Nevis called the pinnacle of fly-fishing

New Zealand is the El Dorado of fly-fishing destinations in the world and the Nevis River is the pinnacle, according to a fly-fishing guide.

An array of elements made the "classic Central Otago" river the best in the country for fly-fishermen, Ian Cole, of Wanaka, told a tribunal yesterday.

The tribunal is considering an amendment - a Water Conservation Order which would prohibit damming on the Nevis River or diverting the flow.

Mr Cole operates from Wanaka and Queenstown and has internationally-recognised qualifications as a guide. The Nevis was a trophy brown trout water and the pinnacle of fly-fishing destinations, he said.

"There's no question, on an international stage, New Zealand is still the El Dorado of fly fishing destinations ... in the world."

"Nevis fish are by their very size, colour and sheer challenge to catch, a sight to behold - a truly noble creature. They demand respect in every sense of the word."

Although gold mining tailings and ponds were a feature of the Nevis Valley, nature had restored much of it to its former glory, he said.

"Unquestionably, a dam in the Nevis would destroy that pristine, natural wild river environment forever."

There had been a worldwide explosion in the popularity of fly-fishing in the past 20 years, he said.

He would take only five clients a year into the Nevis as he did not want to "overfish" the area.

The majority of his international clients were Australian, Mr Cole said.

Richard Marquand, of Cromwell, gave similar evidence. He had been a recreational angler for about 50 years, worked for the New Zealand Wildlife Service and Department of Conservation for 20 years, and as a fishing guide for 14 years.

The Nevis fishery had a national and international reputation for producing trophy brown trout, some over 4.5kg. The heaviest trout caught by one of his clients was 6.3kg.

"It provides the ultimate angling experience," Mr Marquand said.

A dam flooding the river upstream from Nevis Crossing would ruin the valley, he said.

Queensland scientist Tobias Bickel completed a survey on brown trout migration in the Nevis in 2007 and said the fishery was largely isolated and self-contained.

Maintenance of the conditions that supported all stages of the lifecycle was critical for sustaining the fishery, he said, as hydro development would have an impact on the spawning areas.

• Day 3

Tribunal: Richard Fowler (chairman), Carolyn Burns and Rauru Kirikiri.

Application: To amend the existing Water Conservation Order so damming or diversion of the Nevis River is prohibited.

Players: New Zealand and Otago Fish and Game Councils have sought the changes, Pioneer Generation and TrustPower are among those in opposition.

Yesterday: Evidence was heard from fishing guides Ian Cole and Richard Marquand, Clutha Fisheries Trust chairman Dan Rae, scientist Tobias Bickel and planner Carmen Taylor.

Quote of the day: "They are from North America and rainbow trout are really quite stupid to fish for, compared to brown trout, who are a challenge" - fishing guide Richard Marquand, of Cromwell.