If you’re serious about fly fishing, there’s one destination on New Zealand’s South Island that belongs on every angler’s bucket list: Uppacreek. Based in the Nelson–Motueka region, Uppacreek is the guiding operation of Aaron Ford — a full-time guide since 2005 with over two decades of experience on some of the world’s most pristine waterways.
World-class fly fishing in the Nelson Region
The Nelson region is renowned among fly fishermen for its exceptional diversity of water. Crystal-clear rivers tumble through native bush, gin-clear pools hold wild brown and rainbow trout, and the fishing pressure remains refreshingly low compared to more famous destinations. Uppacreek’s home waters include the Motueka River — widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s premier brown trout rivers — along with the Buller, Wangapeka, Matakitaki, and Wairoa rivers.
These aren’t stocked, managed fisheries. Every fish is wild, every take is earned, and every stretch of river feels untouched. It’s exactly the kind of fishing that veteran anglers travel halfway around the world to experience.
The Motueka River: New Zealand’s definitive trout experience
The Motueka River is Uppacreek’s showpiece destination — and for good reason. Long riffles give way to deep pools, boisterous rapids transition into glassy glides, and the river holds a healthy population of both resident and sea-run brown trout, with some specimens pushing trophy size. Sight-fishing to freely rising fish in water you can see perfectly is what brings anglers back season after season.
The Nelson region also encompasses the breathtaking Nelson Lakes — two serene alpine lakes, Rotoiti and Rotoroa, offering both boat and shore-based fly fishing with a high concentration of trout. For those seeking real solitude, Uppacreek also runs trips into the backcountry streams of the region: hidden gems that hold wild, elusive trout in surroundings few anglers ever see.
Marlborough Region: technical fishing at its finest
Uppacreek extends its reach into the Marlborough region as well, covering rivers including the Wairau, Rai, Clarence, Waihopai, and Pelorus. The Wairau’s braided channels and sight-fishing opportunities make it a technical angler’s dream, while the Clarence River offers remote wilderness fishing accessible only to those who know its secrets.
Beyond trout: Golden Bay kingfish
Uppacreek doesn’t stop at freshwater. One of the most exciting offerings in their portfolio is fly fishing for kingfish in Golden Bay — a coastal paradise tucked between Kahurangi National Park and the Tasman Sea. Sight-casting to powerful kingfish in the shallow flats of Puponga, Farewell Spit, and the Awaroa Inlet is a heart-pounding experience that tests every skill an angler has developed. These fish run big — some well over 40 kilograms — and they fight hard. It’s a saltwater fly fishing experience unlike almost anything else in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Karamea River: wild West Coast adventure
For the truly adventurous, Uppacreek also guides on the Karamea River on the remote West Coast — a river with over 100 fish per kilometre and a reputation as one of New Zealand’s most productive and challenging wilderness fisheries. The season runs October to April, with peak conditions in November and December.
Your guide: Aaron Ford
What makes Uppacreek special isn’t just the water — it’s the man who knows it. Aaron Ford’s passion for fly fishing was ignited in 2000 after a chance encounter at a remote hut in the Karamea wilderness, where an American guide shared a lesson, cheese sandwiches, and a Cuban cigar. That meeting changed the course of his life.
Since 2005, Aaron has guided full-time across New Zealand’s most productive rivers, and has also managed fishing lodges in Alaska, Mexico, and Russia. He is a proud member of the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association (NZPFGA) and leads a team with a combined 50+ years of guiding experience. His approach is patient, tailored, and deeply respectful of the water — whether you’re casting a fly for the first time or chasing a trophy brown.
Conservation at the core
Uppacreek operates with a deep commitment to catch-and-release fishing and sustainable angling practices. The wild fisheries of the Nelson and Marlborough regions are precious — and keeping them that way for future generations is non-negotiable. When you fish with Uppacreek, you’re not just having the trip of a lifetime; you’re supporting the conservation of some of the world’s finest wild trout habitat.
Plan your New Zealand adventure
Uppacreek offers day trips and multi-day expeditions, with all top-of-the-line fly fishing gear provided — rods, reels, lines, flies, and waders. The trout season typically runs October through April, with peak conditions in November and December. To enquire or book, visit uppacreek.co.nz.
New Zealand’s South Island is one of the great fly fishing destinations on earth. Uppacreek is the best way to experience it.
