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Trips

Fly Fishing - South Island, New Zealand

Join expert guides Kristina and Daryl in Lumsden - the heart of New Zealand's trout fishing mecca. They offer patient, professional fly and spin fishing guidance tailored to your exact skill level, taking you from absolute beginner to confident angler in a relaxed, intimidation-free environment.

from NZ$1,440

1–2 anglers per guide

  • Southland
  • full day
  • 1–2 anglers / guide
  • season Oct–May
  • gear included
Check availability
  • Inquiry is free and non-binding
  • Deposit only after you accept the offer
  • We answer within 24 h

from NZ$1,440

1–2 anglers per guide

Guide: Kristina Placko & Daryl Paskell

When

Anglers2
Days1
TotalNZ$1,440
Deposit now20% of the guide priceNZ$240
Balance to the guideNZ$1,200
Check availability

Free · no obligation · deposit only after you accept the offer

We answer within 24 h

Prefer to talk? Write to us on WhatsApp

The essentials

At a glance

TechniquesFly fishing, Spinning
Group size1–2 anglers per guide
Guide speaksEnglish
Terrain5–15 km on foot

The trip

From Curious to Capable in New Zealand's Wild Rivers Just a 1.5-hour scenic drive from Queenstown lies Lumsden, a true mecca for trout anglers. Operating out of this world-renowned fishery, Kristina and Daryl offer unparalleled access to spectacular stillwater lakes, high-country freestone rivers, and storybook spring creeks.

They believe fishing is for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or experience. Whether you are picking up a fly rod for the very first time, or you are an advanced angler hunting a backcountry trophy, your day on the water is completely customized to your goals. The fishing consists mostly of tactical wading and sight-fishing in crystal-clear waters. They focus on building your skills and confidence at your own pace, providing premium gear, a wholesome lunch, and genuine Kiwi hospitality along the way.

Programs

Choose Your Challenge (Licenses)

They adapt the location to your skill level. Beginners fish on a standard daily license ($23 NZD) on accessible waters with more fish and easier terrain. Experienced anglers hunting exclusive trophy trout can opt for the premium backcountry license ($273 NZD) to access remote, lower-pressure rivers that require advanced wading and casting skills.

Fly or Spin Fishing

They specialize in both traditional fly fishing and light-tackle spin fishing. If your group of two wants to fish using the same method, one guide will take care of you. If one person wants to fly fish and the other prefers spinning, we will provide a second guide to ensure everyone gets the dedicated attention they deserve.

What you fish for

  • Brown Trout

    Brown Trout

    Globally famous for massive, wild Brown Trout. Stalking these smart fish in clear rivers is the ultimate sight-fishing challenge.

  • Rainbow Trout

    Rainbow Trout

    Famous for acrobatic jumps and hard strikes. These powerful fighters in fast freestone rivers will test your gear and angling skills.

What anglers catch here

Brown trout dominate the Southland rivers. On a typical day, you can expect to catch beautiful, wild fish ranging from 1 to 4 lbs. Rainbow trout are also present in specific river systems and stillwaters. Because they favor different environments, a day usually focuses on targeting either Browns or Rainbows. Both species require careful presentation - whether sight-fishing to individual fish in crystal-clear water, or expertly reading the river to fish blind. Larger specimens are always a possibility, especially if you opt for the premium backcountry waters.

Who takes you out

30
years guiding
24 h
to our first reply
Kristina Placko & Daryl Paskell

Kristina Placko & Daryl Paskell

Speaks English

30 years of experience

Kristina Placko and Daryl Paskell are the passionate co-founders of Flyfishing Southland NZ, bringing together their unwavering love for the sport and the captivating beauty of the Southland region to offer exceptional, tailor-made adventures. As the lead…

On the water

  1. 07:30

    Meet at the agreed spot near Lumsden (own car) or pickup within 20 min

  2. 08:30

    First river - licence check, rig up, start spotting fish

  3. 13:00

    Streamside lunch, then a second river or a fresh stretch

  4. 17:30

    End of day back at the meeting point

This is a sample plan — your guide picks the water to suit the weather and the state of the river.

What's covered

Is it for you

Ideal if…

  • you are comfortable walking and wading 5–15 km a day on rocky, uneven riverbeds
  • you are a beginner - standard day-license waters offer a great, low-stress environment to learn
  • you want to sight-fish for wild brown trout with access to 40+ rivers within an hour of Lumsden
  • you are staying near Lumsden or have your own rental car

Not for you if…

  • you are looking for a half-day trip (they offer full days only)
  • you are based in Queenstown without a car (it’s a 1.5-hour drive each way and pickups aren't provided)
  • you expect to fish premium backcountry waters on a standard day permit (non-residents must purchase a full-season license, approx. $273 NZD, to access these areas)
“Southland browns are big and spooky; a handful of good shots a day is a good day.”

Booking

Money

Days1 angler2 anglers
1 dayNZ$1,440NZ$1,440
2 daysNZ$2,880NZ$2,880
3 daysNZ$4,320NZ$4,320

For 1 day, 2 anglers

TotalNZ$1,440
Deposit now20% of the guide priceNZ$240
Balance to the guideNZ$1,200

Getting there

Southland — the fishing area, not an exact meeting point.

Nearest airport: Queenstown (ZQN) 1.5 h; Invercargill (IVC) 1 h - return airport transfer available (NZD 800)

Where to stay:

Suggestions only — you book your own lodging.

Season, month by month

  1. January
  2. February
  3. March
  4. April
  5. May
  6. June
  7. July
  8. August
  9. September
  10. October
  11. November
  12. December

dark = best months · mid = open · pale = closed

Packing

Good to know

Do I need to bring my own fishing gear?

You are welcome to bring your own, but guide can also provide high-quality fly and spin rods, reels, waders, boots, and all terminal tackle for an additional $60 NZD per person. Just bring weather-appropriate clothing and a reusable water bottle.

Do I need prior fly fishing experience?

Absolutely not. Guides love taking anglers from complete beginners to confident casters. Their standard day-license rivers offer a relaxed, intimidation-free environment that is perfect for learning the ropes.

Can one of us fly fish while the other spin fishes?

If you book a single guide for two anglers, we ask that you both use the same method so the guide can give you their full attention. If you want to fish two different methods simultaneously, we will arrange a second guide for your trip.

How do we get to Lumsden if we are staying in Queenstown?

Lumsden is a very straightforward and scenic 1.5-hour drive south of Queenstown. You will need your own rental car to meet guide there, as they do not offer daily pickups from Queenstown.

Is food included in the trip?

Yes! A wholesome, hearty lunch and snacks are included in all of our full-day trips to keep your energy up on the river.

Next step

Send your inquiry

Check availability — two minutes, non-binding

We answer within 24 h; the guide's offer follows.

When do you want to fish?

Flexible dates let us pick the days with the best water.

How many days of fishing?
Days1
Who is coming?
Anglers2
Non-anglers (optional)0

More than 2 anglers — we add a second guide.

Nothing is sent yet — two short steps follow: your fishing, then where to send the offer.

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