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Born in South Carolina. Built for the South Island.
Growing up in South Carolina, the water was always where I felt most at home. From early mornings on the rivers of the American South with a rod in hand, to weekend adventures along the Atlantic coast — fishing wasn't just something I did, it was how I understood the world around me.
Years later, life brought me to the opposite end of the planet:the South Island of New Zealand. And somewhere between thefirst time I laid eyes on Lake Wānaka — those impossibly clearwaters, the mountains rising straight out of the shoreline, thekind of silence you can't find anywhere else — I knew I'd found my second home.
Reel South Charters was born from that feeling. The name is abit of a play on words: reel, as in fishing; real, as in genuine,unhurried, authentic experiences; and South, the thread connecting where I came from and where I've landed. Two souths, one passion.
I run Reel South as a one-person operation — which means when you book with us, you're getting me. My local knowledgeof these lakes, my genuine love of being out on the water, and my commitment to making sure every single person on board has a day they'll actually remember. No corporate tour groups. No box-ticking. Just real time on the water with someone who genuinely loves this place.
Whether you're here to fish, to explore, to celebrate something special, or simply to escape the busyness of town for a few hours — I'd love to take you out on the lake. Come as you are. The mountains and the water will do the rest.
Growing up in Wānaka, the mountains and the lake were always where Nala felt most at home. From early mornings tearing through the tussock to afternoons patrolling the shoreline, the outdoors wasn't just somewhere she went — it was how she understood the world around her.
Somewhere along the way, she ended up at Reel South Charters. And somewhere between the boat ramp, the fishing gear, and the constant stream of interesting strangers, she decided this was exactly where she belonged.
She has taught me more about reading the water than I'd like to admit. On the days she's on board, watch her — she tends to know things before the fish finder does. She watches the rods with an intensity that would make most anglers feel self-conscious, and the moment a fish hits the net she's first on scene, ready to assist in whatever capacity she sees fit.
Off the water, you'll find her chasing the mountain bike through Sticky Forest, launching herself after a frisbee, or conducting a very serious tennis ball investigation. Her energy is genuinely endless. She is also a big fan of the water, which makes her an excellent judge of character on a fishing charter.
Nala is my best mate. A core part of what makes Reel South feel like Reel South, and proof that life in Wānaka really is as good as it looks.
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World Class
Lakes
NZ
LICENSED &
CERTIFIED
STORIES WORTH
TELLING
We fish and cruise aboard a McLay 651 Custom Hardtop — a purpose-built charter vessel designed for exactly this kind of water. She's comfortable, capable, and built for the Southern Lakes. The hardtop cabin keeps you sheltered and warm on cooler mornings and blustery days, with heating for the colder months so you're never uncomfortable on the water. When conditions are perfect — and on Lake Wānaka, they often are — the open back deck gives you unobstructed views across the water to the mountains in every direction. The deep V hull handles the chop with ease, giving a smooth, stable ride even when the lake kicks up. Cushioned seating throughout means a long day on the water is genuinely comfortable, not something you have to endure. This is a boat built for people who want to enjoy every minute they're out there — not just tough it out until they get back to shore.
The lakes we operate on are extraordinary. Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea are among the clearest in the world, and the ecosystem surrounding them — the native forests, the birdlife, the waterways — is remarkable and irreplaceable. We don't take that lightly.
That's why a portion of every Reel South Charters booking is donated to two local organisations doing genuinely important work to protect this place.
A community organisation accelerating local action for freshwater across the Upper Clutha catchment — working with landowners, schools, businesses, and local groups to improve water quality, reverse biodiversity loss, and keep the lakes and rivers healthy for future generations.
A Wanaka non-profit that eco-sources seeds from the Upper Clutha area, raises native seedlings in their nursery, and facilitates community-based planting and habitat restoration projects throughout the region. Their work is restoring the native bush that once lined the shores of these lakes and providing habitat for the birds that make this place what it is.
Both organisations rely on community support to do what they do. By getting out on the water with us, you're contributing — directly and locally — to the long-term health of the place you're here to enjoy.
Reel South Charters works actively with Fish & Game New Zealand, contributing catch data and fishing reports to support their ongoing fisheries research in the Otago region. Every trip we run is an opportunity to gather real, on-the-water information about fish populations, species distribution, and seasonal patterns on Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. That data feeds directly into the management decisions that keep these fisheries healthy and sustainable for the anglers who come after us.
It's a small thing in the grand scheme, but it matters. Good fisheries management depends on good information, and we're in a position to help provide it.
We operate responsibly on every trip. We respect all bag limits, handle fish with care, minimise our impact on the shoreline and island sanctuaries, and take every opportunity to leave the lake better than we found it. These aren't rules we follow — they're values we hold
We're busy getting everything ready for launch and are excited to welcome you aboard soon.
Thank you for your patience—we're not far away! Stay tuned for updates, and we'll be opening bookings shortly.
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