Stu's Fly Shop
Stu's Fly Shop
5
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About
Stu's World Famous Fishing Shop is the only physical fly shop in New Zealand. Do you want to go fishing with Stu? He is Australasia's first Certified FFF Master Fly Casting Instructor and owner of the NZ Fly Fishing School. Visit one of 30 lakes and rivers, all within an hour's drive of the shop. We can arrange: Backcountry Fly Fishing Road Trips, where you stay in an historic cottage or camp out. Helicopter Guiding and water taxis for an unforgettable experience One or multiple-day NZ Fly Fishing Schools: learn the basics about equipment, trout and their feeding habits, trout entomology (food), trout flies, tackle, equipment, leaders and their construction, basic knots and casting. Been fly-fishing for years, but getting too many tangles? Or just want to get better? Learn how to double haul for distance, reach cast and wiggle cast. Get ahead of the game with some professional advice from Stu! We have a range of multi-day guiding packages, road trips and camping out options, which can depart from Queenstown.
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5.0
147 reviews
Excellent
137
Very good
3
Average
1
Poor
2
Terrible
4
aliebeau
Queenstown, New Zealand70 contributions
Jun 2017
If its fishing you love, then Stus fishing shop and guiding is for you. Northern Southland has some great fishing spots and he will tell you exactly where to go, Athol is tiny but this place has a big heart.
Written 30 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you , From spring till the end of fall , Athol in Northern Southland does rock.
Written 10 July 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Peter G
Luang Prabang, Laos17 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
Fly fishing in New Zealand is a whole lot tougher than it is at home. To succeed, you need to learn from a good guide. Stu is the best. He puts you on fish and teaches the skills required to bring them to hand. He does so with skill, patience and humor. This was unquestionably the high point of my time in NZ.
Written 8 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Peter for your honest feedback. It was a pleasure being on the water with you.
All the best with your guiding back home.
Cheers
Stu
Written 20 March 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Trouter1
Melbourne, Australia259 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
Four 60 year old fly fishermen decided to swap from their annual Tasmanian fishing week, to Southland in New Zealand.
We engaged Stu for two days to show us how to catch the local monsters.
Well that is exactly what he did.
We had a ball. We tightened up our casting, learnt the effects of drift on flies, presentation and so much more.
Caught good fish on willow grubs, singly the smallest fly I have ever used. Stus personality endears him to all his clients.
We are planning a return trip next year, so Stu, put aside some time!
We engaged Stu for two days to show us how to catch the local monsters.
Well that is exactly what he did.
We had a ball. We tightened up our casting, learnt the effects of drift on flies, presentation and so much more.
Caught good fish on willow grubs, singly the smallest fly I have ever used. Stus personality endears him to all his clients.
We are planning a return trip next year, so Stu, put aside some time!
Written 26 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey guys i thought you were in your late twenties, and not 60 + !!
It was great to bring you guys up to speed with your casting and skills to fool plenty NZ trout, especially with the small Banana willow grub fly.
It will be a pleasure to guide you all again when you return ,hopefully next year.
Have fun out there guys.
Cheers
Stu
Written 20 March 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jejedaz
Tarbes, France1 contribution
Feb 2017
A paradise and a must for fly fisherman !!!
This shop it's just beautiful and fantastic !!!
Thanks Stu for your potatoes sandwich Scottish and thank's Thomas for your advices and for the line that you sold me !!!
See you later
Jeremy and Laurianne
This shop it's just beautiful and fantastic !!!
Thanks Stu for your potatoes sandwich Scottish and thank's Thomas for your advices and for the line that you sold me !!!
See you later
Jeremy and Laurianne
Written 14 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hey,
Thank you for your kind words!
Hope to see you again soon and enjoy your trip
Cheers
Thomas
Written 20 February 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alex_M0H
Lyon, France2 contributions
Dec 2016 • Solo
I found in that rocking shop a lot of equipment and deadly flies while little monster dog Trigger was welcoming me.
Thomas gave me good advice to fish the Mataura and other rivers.
