Peeling Back the Skin on the South Island: Frontcountry

The most demanding part of fishing the South Island frontcountry can be navigating the few hundred steps from the vehicle to the trout stream.
If the electrified sheep fences don’t get you, the big angry bull across the meadow might. Agricultural impediments abound. New Zealand might just be home to the gnarliest streamside brush in the world, short of the Amazon. The nasties include native matagouri, introduced gorse, and ankle-raking sword grass. More thorns and barbs than a parliamentary debate.
But then you break through the riparian gauntlet and view a postcard-pretty stream and all is forgiven.

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