Mataura Fly Fishing—World Class Trout Fishing
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The Mataura River has a reputation that precedes it. Anglers from Japan, the US, and Europe put it on their bucket list for one reason: this is where “match the hatch” fishing actually means something.
Mataura fly fishing isn’t about chucking a general attractor pattern and hoping for the best. It’s about reading the water, identifying what’s hatching, and presenting something the trout will actually eat. Gore sits on the banks of the Mataura and wears the title “Brown Trout Capital of the World” without apology. That oversized trout statue at the town entrance? It’s not just for show.
Ready for an unforgettable fishing experience in a world-class location? Whether you’re travelling from another country or just looking for guided trout fishing near you in Southland, book your guided tour today.
What to Expect from Your Mataura River Fly Fishing Trip
Mataura River fishing typically starts with reading conditions—water clarity, weather, and what’s hatching all determine where we fish and how we approach it. I’ll have equipment available for hire @ $60.00 per person per day, these include:
Rods
Reels
Waders
Boots
Mataura River fly fishing rewards patience. You might spend 20 minutes watching a single trout before making your first cast. When you get it right—when that brown rises and takes your fly—you’ll understand why people travel halfway around the world for this.
What Makes Mataura River Fishing So Special?
Most trout rivers have hatches. The Mataura takes it to a new level. Dense, predictable emergences of mayflies that turn these selective fish into feeding machines. During peak season, you’ll see rises everywhere.
The river itself offers a remarkable variety across its 150-odd kilometres:
- Upper Reaches (above Cattle Flat): Classic sight fishing water. Smaller, clearer, more intimate. You’ll spot fish holding in current seams and work them individually.
- Middle Section (Cattle Flat to Gore): Willowed banks, deeper pools, and the river’s famous backwaters. This is where larger specimens often hold.
- Lower Reaches (below Gore): Bigger water, longer pools, and serious numbers of fish. Less technical, but incredibly productive during hatches.
When the main river isn’t playing ball, there’s almost always an alternative within easy reach—and I’ll know exactly where’s best. That’s the advantage of fly fishing the South Island of New Zealand from Gore.
Book Your Mataura River Fishing Experience Today
If the Mataura’s been on your list, it’s worth the trip. Whether you’re an experienced international angler or love fly fishing in Otago, I can help you make the most of your time on the water.
Book your tour with a dry fly fishing guide in NZ with Mataura Valley Trout Safaris and enjoy a Mataura fly fishing experience you’ll never forget.
Frequently Asked Questions
The mayfly hatches that make Mataura River fishing famous run strongest from December through to March. This is when you'll see the classic afternoon rises—fish coming up consistently as insects emerge. October and November also fish well, though water levels are less predictable due to snowmelt.
The Mataura River is brown trout water. That’s what it does best and why it draws anglers from all over the world. Rainbows are found in some nearby rivers, as well as salmon in the regional lakes. But if you’re coming to Southland, you’re coming for wild browns, and this river holds strong populations.
Southland—and the rest of NZ—has unpredictable weather. You can see all four seasons before lunchtime hits. But “bad” weather doesn’t always mean it’s unfishable. In fact, overcast days can improve dry fly fishing by extending hatch windows.
If the Mataura’s blown out or conditions are genuinely unsuitable, we’ll find alternative water—you won’t lose your day or money.
Small flies, generally. Mayfly patterns in sizes 14–18 cover most situations during hatch season—Adams, Comparaduns, and CDC emergers all have their moments. But the best choice depends entirely on what's happening on the day. That's the nature of match-the-hatch fishing. I carry a great selection for Mataura River fly fishing, and we'll adjust based on what the trout are telling us.