Nelson flyfishing adventures offer you a full range of rivers - all within an hours drive. We often travel further South depending on river and weather conditions. The Motueka River is the main flystream in the Nelson district. It offers up to 70 kilometres of fishable water. With a gentle gradient providing easy wading - it features many excellent pools and runs. The Motueka is one of the best-stocked brown trout fisheries in the South Island. Like all good rivers in the South Island it requires careful stalking and delicate presentations of the fly to attract these fish, which average 3lb. This is where the skill of your guide will help the Motueka River become one of your favourite streams to fish in New Zealand.

The Motueka River also has many tributary streams such as the Baton and Wangapeka which also offer excellent fly fishing opportunities. The Wangapeka has a good stock of larger fish and consistently yields trophy trout upwards of 10lbs! Being a Mountain River, running through virgin forest, it is a delight to fish.

The Riwaka River is a small stream lined with willow and is spring fed from one of two forks in the headwaters. It offers a more 'personal feel' and is suited to a flyfisherman with a delicate approach. However many novice anglers have fantastic fishing on the 'Riwaka' which offers some surprisingly big trout. This stream usually stays clear while the Motueka River is in flood after rain.

The Buller and Wairau Rivers are within an hours drive from Nelson. The Buller is boisterous in its headwaters and is one of the South Island's biggest river systems with many tributaries offering superb brown trout fishing opportunities. Although the Buller is a good dry fly stream, it's perhaps more noted for it's excellent nymph fishing.

The Wairau is a large river also offering excellent fly-fishing for large brown trout averaging 5lb. It provides over 100 kilometres of good fishing with easy access and the chance to catch a trophy fish.

The Pelorus River is the fourth main river in the Nelson/Marlborough area. Rising in the Richmond ranges behind Nelson city, it flows through an impressive gorge before spilling out into a gentle valley which creates a medium size river flowing quietly through beg, wide pools and occasional rapids. The Pelorus has rainbow trout as well as brown's and is once again a delight to fish, especially when the fish are on the rise.

These rivers and these tributaries make up the four large river systems in the Nelson region, and all require careful stalking and delicate presentations for big wary brown's.

The backcountry rivers in the South Island are something special. They require a lot of effort to access, either by vehicle, hiking in, mountain bike or by helicopter. The scenery is unbelievable and the trout are big and strong but are still a challenge to catch even for a skilled angler. The mountain scenery, crystal clear streams and native bush coupled with the chance of a trophy brown trout make the backcountry a 'fabulous choice' for the visiting angler.

Because the trout that reside in these river systems are generally large and wary - it is recommended that you choose a guide who knows the rivers and conditions. Nelson Fly Fishing Adventures offer you guides who are familiar with all these river systems and will guarantee you a fun and exciting experience.