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ThomasW 
Group: Members
Posts: 548
Joined: Oct. 2006
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Posted on: Oct. 11 2007,18:26 |
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I know this is not entirely fly fishing related, but I suspect a few of you would have experience in that area.
I was looking at topographic maps of the westcoast, mainly looking for a interesting location for a saltwater fishing holiday. During the 'tourist season' I normally leave the trout to be harassed by others and fish remote beaches.
I found myself looking at the area south of "Haast"... on the map it looks like a remote mash of rivers, swamps and small streams. I highly suspect that the area would offer good saltwater and the Okuru sounds like a good trout river.
My main question is, what are the roads like south of haast. I noticed on my topographical map that there are roads which lead all the way south to "Big Bay"... but I know just because a road is on a map does not mean that it is in 'drivable condition' or open to the public. I highly expect that a few of the 'roads' are infact tramping tracks.
So If I decide to go down there, how far south can I realistically expect to drive in a typical 4wd?
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| Post Number: 2
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Johnno
Group: Members
Posts: 3387
Joined: Jul. 2005
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Posted on: Oct. 11 2007,18:55 |
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You can get to the Cascade in a 4WD down the road past Lake Ellery. Pretty rugged country. Careful where you camp as the sandflies will pick you up and carry you away, or the locals are likely to put a hole in your tent at 0300 hrs when they are out spotlighting for deer....
The coastline is rugged, there are big seas out there and the calm flat days are quite rare. If you wanted to give it a crack, Blue Cod, Trumpter, Moki etc. Keep an eye on the weather........ Jacksons Bay has a few good spots as does a couple of spots a bit south of there, but you would need a decent boat to get there. And back.
A few fish here and there in most of the fresh waters but hard work. A few of the waters, (or parts thereof) offer some pretty good fishing at times . But you can find them for your self. I ain't telling you! 
Lake Ellery is nice and scenic but unless you got a boat and are competant to go up the river into the lake in the boat (Jet Boat or Dinghy will get you there ) I wouldn't bother. There is a couple of pretty gnarly bits in the river above the road bridge and I wouldn't attempt it unless you have company, life jackets and know what you doing. You could lose your prop or end up under some dead fall with undesirable results.... The trout in the Lake are small, maybe 1 1/2 - 2 lbs average max. There is a foot track but it only goes as far as the lake and there is little room to cast where the track stops; the shore line is rocky, deep and gnarly at that end and frankly not worth the trip on foot with the specific reason to fish.
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"I never understood the appeal of flyfishing Jim. It's too much like masturbation for me, without the payoff".
( Gabriel Shear - Swordfish )
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| Post Number: 3
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ThomasW
Group: Members
Posts: 548
Joined: Oct. 2006
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Posted on: Oct. 11 2007,23:13 |
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Thanks for the advice. I would mainly be fishing from the shore. I might take my Kayak with me if I decide to spend more then a few days down there.
Is there any drinking establishments in that area?, there seems to be a small town in Jackson Bay.
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| Post Number: 4
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Johnno
Group: Members
Posts: 3387
Joined: Jul. 2005
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Posted on: Oct. 12 2007,13:31 |
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The closest will be at Haast.
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"I never understood the appeal of flyfishing Jim. It's too much like masturbation for me, without the payoff".
( Gabriel Shear - Swordfish )
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| Post Number: 5
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ThomasW
Group: Members
Posts: 548
Joined: Oct. 2006
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Posted on: Feb. 06 2012,21:16 |
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Finally made it to Haast. The Saltwater fishing was okay, could of kept my limit of cod/tara. Heaps of Kahawai...
Got to see the Cascade, but there is a locked gate so could not drive to it  Would love to kayak its lower reaches one day.
Freshwater, fished the Jackson which is a very scenic river. Did see one trout which chased my Cicada fly downstream.. Spent three hours fishing it and saw more anglers then fish. Think it could have potential, but too many anglers.
Took my Kayak up into Lake Ellery, easy paddle. One small rapid which required a simple portage. Lake itself was very stained with tannins. Saw no fish in the lake, but a few in the small entry stream. Floated down it and fished but got no takers. Wanted to fish the inlet streams but was buggered because I spent several hours trolling for tuna the day before.
Did catch a sea run on the Surfcaster in Bruce Bay on the way home. Think I much prefer the water around Nelson/Buller/Grey then what South Westland offers for the most part. Still hope to fish Lake Moraki one day and explore the estuaries more.
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