Southland

Hello fellow anglers!

Fly fishing has been a passion ever since my father starting taking me on trips when I was a young boy over 40 years ago. As an environmentally aware farmer and excellent fisherman, he passed onto me a love of the land, particularly the  largely untouched  rivers, lakes  and valleys of Southland, Fiordland and Otago, and a desire to protect, respect  and share this spectacular scenery. He also taught me well how to use a split cane rod, the ability to spot and stalk  fish, and what flies and tactics to use to catch them.

Over many years of walking the waterways of the lower South Island, I’ve built up a wide range of skills and knowledge of  fishing all types of water in all kinds of conditions while enjoying the great outdoors away from it all. Through fishing I’ve met many fine people, many of whom have become firm friends. When I’m not fishing, you’ll find me on my sheep and cattle farm – which I run with the help of my wife and three daughters – near the city of Invercargill in Southland.

I’m also a keen surfer and enjoy tennis and golf. So come and join me and fish some of the best rivers and lakes in the world where you’ll see many more trout than you will people among scenery that will take you breath away.

~Looking forward to meeting you
Graeme Watson

Testimonials

Graeme Watson is the ultimate fishing guide,excellent company,a thoughtful gentleman and a real professional.

~Jim & Susan Henry
New York, USA

I recently returned from a three week trip to New Zealand.I was fortunate to fish several locations in the South Island during my trip.Graeme Watson was my guide while I stayed at Nokomai Station. The few days we fished the Mataura were great.I rarely go to the same place twice,but would fish again with Graeme.”

~Mike Cherry
USA

My son and I, together with two of our friends, fished with Southland Fly Fishing last December, using the Royal Mail Hotel in Lumsden as our headquarters. Our guides, Alan Wilson, Graeme Watson and Daryl Paskell stayed at the nearby motel and joined us after breakfast each morning ready to go.

The fishing in Southland is as good as any New Zealand has to offer. The Mataura, in spite of its fame, remains a much underrated stream. The other major river system is that of the Oreti but there are myriads of smaller streams in the area, all fishing well at the right time. Alan, Graeme and Daryl know these waters backwards. They made the most  of some difficult conditions, finding some great fishing in interesting and challenging places. Typically, the fish were in the three to five pound bracket, browns and rainbows, with the biggest being my son’s eight-pounder. (Let’s not get confused with kilos or inches.)

The Southland team has picked out some spots for our next trip and we will join them again next December. They are first rate guides, great company and highly recommended.

~John Lance
Sydney, Australia

 

Having fished in many parts of the world, in my opinion Graeme is one of the most knowledgeable, patient and helpful guides I have fished with

~Martin Ward
 UK