Access map by Google

Once one of the great fishing rivers, the Selwyn is now a shadow of its former self. Unregulated water extraction and agricultural run-off have destroyed much of the Selwyn so that it now is best fished either early in the season or late when there has been some rain.

Mostly the river flows over a shingle bed and is a mixture of long riffles and deeper pools. The water can get low and warm in the summer.

Description

In the upper reaches the Selwyn mostly flows through a gorge and is quite small requiring a lot of walking to find fish. It is best fished early or late in the season when there is some water running and fish are still in the section for spawning.

Fish numbers and size

Fish numbers are low and the majority of the fish are quite small.

Access

There is access via the Glentunnel - Whitecliff road at the Selwyn Gorge.

Description

Between the Upper Selwyn Huts to Glentunnel the river becomes shingly and is willow lined. There has been a huge problem with farmers using the river for irrigation so that in periods of hot dry weather over the summer it can become very low and warm. During these times it is best to concentrate on fishing any of the deeper water especially around areas where there is cover such as willow trees for the fish.

Fish numbers and size

Low fish numbers and mostly small in size.

Access

Roads run along both sides of the river offering good access. There are also a number of picnic spots such as Chamberlains and Coes fords. These are very popular with swimmers in the summer months and so not so great for fishing.

Description

The lower reaches are no longer the great fishery that it once was. Water extraction coupleed with agriculatural run off has degraded the river so that the water is often brackish and slow flowing. The section where it enters Lake Ellesmere can produce some great fishing for very large sea run fish, particularly early in the season.

Fish numbers and size

Fish numbers are low but at the mouth of the Selwyn where it enters Lake Ellesmere some very large fish are caught as they enter the river chasing whitebait and other small fish.

Access

Take the road to Selwyn Huts.

In the upper and middle reaches light tackle is best. The fish here become quite spooky as the season progresses and water levels drop.

In the lower section, wet lining with a silver lure / wet fly or spinning are by far the best options.

Dry flies: Mayfly patterns such as a blue dunn, adams or twilight beauty (match the hatch with size and colour). Beetles also work well in early summer and mayfly patterns throughout the summer.

Wet flies: Small spider patterns and wee-wets in the upper and middle reaches with larger whitebait and smelt imitation flies such as a doll fly, Parsons Glory or Grey Ghost in the lower reaches.

Spinners: Silver lures such as a silver toby or zed spinner.