First can I make the point that everything written below on the state of the rivers in Southland is by way of observation, anecdotal. I am not a water management scientist, just a fly fisher who focuses keenly on the state of the water being fished, as I know it impacts on my quarry. Yet having fished out of the same area in Southland for 7 years I like to think we have a bit of a handle on what constitutes good or normal river conditions. Some might also ask why an Australian would bother to take the time to write something on their perception of the state of NZ waterways? Well, for my part, it’s because I feel an extraordinary privilege being given the opportunity to fish in New Zealand and would like to think this constitutes giving something back, over and above the cost of the licence or motel room.
We are just back from our first trip to NZ in three
