Ben Kemp - Drift Boat Fishing Guide

  "Go with the Flow" 

Wilderness River Drift Boat Fishing Trips in New Zealand

New Zealand Distance Calculator

Drift Boats provide an excellent way for people from all walks of life to go fly fishing. Guide Ben Kemp, from the Lake Brunner region of the West Coast of New Zealand, shows the enjoyment of some of the remote and inaccessible areas of the South Island via drift boats.

Cliff Beauchamp, of Springfield, Missouri	16 ft Drift boat, Orangipuku River rain forest

There are very few drift boats in New Zealand, and fewer guides actively building and using these craft. We say "Go with the Flow!" This site shows the fishing enjoyed by Ben Kemp in areas seldom seen or touched by other anglers. Trips are either daily, overnight, or multi-day basis, on a variety of rivers and lakes on both east and west coasts of the South Island of New Zealand. Such fishing offers the chance to practice a wide variety of techniques, and the opportunity for physically challenged anglers to participate. 

24/7 Fishing

Fishing is available 24/7, all year round! Some of the smaller spawning streams do close for a few months during winter, but Lake Brunner and its outlet, the Arnold River, are both open every day of the year!

Gorgeous hen fish, 22ins, 3 lbs - Crooked River

Drift boats - McKenzie River style Our riverboats are hand-built replica's of the famous Mackenzie river dories. Float for hours in peace and quiet, along tranquil waters where the only sound is the rumble of the river, the slopping of the water against wood, and the calls of native songbirds. Observing nature at its finest, as the river skirts prehistoric forests, this is an environmentally friendly way to travel. We personally hand-build our own riverboats, from US-sourced boat plans, using the finest materials and fittings available in NZ . Our riverboats are comfortable and dry, customised for fly fishing.

Trout are predominantly Brown Trout. Fish numbers are relatively high, with fish weights averaging 2.5 lbs, 18-20inches in length. The Arnold River has, according to drift-dive surveys, a population of around 540 trout per mile. Fish of +5lbs (24-26 inches) are not uncommon. There are some rainbow in the Taramakau

Lake Brunner and its outlet, the Arnold River, are fishable all year round. It’s tributaries, and adjacent lakes such as Poerua, Haupiri, Hochstetter, Lady and Kangaroo all close during autumn/winter spawning periods. The main season ends 30 April, reopens 1 October each year. Most rivers running into the Tasman Sea are fishable from the river mouth upstream to at least the first highway bridge. Others, such as the Grey, Taramakau and Hokitika, are fishable inland to the mountains.

Fishing pressure is low, especially away from the most popular lakes. The population of the West Coast is approximately 30,000 people and falling. The majority live in the towns of Greymouth, Hokitika, Westport and Reefton, leaving the countryside sparsely populated in a region of some 2 million hectares (4.5 million acres) and extending from Karamea to Haast, a distance of about 600 kilometres, of 350 miles.

The sheer size of the lake, and the difficult riverbank access along the Arnold River and others, combine to limit the angler on foot. This is especially so during the autumn/winter period of reduced river availability and higher water levels. The use of a MacKenzie-style river dory, or drift boat, resolves those issues completely for us, allowing for wonderful days of fishing in comfort, with access to every bay, and to every river pool. 

A wide variety of fishing techniques are permitted by the local regulations.

• Trolling and harling are popular. Live bait (e.g. worms, minnows) is permitted in the West Coast region

• Productive fly fishing methods include streamers/lures on sinking lines, those imitating cockabullies, smelt or freshwater crayfish being best. Patterns include Hamill's Killer, Woolly Bugger and Mrs Simpson for day time use, Black Prince, Black Marabou and Fuzzy-Wuzzy for evening and after dark. Red bodied lures have always been more effective than yellow or green. Smaller sizes (6-8) work better during daylight hours, bigger is better after dark.
• A nymph on a dropper under a big dry fly, drifted down river edges from the drift boat, is also very effective. Try a Royal Wulf or Stimulator on top, with Pheasant Tail, Hare & Copper or Hare's Ear are consistently successful. The "flashback" variations are also effective, sometimes more so than the plain. Nymph sizes need to be small in most locations - 12-16 are recommended.

A comfortable 2.5 hour drive from Christchurch International Airport, across the Southern Alps via State Highway 73 will get you to Lake Brunner. Alternatively, there is a daily bus service (Alpine Coaches which passes through Moana at Lake Brunner, as does the TranzAlpine Express train service which is highly recommended. Alpine Coaches can be contacted for bookings on free phone 0800 274 888. The TranzRail free phone for bookings is 0800 802 802.

