HIGH COUNTRY
No angling trip to New Zealand would be complete without spending time on alpine water. Overnight expeditions into South Island's wilderness rivers in Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks and the West Coast are at the top of many a trout bum's bucket list. Although the weather is less dependable then, November and early December offer anglers the best chance at trophy fish and uncrowded conditions. From Christmas 'til early February Kiwis head to the hills for their summer holidays, and this is when back-country rivers experience the most pressure.
Late February and March offer less crowded conditions and more consistent hatches. The rivers are often low and clear, and the warmer weather brings the fish up looking for terrestrials and mayfly hatches. This is an ideal time for sight fishing for large backcountry trout. But don’t expect large numbers of fish; the watersheds can often hold remarkably few, though large, fish.
If you want peak performance, practice, practice casting before your outing. Casting ability is the single biggest determinant of a client's success. World-class athletes and jazz musicians don't show up to the Olympics without training--or to Birdland without practicing their tenor sax. Come prepared to the best of your ability, and the fishing gods may smile.
Helicopter and jet-boat can be used to access remote destinations. Transportation fees, in addition to guide fees, range from about $2K-4.5 K NZD and up. Jetboat transportation to a limited number of options is much cheaper. Overnight fees for camping in basic huts or mountaineering tents, with all equipment and meals, starts at $350 per person a night ($600 for two).
By Special Arrangement:
I also offer 3- to 10-day trips to trophy North Island fisheries.
Late February and March offer less crowded conditions and more consistent hatches. The rivers are often low and clear, and the warmer weather brings the fish up looking for terrestrials and mayfly hatches. This is an ideal time for sight fishing for large backcountry trout. But don’t expect large numbers of fish; the watersheds can often hold remarkably few, though large, fish.
If you want peak performance, practice, practice casting before your outing. Casting ability is the single biggest determinant of a client's success. World-class athletes and jazz musicians don't show up to the Olympics without training--or to Birdland without practicing their tenor sax. Come prepared to the best of your ability, and the fishing gods may smile.
Helicopter and jet-boat can be used to access remote destinations. Transportation fees, in addition to guide fees, range from about $2K-4.5 K NZD and up. Jetboat transportation to a limited number of options is much cheaper. Overnight fees for camping in basic huts or mountaineering tents, with all equipment and meals, starts at $350 per person a night ($600 for two).
By Special Arrangement:
I also offer 3- to 10-day trips to trophy North Island fisheries.