Safari Expeditions Multi Day Fly Fishing

The Multi Day Safari Expeditions are for serious fly fishermen who require a super flexible and very mobile, exploration style safari expeditions through areas of the South Island of New Zealand that few people get to see. It is generally suited to the angler who does not mind doing some hard yards, getting the hands dirty and helping out a bit with the chores of being Safari Expeditions – the locations we visit are amazing and the fishing will pay huge dividends. Depending on the weather and river conditions, where we go safari expeditions is never pre-determined, but worked out to suit the conditions we encounter so we can maximize your time and chances of being in some of the most awe inspiring fly-fishing terrain on the planet and the chance to hook into truly stunning NZ trout!

Safari Expeditions - Hooked up!

The Area & Rivers

Safari Expeditions incorporate a very large potential area to fish. On any given trip we may range into the Central South Island, Mackenzie Country, Central Otago, Eastern Otago, South Westland Fiordland and Southland – basically the lower half of the South Island, although pushing further north is never out of the question! There is a wide variety of water to fish while on safari expeditions, large alluvial riverbeds, grass and tussock lined streams, mountain rivers that cascade through sub-temperate rain forests, freestone streams, crystal clear spring creeks, small tarns and large lakes, all holding large NZ trout.

The Fishing

All of these safari expeditions waters have large wily brown trout and some have a mix of rainbow trout as well. A few of our southern rivers have runs of sea trout after Xmas and also some small runs of Chinook salmon in Feb and March (when the rivers are low and clear these fish can be caught on standard fly gear from time to time). The average size of fish we catch is around the 20” mark (around 3 – 5lbs) and many well over that size. The opportunities for true NZ trophy trout are always possible with 10lb+ fish being landed each year by lucky anglers.

The Accommodation

The base of operation for these safari expeditions is the famous “OZ tent” which in experienced hands is up in 30 seconds from start to finish (actually takes about 3 – 5 minutes in reality after a days fishing). This system is fully integrated with the 4WD vehicle. This allows us to move camp quickly or arrive late and be all setup in a matter of minutes in a new area with a gorgeous river or lake at the doorstep, getting dinner ready and settling in, ready for the next days fishing. Some other very important equipment that comes on Safari for your pleasure and enjoyment – a large gas burner for cooking on, solar shower for getting clean occasionally, large chilly bin for food and refreshments (this may require replenishing at some point on the trip), chemical toilet (when required), luxury padded stretchers, bivvy bags for quick and light overnight missions away from base camp (when required), sleeping bags, radios (when required), emergency locator beacon (always), sat phone (when required), fish smoker, pots, pans, plates and utensils and a good sense of humour amongst a few other things.

Safari Expeditions - Out of the way places

Best Times

The safari expeditions season starts on 1st October and typically the rivers will be high from snow melt dropping as the month’s progress. The fish will be well rested, as they will not have seen an angler for five months. Dec-March is the prime season with surface insect life at its peak and 70% of fish caught will be on a dry fly. The big, bad and bold fish may take a little extra encouragement and a nymph fished under a dry can often be the recipe for success. April sees the start of more changeable conditions with a good chance of Mayfly activity on some waters. Dry fly, terrestrial and nymphs are all used depending on the conditions.

Early season: 1 Oct-30 Nov

Peak season: 1 Dec-30 March

Late season: 1st Apr -31st  May

Safari Expeditions Brief Trip Description

Day One – I will pick you up from the Queenstown airport or your Queenstown accommodation at a pre-arranged time. Depending on the forecast for the next few days we will head out of Queenstown and towards the area that is going be best suited to start our expedition taking into account of what may happen to the weather in a few days time – this will constantly be assessed throughout the course of the expedition to maximize your time and fishing opportunties. After some fishing on the way to our first nights camp, we set up camp, eat some kai (dinner) and get ready for the next day on the river. You may be able to get the evening rise in at our selected camp site.

Days 2 and 3 – After a hearty breakfast at camp, some lunch prep we will head off hunting for those big NZ trout in our chosen area. This may mean we just walk direct from our campsite or it could involve a short drive from our camp area before starting to fish. Many of the areas we will stop in have multiple options to fish different water in the nearby area without having to move camp every day – sometimes we may need to move camp more regularly. After we have finished fishing for the day, its’ back to camp for some kai and maybe it’s time to move on to our next area. When it comes time to move we can choose the time of our departure either by rising early and moving in the morning and fishing a stream on the way to our next locale or by moving in the evening after a days fishing depending on where our next location is and the energy levels we have left!

Day 4 –This is your last day to hit some fishing as you return to Queenstown accommodation or the Queenstown airport as required and the end of a great trip.

Cost 1 pax: NZD 3,745.00 (extra days can be booked at the rate of NZD 940.00 per day)

Cost 2 pax: NZD 4,265.00 (extra days can be booked at the rate of NZD 1070.00 per day)

Season: The 2011 – 2012 season runs from 1st Oct 2011 to 31st May 2012

Safari Expeditions Package Includes: This is a 3 night package. Price includes: 4 days guided fly-fishing, 3 nights accommodation, all food and non alcoholic refreshments, equipment, video footage, digital images, safety and risk management, DoC concessions, all 4wd transport and GST. NB. The guide is shared between two anglers.
Note: Price does not include: fishing licenses, helicopter excursions, boat trips, alcoholic refreshments or gratuities. Capacity is 2 guests only.

• Longer Expeditions are available on request.

Safari Expeditions - Wicked places and big fish

Add Ons:

Heli-Access Trips

As we go, day or even overnight outings by helicopter can be arranged quite easily as we have all the necessary equipment with us as we travel (be prepared for a night out in a bivvy bag if you choose an overnight heli option). Talk to your guide and he will work to fit it in with the best weather during your trip. This allows unparalleled access to the wildest and most remote of streams, some of which may never have been fished by another angler all season. These add-ons will incur an additional expense.

Boat Access Trips

Some areas we have access to do not allow the option of the aerial angler (heli-fishing) and the only way to access them is by boat. These areas do not see much in the way of human beings and can offer some of the best wilderness fishing in NZ. Your guide can arrange these add ons to the Safari expeditions easily and are worked in with suitable weather patterns to maximize your enjoyment. Depending on your desires these can also be turned into an overnight expedition staying in huts on the edge of the lakes. If it’s a mouse season —- wow! These add-on will incur an additional expense.

After booking a multi day expedition I will send you a comprehensive information pack and a check list to make sure you arrive with everything you will really need.

Please inquire here if you would like a  Safari Expeditions Fly fishing trip of a lifetime.

Follow this link for additional information when planing your trip.

Phone:   +64 (3) 4421950

Mobile:    +64 (0) 27 216 3787

Email: siwilkinson@xnet.co.nz