There are numerous Scenic Reserves, State Forests and National Parks within an hour or two of the lake. Paparoa National Park, home of the "Pancake Rocks" and blowholes, is only 45 minutes away. Shantytown, the West Coast Historical & Mechanical Society's gold mining museum, is also nearby. It is 2.5 hours south to Franz Joseph Glacier.

Figures are shown for the nearest meteorological station, Hokitika Airport, which is on the coast approximately 35 miles to the south-west of Lake Brunner. These figures are averaged over a 30 year period.

Average Rainfall by month for Hokitika

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
mm	244.7	198.7	231.5	233.3	247.2	228.4	224.2	227.7	229.8	277.1	263.1	253.2	2859.1
inches	9.6	7.8	9.1	9.2	9.7	9.0	8.8	9.0	9.0	10.9	10.4	10.0	112.6

Average Temperature by month for Hokitika

The increased warmth brings the onset of cicadas, always a good thing! Terrestrials such as grasshoppers are also prone to drop into the rivers and streams once the weather heats up. The dry/nymph combo of a Stimulator and Hare’s Ear along the overhanging banks is a good choice.

Along the lake margins, trout are aggressively cruising for cockabullies and smelt in shallow water. Often, they can be seen in 3-4 inches of water, dorsal fins above the surface as they hunt their prey. Use a small bully, smelt or koura imitation – and a floating line is often a better choice than a sinking, for fast lifts and re-casts. Best time is mid-morning, once sun reaches above the trees and gives the best angle of penetration for superb visibility. Some fish will also take a close look at a dry fly/nymph combo. Try a small horned caddis, water boatman, or snail on the dropper, and cicada, or big black gnat above.

Water temperatures climb as levels drop. Fish may become lethargic, and many will seek respite in cooler river mouths, where higher oxygen levels combine to make life more bearable. At times, trout will congregate in large numbers in the first 200-300 yards of water upstream from river/stream mouths.

Stealth is a prerequisite for success in all waters. Fish have been disturbed by trolling boats, swimmers, water skiers, jet skis and other anglers, and are often easily spooked.

River mouths are also frequented by kahawai throughout summer, and a session of saltwater fly fishing for these is an experience no one will forget in a hurry! For the uninitiated, a kahawai is a silver torpedo with the highest power to weight ratio of any fish in New Zealand waters! Weighing 4-8lbs, they are fast, acrobatic and savage fighters. On light tackle, they are a handful, and make wonderful sashimi!

March may be the best month of the year…. Weather is usually good,, insect numbers at their peak, and trout are in superb condition. The fishing is more difficult, due to the abundance of food sources, and the low, clear waters levels. However, this is a great time to explore the back country rivers, and "being there" is often more important than how many fish are actually caught. A good opportunity to hone stalking skills, and presentation and equipment must be meticulous for consistent success. Small flies, long leaders and fluorocarbon tippets all become more important!

April 30^th brings the end of the main season, and all spawning rivers and streams close. Most local anglers pack their rods and tackle away, and oil up the shotgun – duck season starts on the first Saturday in May! Depending on location/weather the trout migrate upstream to spawn, and numbers do drop noticeably along the lake margins. However, the observant duck hunter might note with interest that there are still trout jumping all around the duck blind or mai-mai.

The pleasures of autumn/winter fishing are shared with few others. In fact, it is most unusual to meet another angler on the riverbanks!

Cold and wet as it can be, the fishing can be excellent despite being constrained to a narrower range of waters. Actually, we often have long periods of settled weather with frost followed by brilliant fine days. Those who brave the frosts, or the winter rains, can have unexpectedly good results. Lots of fleecy clothes, chest waders and warm jackets can make this time of year one of the best. On one wet and windy day in August 2001 a lady guest caught & released 10 fine trout, and another 5 the following day!

Spring usually delivers the wettest weather of the year, but the fishing action heats up throughout the region. Spawning trout have returned to lakes and rivers, and are hungry. Lack of riverbank activity for several months has lowered alertness levels, and this combination can make for great spring fishing. Raincoats, chest waders, and a broad-brimmed hat are effective antidotes to the erratic spring weather.

