Broken River

[benji28]

Hi everyone,

Where is the best place to access Broken River in the Canterbury High Country? Will be driving over from the West Coast.

Anyone been fishing there as of late and how did you get on?

Cheers,

[Maniototoflyfisher]

Hi Rachel - Welcome to the Forum. Can't help you with information about Broken River (never been there) but don't expect many (any) replies unless someone PMs you. There's a convention on here that rivers aren't named - the fishing pressure on lots of rivers is extreme and with the numbers of guests trolling here it's easy to see it getting worse if we name our "special waters". Have fun if you get there.
Regards David

[flyfish]

Best to buy John Kent's "South Island Fishing Guide" from a bookshop as a starting point for access and basic info...

[Andy W]

I will tell ya, as its a mission best left for someone else.

If you don't have a jet boat, then there are only 2 ways in - down Craigieburn Road from Cass or walk down from SH73.

Of the 2, down Craigieburn Road is the easiest way to get directly to the river, but it involves 20 something gates to open and close.

Walking in from SH73 is now difficult since access on Flock Hill was closed off by a deer fence following the filming of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Haven’t fished it for 5 years. Since TLTWATW was filmed Cave Stream has been found by hippie euro tourists who climb the rocks and live in their vans at the reserve, so its no longer the paradise it was.

Get on NZ Topo Maps or WAMS.

[Keenas]

Broken River is not easily fished at the moment as it has been running high most of the season and is a bit of a rusher. This makes crossing difficult and restricts the access. You can make your way down from the cave entrance. There is a bit of a track on the left. Not easy going but it soon opens out and there are fish before you reach the Porter confluence. The Rainbows are there but not easy to spot. Got a few last week. If the west coast behaves itself the river may come down early in the new year. Craigiburn Road takes you to good water but there are 17 gates and that's a lot if there is some already there or the river is up and you can't cross. You cross the Porter before you get to Broken river. If there's no car by the bridge already you can walk down and fish up. Best fishing is right down at the gorge before Broken river.
Cheers

[Johnno]

Don’t name rivers in public on line please..