I then booked Stu for a NZ Fly Fishing School session. And it was an awesome and priceless experience ! Great knowledge, philosophy and tips. Thanks again Stu !
My casting was really really better the next day applying what I've learnt. A real pleasure to cast the good way and catch more fish.
If you're in Queenstown and around you need to go there. It will be a valuable adventure.
I hope to go there again !
Thomas gave me good advice to fish the Mataura and other rivers.
I then booked Stu for a NZ Fly Fishing School session. And it was an awesome and priceless experience ! Great knowledge, philosophy and tips. Thanks again Stu !
My casting was really really better the next day applying what I've learnt. A real pleasure to cast the good way and catch more fish.
If you're in Queenstown and around you need to go there. It will be a valuable adventure.
I hope to go there again !
Written 19 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey Alex,
Thank you for your kind words,
We hope to see you again too in Athol.
Have some good days on your french rivers.
Cheers
Thomas
Written 19 January 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nicole S
9 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
My family and I had heard great things about this store and my fiancé and I hH been once before and had a wonderful experience however though this time we had the worst customer service ever, as soon as we enter the store No-one greated us instead the chap in store just chatted to his buddy and when we tried to get any sort of advice we just got attitude and made to feel incompetent. Very disappointed.
Written 13 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Nicole,
Thomas here,
First thank you for your review.
I would like to say sorry about your day visiting the shop.
Sorry to felt you incompetent, it was not on my way as I try to help and give the best advice to anybody.
I hope you to see you again in the shop to have a better relation that this shop need to have.
Have a good day
Sorry again
Thomas
Written 16 January 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cecy
Christchurch, New Zealand4 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
Must see for anyone even vaguely interested in fishing! Blow-your-mind kind of shop. Excellent advice and information about local fishing.
Written 29 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi,
Thank you very much for your kind words.
I hope you had a lot of fun fishing these beautiful rivers of NZ
Hope to see you again
Cheers
Thomas manager
Written 5 January 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
michael w
Edinburgh, UK6 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
A day on the Mataura River should never occur without the presence of Stu from world famous Stu's Fly Shop. My wife and I were fortunate enough to claim Stu for the day whereupon we caught 4 lb. brown trout, learned more than we would have anticipated from his teaching skills and were guided into the best fishing in New Zealand. Most of all is Stu...a teacher, tactician and incredible host. Don't miss the opportunity of a lifetime...fish with Stu!
Written 30 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you both so much for your awesome review. It was fun and a pleasure to help you both for the day and show you some of what NZ has to offer.
May you return to theses shores soon for more fun,learning and excitement.
Cheers
Stu
Written 3 December 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nick K
Toronto, Canada4 contributions
Nov 2016 • Solo
Let me start off by saying that I am only now coming down from the high that I experienced after a single days fishing with Stu. While on a honeymoon in New Zealand my wife was gracious enough to encourage me to take a days fly fishing in this world class country. I arrived with an understanding and expectation of the NZ trout being difficult and incredibly challenging and this was proven by my unguided attempts earlier in the trip. Stu was about to change all that.
Introductions aside, I set out with Stu to fish a section of the upper Mataura. I was hoping to at least have a fair chance at catching these tough trout as I had practiced casting accuracy a few nights prior and like to think I have a fair amount of experience fly fishing. The first take was quick and a slight delay in the hook set left me with nothing but slack line. The next opportunity I was a little quicker and with some careful instruction from Stu, I was able to put a fair number of fish in the net using Stu’s nymph patterns before lunch. The day could of ended here and I would have left a happy man. With Stu’s easy going demeanor, obvious passion and quick witted humour, I could have enjoyed the day without a single fish; however, this was not to be the case.
