November 1999

Comments by Trevor Burt from Australia, who stayed at The Homestead and caught this 5.5 lbs Brown Trout in the Rough River on a size 12 hare and Copper Nymph.
After several visits to the Rough river over the last few years I rate it as one of the best fly fishing rivers in New Zealand. It's a big river that doesn't give up its fish easily, but the trout are in superb condition. They rise freely to well-presented dry flies in the spring and summer months, and if I was allowed only one fly in my box, it would surely be the Royal Wulff.

Access is relatively easy with some great fishing close to The Homestead, and the upper reaches -- best accessed by helicopter -- are true wilderness fishing. If the Rough fails you, there are plenty of other rivers and streams close by that hold good stocks of trout. The Homestead is a relaxed place to use as a base, and Bill and Jan are great hosts."

Trevor Burt