Fiordland & Southland Weather
Prepare for all weather – any season
Although there are general weather patterns and expectations for the four climatic seasons, its essential that visitors to our region appreciate the dynamic nature of the southern South Island’s fickle weather.
Let’s get the most important bits out of the way…
Firstly, we get A LOT of rain in our region. Some parts of western Fiordland receive 7 metres (~23’) of rain annually and the drier eastern parts of our region receive around 1.5 metres (~5’) of rainfall each year.
Secondly, we have numerous stream, rivers and lakes that support world class trout fisheries because we get A LOT of rain and it falls throughout the year.
Spring
September to November
Generally springtime sees consistent rainfall, a period of snowmelt that effects different rivers at different times and more wind than the rest of the season. Temperatures range between the mid teens during the day (15°C / 59F° ) to single digits at night or during cold snaps (5°C/41°F). On the flip side it’s usually the best time to chase trophy fish in small streams that are otherwise barren or hard to fish in the summer. It’s also a quieter time of year in terms of angler pressure and tourist numbers. The fish have been well rested over the winter months and they are keen to feed. We like this time of year!
Summer
December to February
The summer months of December, January and February are reputed to be the “better months” in terms of weather but we have experienced snow in December and the two largest flood events in recent memory have occurred in February….so again, mother nature is a tough one to predict in our part of Aotearoa. We do get longer days during this period, with up to 15hrs of sunlight during the middle of summer. During the summer months, temperatures are often in the 20°C/68°F range and very occasionally get close to the 30°C/86°F mark, so we opt to wet wade rather than don waders a lot of the time.
Autumn
March to May
Autumn (fall) generally sees calmer weather settle across the region during the months of March and April. May can be a transition period into the wet and cold months of winter. March is still generally quite warm, with daytime temps in the mid to high teens and occasional low 20s (°C) common but the nights start to get cooler. Early morning frosts start in mid-late March and kick start our daily mayfly hatches into gear. April and May see average daytime temps drop down to the low teens or single digits (°C). Although we have some wonderful sunny conditions in late Autumn, the days grow shorter and the nights get colder. It’s also the time of the roar as the red deer stags compete for hinds around the mountains…a special time for angler and hunter alike.
Winter
June to August
The winter months are cold and wet with between 8-9 hours of daylight in June and July but we can experience some surprisingly calm and clear spells, especially in August. We can get some gorgeous days on the water this time of year to fish the coastal rivers or lakes that remain open to trout fishing but generally it’s not a time for the fair weather fisherman and you have to pick your days to venture out with a fly rod. The winter months are generally a time to focus on hunting and restocking fly boxes, rather than fishing until the annual whitebait migration arrives.
Plan your trip with the weather in mind
Many tourist operators or guide services might tell you a different story about the weather in our region, or they may not mention it at all. We’d rather be candid and have you prepared for the variable weather that’s an intrinsic part of any trip to this part of the world. In general, a week long trip during the peak fishing season (November – April) can expect to experience a mix of some sunny days, some cloudy days, some rain and some wind. You might be fortunate enough to have perfect weather every day you are fishing with us or it might be cold and wet. It’s out of everyone’s control. Our job is to provide the best guidance on where and how to fish based on the conditions mother nature dishes out and there’s always a place to wet a line, providing you’re willing to brave the weather, change plans and have a go. Some days we might have to drive a long way to find fishable water, some days we might have to blind fish discoloured water with nymphs and streamers, some days we might have to fish lakes but more often than not, we can keep the skunk at bay each day, providing we don’t give up.
We all dream of beautiful sunny days without a breath of wind and we certainly get plenty of days like this but they are not the norm and it can be a catch-22. Prolonged dry spells might present lovely clear streams that are easy to wade and look picturesque but they don’t necessary result in productive fishing. Low flows and bright conditions typically precipitate in spooky trout that are difficult to catch. In severe low flows and hot weather, many fish will not even come out of hiding to feed during the day. Some of the best fishing we experience during the season occurs on the few days following a high water event. Higher oxygenated flows get the trout food moving and the fish feed more confidently as a result, so although that dark sky and blown out river can be a downer on the day, there’s a silver lining for those around to fish the spoils as the rivers recede and clear…
