Brown trout on a #16 Adams
Gore Town Water, February 2026. Released after a quick photo in the cradle.
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The Mataura is one of the world's great trout streams.
Sixty kilometres of accessible, wadeable river between Mandeville and Mataura township. Insect hatches from October through April keep resident brown trout feeding on the surface — perfect for sight-fishing with dry flies. We have guided this water since 2011 and know every riffle, run and pool.
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We carry everything. You just turn up.
Every trip includes a 5-weight rod and reel, a box of locally tied flies (mayfly and caddis patterns that match the Mataura's hatches), polarised glasses, wading boots and a wading staff. We also carry a landing net, a catch-and-release cradle, stream thermometer, insect repellent and a thermos of coffee.
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Beginners start with a casting clinic on the grass.
No experience needed. We spend the first 45 minutes on the Dolamore Park lawn learning the overhead cast, the roll cast and the mend. By the time we step into the river you will be laying line out to 10 metres — enough to reach most of the fish we target.
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Catch-and-release, barbless hooks, always.
The Mataura is a wild fishery — there is no stocking. We use barbless hooks, keep fish in the water for photos, and release every trout unharmed. Our guides hold current Fish & Game licences and carry a day licence for visiting anglers ($25, included in the trip price).
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After the river, there is pie.
Every trip ends at the Gore RSA or Howl at the Moon, where the venison pie is as much a part of the Mataura experience as the trout. Lunch is on us for full-day bookings. Half-day anglers get a riverside thermos and flapjacks baked by our guide's mum, Ngaire.
Trip options
Choose your water.
Showing 6 of 6 trips
- $3204 hours
Mandeville Meadows — Half day
- $2804 hours
Beginner Casting Clinic — Half day
- $5208 hours
Gore Town Water — Full day
- $5208 hours
Waikaka Confluence — Full day
- $5808 hours
Upper Mataura Gorge — Full day
- $1802 hours
Evening Rise Session
EasyModerateChallenging
River conditions
Today on the Mataura.
Current conditions
- River level
- 0.42m at Gore Bridge (normal range 0.3–0.6m)
- Clarity
- Clear — 2m+ visibility
- Water temp
- 14°C (ideal for surface feeding)
- Hatch
- Deleatidium mayfly from 2pm; caddis after dark
- Wind
- Light SW, 8 km/h — good casting conditions
- Verdict
- Excellent — book the afternoon
Gallery
On the river.
Casting clinic on the lawn
Dolamore Park, January 2026. Three beginners learning the roll cast before hitting the water.
The Waikaka confluence pool
Where two rivers meet. Deeper water, bigger residents. This pool has produced fish over 5lb.
Deleatidium mayfly hatch
The afternoon emergence that makes the Mataura famous. Hatches run October through April.
Evening rise at sunset
December dusk on the Gore Town Water. The best two hours of the season.
What to bring
We carry the tackle. You bring the layers.
Provided by us
- 5-weight fly rod and reel
- Locally tied fly selection
- Polarised sunglasses
- Wading boots (sizes 6–13)
- Wading staff
- Landing net and release cradle
- Fish & Game day licence
- Thermos coffee and flapjacks (half day) or pub lunch (full day)
You should bring
- Warm layers — merino base, fleece mid, wind shell
- Rain jacket (Southland weather changes fast)
- Sunscreen and a hat
- Your own prescription polarised glasses if you have them
- Camera or phone in a waterproof case
- Sense of humour (the fish don't always cooperate)
Testimonials
What anglers say.
"I've fished rivers in Montana, Tasmania and Patagonia. The Mataura in February, with a good guide, is as good as any of them. The afternoon hatch was extraordinary."
"I had never held a fly rod before. By lunchtime I was casting into the willows on purpose (sort of). By 3pm I'd landed my first trout on a dry fly. Unforgettable."
"The guides know every rock in this river. They spotted fish I would have walked right past. Four browns over 2lb on a half-day session — outstanding."
"Brought my dad for his 70th birthday. He hasn't stopped talking about the 3-pounder he landed at the gorge. The pub lunch afterwards was the perfect finish."
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