Dougal Rillstone's love letter to the Mataura River | A Gallery from Sunday Morning | RNZ National

Dougal Rillstone's new book Upstream in the Mataura details his 70-year fascination for Southland's Mataura River — a river than almost claimed his life in the 1970s — from his childhood in Gore through until the present day. He accounts the incredible 240km journey he undertook from sea to the source of his home river, and looks at how the river has changed over the course of his lifetime.

Dougal on point in the Waimea. Photo credit: Sue Larkins

Trout often hang where casting is a challenge. Photo credit: Andrew Harding

They keep us coming back. Photo credit: Andrew Harding

The Waikaia Valley. Photo credit: Andrew Harding

Cattle continue to break down banks, and pollute the river. Photo credit: Andrew Harding

Late in the season, near Fairlight. Photo credit: Andrew Harding

Dave and JD, back in the 80’s.

Late light on the Mataura upstream of Athol. Photo credit: Andrew Harding

The author and Uncle Ernie. My fishing mate, in the 70s

Dave, ebullient, on the Waimea

Mataura passing through seams of rock, above Gore Photo credit: Dougal

Start of the walk. Where the Mataura meets the ocean. Photo credit: Dougal Rillstone

Whitebaiter's accommodation on the estuary Photo credit: Dougal Rillstone

Camp beside the lower Mataura Photo credit: Dougal Rillstone

A days walk in from the coast.

Dougal, close to the source.

Saying goodbye to Sue at the start of the walk Photo credit: Sue Larkins

JD, on the Mataura

The mayfly hatch can look like a blizzard. Photo credit: Andrew Harding

Kevin Ireland casting at trout rising in the foam line

Karearea in the Nokomai Gorge Photo credit: Dougal Rillstone

Near the end of the walk, looking towards the source in the Eyre Mountains. Photo credit: Dougal Rillstone

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.