Lake Brunner Where The Trout Die Of Old Age

Fishing for trout on New Zealands West Coast of the South Island is a treat not to be missed.

Brent Beadle is based at Moana on the shores of beautiful Lake Brunner where the trout die of old age.

Brent is the longest serving local guide, 22 years in the area and he is a member of the N.Z. Professional Fishing Guides Assn.(NZPFGA). Both Brents boats, the 'Madeline Ruth' and 'Sneakuponum' are surveyed to government requirements and Brent has Department of Conservation concessions to fish in the area.
It is a requirement of the NZPGA that your guide meets these lawful requirements.

There are five lakes and upwards of 40 rivers or streams within an hours drive of Moana that hold trout, the great thing about Lake Brunner is that it is open 365 days of the year and it can be fished in any weather.

The lake holds excellent stocks of wild brown averaging 4 pounds and the area is virtually uncrowded for most of the season, in fact most of the time you won't see another fisherman.

The fish are all wild and the methods vary from dry fly, nymph, streamers, spinning or trolling, we have it all at Lake Brunner. Most of the fish around the lake are sighted before being caught and this really makes for an interesting day out, there is no bigger thrill than spotting, casting and hooking up on a cunning Brunner brown.
The lake has 3 rivers that flow into it and we can walk up these stalking the trout in gin clear water, a challenge not to be missed. The famous Arnold River drains the lake and we offer a great drift down there in 'Sneakuponum'. Many trout habitat this part of the river, it carries approx 250 trout per kilometre.
This top section of the river can only be fished properly by boat, the bushline grows right down to the waters edge. The Arnold fishes well in the winter also and it is a great place to try your hand at sight casting.

We have two boats on the Lake one for fly fishing and the other for the 'not so serious troller'. Sneaking around the margins in Sneakuponum is a great way to fish a West Coast Lake.
We also have the lake record for 28 fish landed for one day!

The Grey River Valley offers some fantastic fishing opportunities with several well known rivers flowing into the Grey River itself, it is a fishermans paradise. Many of the valley's crystal clear rivers or streams hold trout up to 8lbs with the odd double figure fish taken annually. It is not unusual to be taken out to your backing in one quick burst by an angry brown heading upstream through a rapid trying to escape from an angler hanging grimly onto his fly rod almost in disbelief.
These rivers are a day trip from Brunner and require a reasonable level of fitness and good wading boots. Spring Creeks are another feature of the area and many anglers have been spellbound by the crystal clear water that flows through the pastures hold good stocks of fish surrounded by fantastic scenes of native bush or sometimes snow capped peaks.

Brent can also offer helifishing trips, a great way to fish the head waters of the regions rivers and overnight stays in wilderness river valleys with excellent accommodation available if required.

Brent also guides spin fisherman on rivers and lakes and clients are catching good numbers all year round. On some occasions landing upwards of 40 fish for a day. Kahawhai fishing in the Grey River is a very exciting sport on both light spinning gear and fly rods.

We also run a scenic tour operation on the lake, which takes in all of Lake Brunner and is a great trip for your wife and family to take while you are out after "the big one."

For further information, please e-mail or phone me, and I will be happy to help you with your enquiry.

Brent Beadle is a member of the New Zealand Professional Guides Assn. (NZPFGA) and has been guiding around the Lake Brunner area for 22 years. All his boats have a current survey and Brent has Department of Conservation (DOC) permits to fish the area.