September can produce great results for those trolling the lake. Use a Tasmanian Devil a yard or so behind a lure e.g. Hamill’s Killer etc. The Tasmanian Devil should include red/gold/black, or try a Toby. Traditionally, those lures which are predominantly gold, with red on the head, and with either black stripes or spots, seem to catch more fish…. As observed over 40 years of fishing the lake! J

The annual whitebait season commences locally at the beginning of September. These anchovy-like fish run into the coastal rivers and streams from the ocean, bringing with them lots of opportunist sea-run brown trout. Fishing for these sea-run browns is great fun, as they are feisty, fat and fun on the fly! A sinking line fished down and across at 45 degrees, with a Grey Ghost, Doll Fly, Taupo Tiger, Silicon Smelt etc is the best method.

Access

Public access to all freshwater in  New Zealand is enshrined in legislation. This is quite unlike the UK and many other countries where rivers are in private ownership and fishermen must pay for access. With payment of an annual license fee to any of the regional Fish & Game authorities, the angler has the right to fish virtually every lake and waterway in the country, subject to the local regulations. The only exception is the Taupo area, where a specific license is required. Despite the unrestricted public access, the pressure is low by international standards. True, there are busy angling areas, particularly in the North Island. However,  in the south Island, by getting off the beaten track a little, it is also possible to stay for weeks, to fish different water every day, and rarely see another angler.

Vehicle and/or boat access to excellent water is readily available. It is possible to spend literally weeks here and fish a different river or lake every day! The more adventurous can charter light aircraft or helicopter flights into really remote and rugged mountain streams. These trips may be set up as day excursions, or for longer periods if desired.

With payment of an annual license fee to any of the regional Fish & Game authorities, the angler has the right to fish virtually every lake and waterway in the country, subject to the local regulations. The only exception is the Taupo area, where a specific license is required. Despite the unrestricted public access, the pressure is low by international standards. True, there are busy angling areas, particularly in the North Island. However,  in the South Island, by getting off the beaten track a little, it is also possible to stay for weeks, to fish different water every day, and rarely see another angler. 

Where rivers do not cooperate by running alongside roads, most land owners are quite happy to allow access across their property - especially if you have the courtesy to ask! Please leave gates exactly as you find them, and take care not to disturb stock unduly! 

We provide advice on the best techniques for local areaa. Because of the diversity of trout habitat, the different diets, and weather conditions, every angler has a great opportunity to experiment with different techniques. Within the regulations governing freshwater angling, a variety of methods is permissible; e.g. all the fly variations  you can think of, as well as less elegant methods such as live baits, spinning, trolling, jigging, harling, lead-lines, downriggers etc. 

The Rivers 

Arnold River - West Coast, the outlet from Lake Brunner. Being the outlet from the lake, it does not discolour as readily in flood times. It has a very stable bed, meaning lots of insects and aquatic plant life. The regular drift dive surveys consistently confirm brown trout populations at around 240 fish per kilometer. The river is slow and serene in the upper sections. Banks are overgrown with trees and scrub, flax and reeds, and fishing from shore is difficult, with riverbank access at only a few points.

Ahaura River - West Coast. This is best done as a multi-day wilderness camping trip. An overnight camp in the gorge allows a relaxed pace, good coverage of the interesting pools, and an opportunity to fish the evening rise. This is a river with almost no vehicle or even foot access, except for 2-3 points where 4WD vehicles may get close via old logging tracks. The deep gorge, with vertical gravel cliffs, precludes access upstream or downstream from those points.

Hurunui River - in North Canterbury. Below the Lewis Pass highway to the State Highway 1 bridge. Above this point, the river is braided, and the shingle bed meanders and changes with every flood. A few kilometers downstream of the Lewis Pass highway, the river is confined once more into a narrow, but mellow gorge. The numerous pools provide a home for some very large trout! Salmon are also common in this river in autumn, taking advantage of the pools to rest up on their journey.

Drift Boats - The Compelling Reason

Drift boats offer you an unparalleled opportunity to fish waters largely untouched from season to season. And to stay warm and dry!!!

Contact me for more Information on Drift Boat fly fishing In New Zealand

E-MAIL  

Telephone- Local : 0274 778 078

Telephone - International: (+64) 0274 778 078  

[ Kingfisher Lodge ] [ Rates ] [ Guest Book ] [ FAQ's ] [ Photos ] [ Ben Kemp's Drift Boats, Hand Built in New Zealand ] [ Feedback Form ] [ Search Engines ] sitemap