The braided rivers of the South Island often feature in Stephan’s works, but as distant characters, set amongst vast valleys or below towering peaks and waterfalls. In his latest photography expedition, Stephan set out to bring these rivers—cherished by fly-fishing enthusiasts—into the spotlight.
One of the great joys of my work is the conversations I have with people who have visited the locations of my photography. I have had countless conversations with people whose eyes light up when they recognise favourite locations and secret spots. Lately, I have had a few talks with keen anglers who passionately share the experiences they have had fishing the rivers in my photography. It dawned on me that these rivers had a story of their own to tell.
Equipped with a South Island fishing guide and my camera gear, I set off on a journey to explore some of the most famous fly-fishing rivers around the lower part of the South Island. Anyone who knows anything about fly fishing will appreciate that many of these rivers are considered among some of the best in the world.
My first destination was the Mataura River. The Mataura is located to the south of Queenstown and stretches 240 kilometres (150 miles) from the Eyre Mountains all the way to the ocean just east of Invercargill. The river is a renowned fly-fishing location, revered for its dense population of wild brown trout. The trout in the Mataura are known to be particularly cunning, which adds to the challenge for skilled anglers.
I was drawn to a section of the river where the water appears to squeeze its way through the Mataura Range and the Garvie Mountains. My trusty fishing book recommended the Cattle Flat section of the river as offering particularly good fishing and easy access. I explored this southern section of the river and the northern section near Nokomai Road.
iPhone picture of Cattle Flat at the Mataura River.
However, the midday light wasn’t ideal for photography. As picturesque as this famous river is, I was after a more dramatic setting. And there is nothing more dramatic than the mountains of the Southern Alps. I set about finding a new river with a different backdrop.
I knew the Haast River would give me the “drama” I was after. This river, flowing from the Haast Pass to the Tasman Sea, is part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site, recognised by UNESCO for its outstanding natural value.
I set off from Queenstown at 5am to ensure I would be there in time to catch the sunrise at the Haast River. Leaving in the dark, my drive was a journey under a sky full of stars – an indication that it would be a clear day, hopefully not too clear though. As I approached the Haast River Viewpoint, I saw fog building in the Landsborough Valley and my concerns subsided, conditions were looking good. The sun peeked over the horizon at 7:59 am, and I had arrived just in time. Under ideal conditions, I captured a few images of the Haast River in the first light of the day.
Early Autumn drama at the Haast River with the Bealey Range in the background
With plenty of daylight left, I decided to make a few stops on my return to Queenstown. I found a wonderful scene at Thunder Creek Falls. Usually, I would be drawn to this location because of the falls, but today was all about the rivers.
The two locations at Haast Pass with nobody else around except the usual sandflies. The second setup looks a bit precarious.
With no one else around, I enjoyed the quiet solitude, only disturbed by the persistent hum of sandflies, those faithful companions of any South Island adventurer.
Haast River with a glimpse of the Thunder Creek Falls.
Next up was a location close to home. The Greenstone River at the top of Lake Wakatipu is a popular location for many outdoor enthusiasts. However, its abundant brown and rainbow trout populations make it a prime fly-fishing destination. The clear waters of the Greenstone are ideal for spotting trout, which adds to the reputation of the location. Ironically, after spending hours exploring the Greenstone Track for the perfect setup, I found the ideal location just five minutes from the car park.
The Greenstone River united with the Caples River, with Minor and Major Peak in the background.
Not far from the Greenstone is the mighty Rees River, another spectacular braided river which makes its way through the Rees Valley to Lake Wakatipu. The Rees is home to brown trout and is often favoured by fly fishers thanks to its many accessible wading areas. I think many international visitors would find the solitude and natural beauty of the Rees River quite remarkable.
Driving along the Invincible Creek track near the Rees, I covered some good distance before the road ended and my hike began. Carrying on by foot, I came across a spectacular spot that really captured the magic of fly fishing and showed me why my gallery friends are so passionate about it.
The Rees River is known for its brown trout.
The lovely sight of the river, the rocky riverbed, and the surrounding mountains were almost enough for me to cast a line out myself. Almost!
If some of these locations have brought back memories of your own fishing trips around the South Island, make sure you come into the gallery for a visit. You may just spot some of your favourite fishing spots.
