Smite River

Running through Canterbury, New Zealand, Smite River is the kind of river that fishes well at the right water level. Drop a lure or fly into the bubble line at the head of a pool and let the current swing it past holding fish. Long, slow glides at Smite River hold the bigger fish; the broken water above and below holds the smaller, more aggressive ones. Stay quiet on the bank — river fish are easily spooked.

Location

-43.4025, 171.2194 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Chinook salmon

Fishing Techniques

• For Chinook salmon

  Vary your retrieve speed and depth until you find what the fish are responding to, as their preferences can change daily.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Smite River.

Plan Your Trip

Before fishing Smite River, make sure your licence covers Canterbury, New Zealand and that any species-specific seasons are open. Local regulations change year to year, so check the current rules rather than going from memory.

Nearby Spots in Canterbury

See all fishing spots in Canterbury →

Other Fishing Regions in New Zealand