New Zealand boasts some of the best year round brown and rainbow trout fishing in the world, with lakes and rivers stocked with fish in size and number not found anywhere else. Lake Rotorua, and its streams and tributaries, are ranked as having the best catch rate per hour in the world. Here you will find some of the very best combination trout fishing and boutique accommodation suggestions.

ROTORUA

Treetops Lodge & Estate

Rise at dawn, slip out and fish at your doorstep, or ‘fish the twilight’ at one of Treetop’s on-site lakes, surrounded by 800 year old native forest. A carefully managed game and wildlife habitat for fly fishermen and their pampered guests, Treetops invites you to fill your days dry fly-fishing one of the four on-site lakes selected by our highly experienced guide. Your day includes transport, all fishing equipment, licences and picnic hampers. Maximum two people per guide. Kawaha Point LodgeStay at Kawaha Point Lodge and be collected by float plane from their private jetty for a days fishing. There are three lakes regarded as “trophies”, Tarawera, Rotoiti and Okataina, but don’t forget to release your first trout back for the taniwha (a mythical water creature) – this will improve your cast and catch rate for the remainder of the day! Your day includes an experienced guide, gear, lunch, transport and your fly fishing licence.

TAUPO

Chalet Eiger

Offering picturesque views down  to Lake Taupo and over to Mount Tauhara, luxury bed & breakfast, Chalet Eiger’s location makes it perfectly situated for easy access to Taupo’s world famous trout fishing spots. A speciality is raft fishing (or drift fi shing) – one of the best ways to access remote areas inaccessible on foot, such as the Tongariro, Mohaka, Ngaruroro or Rangitikei Rivers. Your hosts will willingly cook your catch for dinner! Your full day of fly fishing includes your guide, licence, fishing gear and lunch.

HAWKE’S BAY

Millar Road

Nestled amongst its own vineyard with views to Palliser Bay, Millar Road, in the Hawke’s Bay is an ideal base to explore the dozens of trout streams that flow through this region. Meander in a spring creek pursuing trophy-sized brown and rainbow trout.

CHRISTCHURCH/CANTERBURY

Claremont Country Estate

Claremont Country Estate offers avid trout and salmon fishermen a real treat – exclusive river access on private land. Off-site fishing options within a 50 minute drive off the property, include the pristine waters of the Waiau River or the Huranui River. Alternatively, the on-site fishing guide will take guests deep into the high back country, home to fantastic fishing spots known only to the locals. Your guide for the day will take you where the fishing is likely to be best on the day (collecting you from the lodge if necessary), and provide all gear (except waders) and licences.

WEST COAST

Wapiti Park Homestead

Perfect for both the recreational angler and the serious fly fisherman. La Fontaine Stream is a world-renowned, 12 mile fly fishing water and an angler’s paradise located only five minutes from the gates of Wapiti Park. Alternatively your experienced guide can introduce you to many excellent opportunities offered by the small spring-fed streams, mountain rivers and pristine lakes all within 30 minutes drive of the lodge. Your full day of fly fishing includes your guide, fishing gear and lunch.

QUEENSTOWN

Matakauri Lodge

Matakauri Lodge, nestled in native bush overlooking Lake Wakatipu, offers the perfect environment for a day’s fly fishing. The property, has its own jetty allowing guests to fish for brown and rainbow trout, or be collected to go ‘trolling’ (a style of fi shing where bait is trailed through a likely spot hoping for a bite) on the lake. Alternatively, Southern Trout fly fishing specialists will collect guests and take them into areas of magnifi cent scenery, majestic mountains, beech forest, streams and crystal clear mountain rivers including Mataura, Oreti, Greenstone and Maraora. Heli fi shing is also available on request.

Note: The New Zealand fly fishing season runs from October 1 through to April 30, subject to availability.