsee said. “It's our whole life. It's how we feed our kids and pay our mortgage,” Mr Forsee said. “There's a tremendous amount of economic roll-on.

“We’re fishing all over the country. We fish locally where we live, and we fish in the rural sector a lot. These are small communities with small businesses – the cafes and the accommodation, and the travel to and from there.”

Domestic and international anglers collectively spend about one million days fishing New Zealand’s rivers and lakes.

A major New Zealand study of 1900 anglers, published in Leisure Sciences, confirms fishing can significantly boost mental health and wellbeing. The more people fished, the better their mental health, the study shows.

“Without a doubt, no matter what's going on in your world, when you step on the river it's  really a mindful activity,” Mr Forsee said. “You just be present in that time and forget about the chaos of the world – disconnect.”

Otago Fish & Game officer Bruce Quirey said there were plenty of fishing options despite recent bad weather.

“Smaller tributaries and beech-lined rivers that clear quickly – and stillwaters that don’t discolour - should fish well after that snowfall and rain left big rivers unsettled,” he said.

“With these areas likely to attract more anglers, please share the water, respect others on the river, and leave an intentions note at your vehicle before heading out.”

Anglers should check for track or road closures with Queenstown Lakes District Council and the Department of Conservation, as some have been affected.

They are also reminded to carry the correct Fish & Game licences, including for any Designated Waters Fisheries. Select here for more information on the Designated Waters licence - Fish & Game