In my opinion this is one of the best freshwater fishing books every written by a New Zealand angler. I live and fish in the South Island of New Zealand and as such are just a little bit biased. However this book deserves recognition for its accuracy and general usefulness to the traveling angler. No less than 206 waters are covered, including all the major lakes, rivers and streams. There is plenty of information of interest to the salmon angler as well those who seek browns and rainbows.

Peter has given his thoughts on the best flies and spinners to use in different places. He also covers some interesting facts about each water that must have been the result of considerable research. There is also a break down of bag limits and fish sizes together with season lengths and so on. This information is now obsolete so disregard it or you will be in serious trouble with the Fish & Game ranger!

Over the years I have fished many of the locations covered by Peter Shutt with varying decrees of success. I have always found it interesting to compare my own observations with those of the author. Perhaps one difference is Peters absence of Tillin's Cobras and Tassie Devils as spinner baits in preference to old hardware like black Tobys and Zed spinners when chasing brown and rainbow trout. If you like; metal giving way to plastic! However the old tackle still works just as well and I whole-heartedly support Peter's views.

Peter Shutt is one of the South Island's best known and respected angling personalities. He is a professional fishing guide, angling columnist, has been chairman of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, had a radio show, and for many years operated a leading sporting goods store in Timaru.

Peter's book has been reprinted many times, but perhaps my greatest recommendation is that my own copy is very tatty and falling apart, testament to the countless times I have pawed through it's pages.

There is nothing better than sitting in my campervan, after dinner, turning over the pages of Fishing in the South Island. Interrupted only by the odd leisurely poke through my fly boxes to see if I have that fly Peter suggests might be a good one for the morning!

Highly recommended. - Allan Burgess