New Zealand South Island Guiding Trip

If you are coming to New Zealand and wish to have a fishing itinerary prepared for you, I can arrange any or all of the following services:-  

• Motel or lodge or home stay accommodation.
• Fishing guides in any other area.
• Rental car, FWD or Camper van.
• Saltwater Big Game fishing, for Marlin, Tuna etc.
• Saltwater fly-fishing.
• Sightseeing.
• Jet-boating, Bungee-jumping and white water rafting.
• Or any other activities that you may wish to enquire about.

Prices will vary according to the type and number and variety of services you require

For the non-fishing partners who want to experience the culture and warm hospitality that New Zealand has become known for, Guide NZ have put together varying itineraries to cater for various people's interests - you can combine any of these tours to make up your own itinerary or, of course, our specialty is creating an itinerary just for you, which reflects your particular interests and preferences - it's your choice.

You must have a fishing licence: It is compulsory to have a valid fishing licence when fishing in New Zealand. A single licence to fish will cover all of N.Z. except the Taupo area. I have local licences for sale. Costs vary from NZ$15.00 per person per day.  A full seasonal licence is available, annual rates apply.

So What is the Fly Fishing Like in New Zealand
(and what can you expect?)
Some anglers who have not been to New Zealand, have unrealistic expectations.  In comparison to most other places the fly fishing is hard.  The fish are not as numerous as in other parts of the world, but their size is something else....

I recently had a client, who landed in a day, a trout of 9lbs, two of 8lbs, one of 7½lbs and two of 7lbs!! and all on a dry-fly!!  Now this is the exception rather than the rule, but all of these fish were sighted and stalked, before the cast was made.   Fish in the 4lb to 6lb range are not too uncommon in some of our back country streams and lakes.  Due to the extreme clarity of the water some of the fishing can be technically difficult, but at other times almost ridiculously easy.  Most of the time, however, the fish are sighted, then a fly chosen, the fish stalked and a careful cast made!

Client Comments:

A unique experience - spotting and stalking huge trout in amazing surroundings.

The service and guiding was the best.
Allan J Scott  (Pensicola)


Best guided fishing we ever had, anywhere.
Ed & Kathy (California)

New Zealand South Island Guiding Trip -
EQUIPMENT
A six weight fly-rod, nine feet long is ideal.  I am able to supply for my clients, Sage & Loomis. Because of the clarity of the water, you should avoid ight coloured fly-lines such as white or yellow.  An olive or some other earthy colour is best, and weight forward lines are the most used configuration.  Long leaders are pretty well essential.  A twelve foot tapered leader with a 5/6 lb point is fine.  You will need to attach a tippet of 4/5/6 lb about four to six feet long.

FLIES
Standard North American patterns work well here, but you will need to be able to 'match the hatch' in some of our spring creeks with local patterns.  Adams, Royal Wulf.   Humpies in various colours, Elkhair cadis are all used here.  Nymphs should include, stone flies in own and green, hare and copper, gold-ribbed hares ear, caddis in own and green and this can be supplemented with a few local patterns.

WADERS
If you feel the cold, light weight nylon waist waders are a good idea for October and early November.  Felt soled wading boots are essential, especially from mid November to the end of the season at the end of April.  In our hottest months, we often wear shorts and wading boots, (there are no snakes in New Zealand).  We do have a small and somewhat annoying insect called a sandfly, (among other things more colourful).  If these annoy you during the hottest months, you can wear poly-prop longjohns, (preferably in green), under your shorts then add your wading boots.  Gravel guards are a good idea too.

In general you will catch more fish in neutral coloured clothing, ie. olive, dark greens or owns.  (I personally wear camo, and find it perfect), but you should avoid ight colours.  Last and nor least, a oad-immed hat is good as the sun can be very strong here at times and a pair of AMBER coloured, polarized glasses or clip-ons are essential.  We have done a great deal of experimentation with various colours of fishing glasses, and nothing comes close to amber (pale yellow), for all round conditions of light.

Fly fishing in New Zealand information. For all trout fishing including fly fishing the opening day for the majority of New Zealand is October 1st. There are some areas have further restrictions ie some South Island high country areas open in the 1st weekend in November, with a very small number of areas opening on December 1st.  The Fly fishing season goes through to the end of April and in some areas to the end of May.  There is some limited Winter fishing, with the main and the best area at that time being the Central North Island, in the world famous Taupo area.

The best months for fly fishing New Zealand waters are early November through to the end of March.  You should plan some other activities from about December 24th to about mid January.   This is when most kiwis take their annual vacation and the rivers and lakes can get a bit crowded.

Book Now - "What the guide charges, is what you will pay and nothing extra. No middleman fees ~ book direct or contact the guide today!"
John Openshaw ~ President, WadersOn.com

My fee includes:

• Complimentary transport by comfortable FWD  (Toyota Landcruiser)
• A sumptuous guides lunch (tailored to your  individual dietary requirements).
• Plenty of snacks and drinks during the day.

(A deposit of 25% is payable to confirm booking and is non-refundable if cancelled less than 30 days before the guiding)