Fly Fishing Guiding Rotorua
Fly Fishing lakes and streams near Rotorua, New Zealand, gives anglers the chance to catch wild brown and rainbow trout that commonly reach trophy sizes (10 pounds). Ollie Bassett is the current New Zealand National Fly Fishing Champion (2024 & 2025), and offers year round fly fishing guiding in Rotorua.
October, November and December offer fantastic fly fishing for trout around the edges of Lake Rotorua and in smaller local streams. Lake edge 'flats' fly fishing is an exciting way to sight fish trophy brown trout which congregate in the clear shallow water to attack small baitfish. December also marks the opening of the famous Lake Rotorua tributary streams (such as the Ngongataha and Waiteti) where trout have been rested for several months during the winter closed season.
January and February mark the height of the New Zealand summer with the surface temperatures of Lake Rotorua warming dramatically, driving trout in search of cooler water. Rotorua is a shallow lake and so trout are drawn in huge numbers to the cold and clear spring fed waters of the lakes tributaries. The fishing can be fantastic throughout this period with high catch rates and the chance to see literally hundreds of large wild trout stacked into small areas.
March & April mark the arrival of autumn and the peak of the brown trout spawning run from Lake Rotorua into local tributary streams. Autumn offers the best chance to target wild trophy trout up to 30 inches in streams barely ten foot in width. Sight fishing for these huge trout is incredibly exciting and unique experience.
May to September is rainbow trout time in the Rotorua streams. Large numbers of wild rainbow trout run the rivers from Lake Rotorua and can be caught in high numbers, particularly after rain. Euro nymphing is particularly effective, although other techniques can work well. Trophy brown trout can also be targeted.
Full Day Fly Fishing Guiding Rotorua
Full day guided fly fishing trip (~ 8 hours). Includes lunch.
$1200 NZD one or two people
Half Day Fly Fishing Guiding Rotorua
Half day (~4.5 hours) guided fly fishing trip
$700 NZD one or two people
Fly fishing equipment is provided to use on the day such as rods, reels, lines, flies, etc. High quality waders & boots from Patagonia are also available to use.
Pick up and drop off can be arranged from Rotorua or Tauranga for trips in the area.
Fish and Game New Zealand licences are not included. These can be purchased separately through the Fish and Game New Zealand website, non resident day licences currently costs $38 NZD.
