NZ river hooks spot in super-rich top 10

Sight fishing for trout on the upper Ahuriri River, which was named among the world's best. Photo / I. Hadland

A Central Otago river has been named as a popular fly-fishing destination for millionaires.

In a recent report from New World Wealth titled Top destinations for the super-rich, Central Otago's Ahuriri River was listed as a top-rated fly-fishing spot.

It came in at seventh place, with Snake River in Wyoming taking out of the top spot, followed by Brooks River in Alaska.

The report said fly-fishing was "an increasingly popular pastime for millionaires globally".

Ahuriri River is located on the eastern flanks of the Southern Alps and flows for 70km through the Mackenzie Basin, before reaching the Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore.

Its upper reaches are well known for fly-fishing, with both brown and rainbow trout found at trophy sizes.

A Water Conservation Order passed in 1990 recognised the river and its surrounds as a wildlife habitat with "outstanding angling features".

New World Wealth is a South African company that provides information and research on the global wealth sector, with a focus on high growth markets.

Top rated fly-fishing spots (rivers), 2016

1. Snake River - Jackson Hole, Wyoming, US
2. Brooks River - Katmai National Park, Alaska, US
3. Bow River - Banff National Park, Canada
4. River Spey - Tulchan Estate, Scotland
5. Belar River - Beiarn, Norway
6. Madison River - Montana, US
7. Ahuriri River - Central Otago, New Zealand
8. Yellowstone River - Montana, US
9. Newhalen River - Alaska, US
10. West Range River - Iceland

- nzherald.co.nz