I agree with Rawthumb regarding Heli fishing.
Before I decided to move here and open a lodge - I fished the region - 3 weeks a year for 7 years - and every trip was without a chopper.
I've had some fantastic fishing days fishing rivers that run right next to public roads as well as more remote streams that meant a 1 >2 hour walk in/out.
There have been days of huge hatches -catching 15 all on the dry & one special day when I landed a 12.5 lb & a 11.75lb brown...........
One of the great things about the fishery in New zealand is the lack of "private waters".
Basically 98% of tghe rivers are available for public use. Obviously quite alot of them are in wilderness regions that require alot of walking.
The sheer size of the fishery here (There are approx 30 streams you can fish - without a chopper within a 1 hour drive of the lodge) means that you are pretty much spolit for choice.
(Early this week, one of our guests caught an 8.5lb brownie on the river VERY close to the lodge)
It also means that if it's raining at the lodge - you can still generally wind clear water near by.
Have fun
Felix
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Owen River Lodge
Fly Fishing at its very best
Owen Valley East Road, Murchison
South Island, New Zealand
Tel:+ 64 3 523 9075
[url=http://www.OwenRiverLodge.co.nz:e7b77]www.OwenRiverLodge.co.nz[/url:e7b77]
[This message has been edited by OwenRiverLodge (edited 07 February 2005).]