New Zealand

Fly Fishing New Zealand

Fly Fishing Trip or Lodge Details:

New Zealand is home to the purest of dry fly fishing opportunities, sight fishing for large brown trout. The South Island of New Zealand teems with streams and rivers, the central and west coast regions having remote waters and low density of anglers. These are the home waters, home of some of New Zealand's best trophy brown trout fly fishing.

Fly fish for New Zealand's trophy brown trout with Serge Bonnafoux on New Zealand's south island. Fly Fishing New Zealand offers a variety of guided fly fishing trips and wilderness fly fishing trips for trophy brown trout on the most scenic and diverse trophy brown trout waters anywhere. Many proclaim New Zealand the world's best trophy brown trout destination.

THE FISHING: The fishing in New Zealand is predominantly about quality not quantity. As a general rule, the bigger the fish, the fewer there are and vise versa. The fish populations in some rivers are not as numerous as in other parts of the world, but the average fish size is something else!

THE BACK COUNTRY: Be it 4x4 or helicopter, or strictly by hiking, the back country waters on the south island of New Zealand offer incredible fly fishing opportunities. Many of Fly Fish New Zealand’s favorite trips include 4x4 or helicopter access to back country waters, then hiking/packing from hut to hut or between primitive campsites. You are invited you to camp in New Zealand rainforests, rising on the morning, streamside, to fish these remote waters. Physically able? It is possible to hike from river to river, following a series of huts in the back country. Camping gear for international travelers can be provided, thus reducing your travel load on air travel.

Many of New Zealand's best trout waters are located in the back country and require time - meaning it is best to spend several nights camping or in back country huts. Fly Fish New Zealand is fully outfitted for you to enjoy these waters.

HELICOPTER FISHING: Helicopter flights can make the remote back country wilderness very accessible. These helicopter fly in fishing opportunities providing literally hundreds of kilometers of back country rivers, many of which get light pressure.

While helicopter fly fishing can be done in a day, we strongly recommend multiple days. There are many locations where you can fish up and downstream of a drop off point. Also, for the truly adventurous, fly to one location and fish a couple of days, then hike a few hours to another water. There are many options available, only limited by time. The back country is definitely yours to discover, and helicopter access saves much time and effort!

Season Information

Chiefly, October 1 to May 31. The following table will highlight prime times for various fishing options.

Rate Information

Effective through April 30, 2012

Guided Fly Fishing

Summer Fishing Season (1 October to 30 April), NZ$675 for a day's guided fishing for one angler and NZ$ 695 for two anglers.

INCLUSIONS: Fees includes all equipment, transportation by car, and picnic lunch.

EXCLUSIONS: License, gratuities, items of a personal nature, etc.

General Information

LOCATION: Hanmer Springs, North Canterbury, New Zealand. About 80 miles northwest of Christchurch.

HOW TO GET THERE: Fly to Queenstown (ZQN), via Christchurch (CHC) and/or Auckland (AKL), NZ.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Various accommodations can be arranged: camping, home stays, bed and breakfast, motel units.

OWNER: Serge Bonnafoux.