Queenstown
Fly Fishing Expeditions

Queenstown NZ Fly Fishing Expeditions

The trout are close. The good ones still take finding.

Queenstown may be known for its mountains, but for fly anglers, it's the rivers beyond the town that matter.

Within an hour or two lies an extraordinary network of spring creeks, freestone rivers and alpine streams, each holding wild brown and rainbow trout in some of New Zealand's most spectacular landscapes. Depending on conditions, we choose the water that offers the best opportunity on the day, taking you beyond the well-known spots and into rivers we've spent years getting to know.

Whether you are visiting Queenstown for a few days or making fly fishing the focus of your trip, this expedition offers access to some of the finest trout water in the lower South Island.

Price

NZ$1,400 per day
(for one or two anglers)
Full day guided expedition

Book online

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Expedition Details

  • Duration: Full Day, approximately 8–10 hours.
  • Departure: Queenstown accommodation or an agreed meeting point.
  • Return: Queenstown accommodation or an agreed drop off.
  • Group Size: Maximum two anglers per guide.
  • Suitable For: Beginner to experienced anglers.
  • Target Species: Wild brown trout and rainbow trout.
  • Season: October to May.
  • Equipment Hire: Available on request.
    (Quality fly fishing equipment can be hired if required, including rods, reels, waders and boots).
  • Package Inclusions: Professional fly fishing guide, return transport from Queenstown accommodation, access to carefully selected fisheries, Department of Conservation concessions where required, safety equipment, GST.
  • Package Exclusions: New Zealand Fish & Game licence, lunch and refreshments, equipment hire, credit card fees.
    See our helpful links page to help with your planning.

What to Expect

No two days are ever quite the same.

After collecting you from your Queenstown accommodation, we’ll head for the water offering the best opportunity that day. That might be a backcountry river, a hidden spring creek or a remote valley few visitors ever reach.

Your guide will help with spotting fish, reading water, improving presentation and refining technique. Whether you’re making your first fly cast or stalking trophy trout, the day is shaped around your experience, ability and goals.

The Water

Queenstown sits at the centre of one of New Zealand’s most diverse fly fishing regions.

Within reach are gin-clear freestone rivers, willow-lined spring creeks, braided river systems and alpine valleys. Each fishes differently. Each changes with the season. And each rewards knowing when to fish it — and when to go somewhere else.

The Fish

These waters hold wild brown trout, with rainbow trout found in selected fisheries.

Most fishing is sight-based, which means you’ll be stalking individual fish in clear water, reading currents and making every cast count. It’s technical enough to challenge experienced anglers, but just as rewarding for beginners learning alongside a guide.

Best Time to Fish

The Queenstown region fishes well throughout the season.

  • October – November
    Cooler water, active fish and fewer anglers.
  • December – February
    Longer days, settled weather and excellent sight fishing.
  • March – May
    Cooler mornings, autumn colour and larger pre-spawning fish.

Why Fish With Us?

Anyone can take you to a river.

Knowing which river to fish today, where trout are likely to be holding and when to move on comes from years spent exploring these waters.

We don’t run identical trips, because no two days on these rivers are identical. Every expedition is shaped by the conditions, guided by experience and built around finding the best fishing available on the day.

Book online

Book Now

Where does the Queenstown fly fishing trip start and finish?

You're picked up from your Queenstown accommodation at a pre-arranged time and returned there at the end of the day. From there it's up to a 90-minute drive to reach water that suits you, the weather and the river conditions on the day.

How long is the trip — can I do a half day?

These run as full-day expeditions only. The nearest good rivers are at least a 40-minute drive from Queenstown, and many take up to two hours one way, so a full day is the only realistic way to reach quality water and make the travel worthwhile.

What does it cost and what's included?

The trip is NZD $1,400.00 (plus credit card fees if applicable). That covers one day of guided fly fishing, safety and risk management, DoC concessions, 4WD transport and GST. The guide is shared between two anglers.

What's not included in the price?

Food, fishing licences, helicopter excursions, and boat trips are not included. You'll need to bring or buy your own lunch and purchase your own fishing licence.

Do I need to bring my own gear?

No. If you don't bring your own equipment, waders, boots, rods and reels can be hired for NZD $50.00 per angler per day.

Do I need a fishing licence, and which one?

Yes, and it's not included in the trip price — many clients fishing elsewhere in NZ already hold a full-season licence. A full-season licence is the best option as it opens up the best water and is mandatory for heli-fishing. As a guide to costs: a NZ Full Season licence is about NZ$153 for residents and NZ$264 for non-residents (covering all of NZ except the Taupō region), while a non-resident day licence is around NZ$37 but excludes certain blue-ribbon fisheries. A Designated Waters licence may also be needed. Licences are available through Fish & Game NZ, and the guide is happy to help you choose the right one.

What kind of fish will I catch, and how big?

The waters hold large wily brown trout, with rainbow trout on some rivers. Average fish run around the 20-inch mark (roughly 3–5 lb), with many over that. Genuine trophy trout are always a possibility — 10 lb+ fish are landed each year. Some southern rivers also see runs of sea trout after Christmas and small runs of Chinook salmon in February and March.

When is the best time to go?

The season runs 1 October to 31 May. It breaks down as early season (1 Oct – 30 Nov), when fish are well rested after five months untouched; peak season (1 Dec – 30 March), when surface insect life peaks and around 70% of fish are caught on a dry fly; and late season (1 April – 31 May), which brings more changeable conditions and a good chance of mayfly activity.

What's the fishing style — dry fly or nymph?

It varies with the season and conditions. Through the peak months most fish come on dry fly, though a nymph fished under a dry is often the recipe for the bigger, more cautious fish. In the shoulder seasons dry fly, terrestrials and nymphs are all used depending on the day.

What are the rivers and landscapes like?

Expect a real variety — lush green farmland, open tussock lands, mountain beech forests and dramatic mountain scenery, with spring creeks, freestone rivers, alluvial rivers and alpine lakes running through them. Because the region catches weather from different directions, there's almost always a river somewhere in good condition on any given day.

Can I access more remote water by helicopter?

Yes. Many rivers are only easily reached by helicopter from Queenstown or Wanaka, and heli day-trips into remote back country can be arranged with your guide to fit the best weather during your stay. These reach the wildest, most remote streams — some untouched all season — and carry an extra cost for the helicopter and landing permits. Heli-fishing is priced on application (POA).

How many people share a guide?

There is a maximum of two anglers per guide.

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