Aparima River

The Aparima is the quiet one among Southland's big brown trout rivers. It runs about 100 km from the Takitimu Mountains past Otautau and Thornbury to the Jacobs River Estuary at Riverton, a medium-sized, easy-flowing river that is mostly braided through farmland. It holds a good stock of brown trout of 1 to 2 kg, with the occasional fish to 4.5 kg, and it usually sees less pressure than the Mataura. Fish & Game's 2026–27 guide names the upper Aparima among Southland's renowned rivers, and says the mid and lower reaches of the region's big rivers are often overlooked, with easy access and fish that are easier to catch.

The river changes character as it goes. The upper river below Dunrobin runs faster over big cobbles and rocks, with a more stable bed, and suits sight fishing in clear water. The long middle river is braided and open to the wind, and it fishes best in a south or west breeze. There trout feed at the edges of fast water, at the tails of riffles and under willows and overhanging banks. Midday is best for the fly and mornings for the spinner. Below Thornbury the river turns tidal at Riverton, where sea-run browns of 2 to 3 kg feed on whitebait and small fish in spring. Fish the tidal water from half tide to low, when the fish are held in the channels, and use a spinner such as a Veltic or a Toby.

The river above the Thornbury Bridge is open 1 October to 30 April, and below the bridge it is open all year. Fly, spinner and bait are allowed, and the limit is 2 trout a day. Most of the river runs through private farmland. Roads and bridges reach the middle and lower river, but the upper river is reached across farmland on Dunrobin Valley Road, so ask the land occupier first. No live river gauge is confirmed for the Aparima yet, so judge the water by eye after rain.