With my lunch devoured I couldn’t wait to get fishing again. It was shortly after that something magical happened. A sporadic mayfly hatch occurred right on cue to Stu’s prediction and the trout began feeding on the surface. Trout after trout were seen in ankle deep water plucking the naturals off the top with barely a ripple in the surface to give away their presence. It was to be an afternoon that dreams are made of. Casting to these fish resulted in plenty of misses, refusals, a break off or two and more than a few glorious trout made it to the net. I believe I evolved as a fly fisherman that day as what has really stuck with me are is not the measurements or total numbers landed but the entire experience of fishing amongst beautiful scenary, great comradarie and being challenged and outsmarted by those wild Mataura trout. The adrenaline of sight fishing over large browns and then finally watching it rise to your fly only to refuse in the last moment is not for the faint hearted but is about as romantic as this sport can get.
Now, what Stu doesn’t tell you on his website is that he is an amazing photographer who captured my wonderful day with my camera while I was fixated on rising trout. I cannot thank you enough Stu – the photos and memories will last a lifetime although I know I will be back in NZ before then.
If you would like to see photos of my day with Stu check out @nkuchmak on instagram
Introductions aside, I set out with Stu to fish a section of the upper Mataura. I was hoping to at least have a fair chance at catching these tough trout as I had practiced casting accuracy a few nights prior and like to think I have a fair amount of experience fly fishing. The first take was quick and a slight delay in the hook set left me with nothing but slack line. The next opportunity I was a little quicker and with some careful instruction from Stu, I was able to put a fair number of fish in the net using Stu’s nymph patterns before lunch. The day could of ended here and I would have left a happy man. With Stu’s easy going demeanor, obvious passion and quick witted humour, I could have enjoyed the day without a single fish; however, this was not to be the case.
With my lunch devoured I couldn’t wait to get fishing again. It was shortly after that something magical happened. A sporadic mayfly hatch occurred right on cue to Stu’s prediction and the trout began feeding on the surface. Trout after trout were seen in ankle deep water plucking the naturals off the top with barely a ripple in the surface to give away their presence. It was to be an afternoon that dreams are made of. Casting to these fish resulted in plenty of misses, refusals, a break off or two and more than a few glorious trout made it to the net. I believe I evolved as a fly fisherman that day as what has really stuck with me are is not the measurements or total numbers landed but the entire experience of fishing amongst beautiful scenary, great comradarie and being challenged and outsmarted by those wild Mataura trout. The adrenaline of sight fishing over large browns and then finally watching it rise to your fly only to refuse in the last moment is not for the faint hearted but is about as romantic as this sport can get.
Now, what Stu doesn’t tell you on his website is that he is an amazing photographer who captured my wonderful day with my camera while I was fixated on rising trout. I cannot thank you enough Stu – the photos and memories will last a lifetime although I know I will be back in NZ before then.
If you would like to see photos of my day with Stu check out @nkuchmak on instagram
Written 28 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Nick
Nick, Thank you for choosing me as you NZ fly fishing guide on your short visit to NZ with your wife.
Your great review i hope will make some others smile and want to head out with me .
It was also great to feel your passion for the sport and watch you cast , as your casting was very good and accurate.
So glad the day went as planned and that the net was wet many times.
Thank you also for all the kind words about your day out.
Keep having fun on the water and with your lovely wife.
Cheers
Stu
Written 3 December 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David S
Sydney, Australia12 contributions
Feb 2016
Every year, I travel across the ditch to fly fish for trout in Southland New Zealand. And every year I spend a day being guided by Stu Tripney. What Stu doesn't know about fly fishing, the local conditions and casting isn't worth knowing. I know its a bold statement, but if you are a fly angler at any level and want a great day out, then I couldn't recommend Stu more highly. He also designs and sells his own flies which work very very well. Many of my fishing friends have also spent time out on the water with Stu and all agree that he is very very good. I recommend him to any one wanting a great day out hunting large trout in the most beautiful countryside possible.
Written 31 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello David
Great to hear you and some of the fly fishing club members are coming back again next year. Thank you so much for your honest and very helpful review.
I thank you for your valuable time in writing your review as well.
See you and all the other fly guys and girls in the shop in Feb.Lets hope the sun is out and cicadas ,willow grubs are on the surface.
Cheers
Stu
Written 12 September 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience