Fly-fishing around Nelson Itinerary

Day 1: Spend the day in Nelson

Nelson, a seaside city with over 300 working artists, a multitude of galleries, excellent eateries, boutique craft breweries, and alluring golden-sand beaches, is home to an artistic community of over 300 working artists and a plethora of galleries. Take a short stroll from central Nelson to the Centre of New Zealand to visit the region's vineyards along the Tasman's Great Taste Cycle Trail. Beyond the city, there is a large variety of landscapes and experiences to uncover, making it a perfect place to explore by boat, foot, or kayak. Spend some time in Nelson before continuing on to Motueka to begin your fly-fishing vacation.

Day 2: Nelson to Motueka

Today you'll travel along the coast to Motueka, a pleasant town. Many people use this town as a base for exploring Abel Tasman National Park; but, with a variety of specialised lodges available, it's also a terrific town for anglers. The picturesque Motueka River is one of New Zealand's top brown trout rivers, boasting a large population of resident and sea-run trout, some of which are trophy-sized. This is a gorgeous and tough river to fish, with a variety of water types including long riffles, long glides, loud rapids, and deep pools.

Day 3: Take a guided fishing tour

Several operators can provide you with an amazing guided experience today. Uppacreek Guiding specializes in brown trout sight fishing in Motueka. Further out, Latitude Guiding and Stonefly Lodge provide one-day to multi-day tours around the region. If you're going it alone, you can learn more about the Motueka River on the Fish and Game website. Non-fishers can enjoy renting a kayak and exploring Abel Tasman National Park, or taking a scenic tour of Golden Bay.

Day 4 - 5: Motueka to St Arnaud

Travel to St Arnaud, where you will spend the next two days. The spectacular Nelson Lakes National Park, noted for its alpine landscape and blend of rocky peaks, woodland, and peaceful glacial lakes, may be explored from here.

Furthermore, there are numerous clean streams that are ideal for trout fishing. Wairau River and Buller River are two of the most popular fishing rivers in the area, with various fishing settings and healthy trout populations. Several operators in the area provide guided experiences if you choose.

Day 6: St Arnaud to Nelson

On the final day of this itinerary, return to Nelson and take some time to unwind and enjoy the laid-back, sunny atmosphere before embarking on your next trip.