RATES, BOOKINGS, AND CANCELLATIONS



2024-2025 Season Rates​

Rates quoted below do not include the price of licenses or helicopter or boat transport, which are the clients' responsibilities to pay.  

Clients are also responsible for purchasing their own license, which they can do here on the New Zealand Fish and Game website.  Fishing without a license can result in a hefty fine and the seizure of gear.

Guiding Rates

Rates are quoted in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) and are subject to change. They include Goods and Service Tax (GST) of 15%. It always pays to ask if other guides have included GST in their quotations.

Main Season – 1 October 2024 – 30 September 2025

Typically, I pick up clients any time between 7-8:30 am, and we fish about seven to eight hours. The actual length of the day depends on many factors, such as weather, drive time, clients’ energy levels and attitude, their plans, and the fishing.

​On long summer days with an evening rise on the Mataura, we sometimes fish the last hours of light, so we start those days later, as neither client nor guides can fish endless 12 hour days in a row. 

Days requiring long drive times are billed at a slightly higher rate than standard days of less than one hour travel.

Standard Full-Day Rates
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These depend on drive time and prices below are a general guide. 

For custom itineraries, email me at [email protected] or ring me on +6427-346-6903

Waters within an hour's drive:
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One angler  $1,095 NZD
Two anglers $1,295 NZD

Waters with one to two hours drive:

One angler $1,295
Two anglers $1,395

Queenstown:

One angler  $1,395 NZD
Two anglers $1,495 NZD

Wanaka, Te Anau or days with long drives:

One angler $1,395 NZD
Two anglers $1,495 NZD

Full day on the Mataura or nearby waters:

From Riversdale:
 
One angler  $1095 NZD
Two anglers $1,295 NZD

From Dunedin, return:
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One angler   $1,195 NZD
Two anglers $1,395 NZD:


If anglers are willing to meet closer to the best fishing, with fewest bootprints, I discount my rate.  But clients who require pickup in downtown Queenstown, especially during summer peak or construction, can add hours to the guide's day.  I can sometimes do it.  But this is less than ideal because we have to target waters closer to Queenstown unless we're heli-fishing.  The resort has over 3.6 million visitor nights a year, and some of those people fish. 

​It's good for both the angler and trout to find less pressured water than the beats nearest city limits.

Full-day guided fishing includes
  • local pickup from accommodation
  • Custom flies
  • TroutHunter Fluorocarbon
  • Healthy, quality lunch
  • Nikon professional photos

Not included in my daily rate:
  • Fishing Licenses
  • wader and boot rental ($50 per person)
  • Rod and reel rental ($50 p person)
  • Boat or helicopter charters
  • Clients pay boat or helicopter charters directly to the operators, typically either by cash or credit card, just before departure​

Road trips

Clients cover the costs of fuel and guide's accommodations and food.

Half-day outings

Four hours fishing on a nearby river, out of Riversdale or other location with minimal drive time, ie, less than 30 minutes.  Our half days have the same fixed costs as full and are priced accordingly.
NB: May be unavailable during peak months of December through February, except as last-minute bookings.  Anglers bring their own lunch or snacks.

One angler:     $795 NZD
Two anglers:    $845 NZD

Casting lessons
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$100 per hour
Minimum of two hours, which can be split into multiple sessions. 

Gift certificates are available in $100 increments, and you can apply them to casting lessons or guide days.

Best angler-to-guide ratio

Please note the industry standard is no more than two clients per guide.

Fly fishing successfully for brown trout depends on spotting individual trout without alarming them, positioning anglers, and developing the best presentation strategy.  All of this is geared at not spooking fish by standing high on the horizon, wading noisily or casting clumsily, too often or at the wrong moment.  It's challenging enough with two novice anglers.  

If your group can afford it, we recommend a second guide for three anglers.  This is the industry's standard to promote safety and quality of experience.

However, a third angler can sometimes work on a high-country lake or larger river, particularly if the angler is experienced or used to fishing with other members of the group.  Third anglers require additional per person rates to cover flies, tippet, lunch and beverages and risk.

The higher the number of anglers, the lower the amount of individual attention a guide can provide.

Third-angler rates are an additional 50 percent of the rate of two anglers, ie, $425 NZD on a half-day or $495-$750 for a full day.  This reflects the additional work, fixed costs and risk.

We do, however, offer class instruction at a lower price per client, but this is a group instruction service rather than a guided experience.  

Rentals

Boots                    $20 NZD per person a day
Waders                $30 NZD per person
Please specify sizes.
Rods and reels    $50 NZD per person
Please specify right- or left-winding reels.

Days with long drives may incur a reasonable fuel charge.

Helifishing packages are available out of Queenstown, Wanaka, Te Anau, Haast and Karamea.

​Most helicopter transport from resorts to the backcountry runs $4K NZD and up.  Boat transportation and fixed-wing aircraft are significantly cheaper, but they are more subject to cancellation when the wind kicks up.

  • Licenses are an additional cost and  clients' responsibility.  Many backcountry destinations require a Designated Waters license.  


OVERNIGHT WILDERNESS CAMPOUT PACKAGE:


Overnight fees

For camping out in expedition tents or Department of Conservation huts, I charge $450 per person or $750 for two to cover gear, dinner and breakfast. 

N.B.: Queenstown and Wanaka are often places long-lost mates meet up prior to fishing trips. Take care that you’re not lured by the Sirens’ Song to overindulge the night before a wilderness helicopter trip. Being hung over in a helicopter can challenge your constitution. Save the late-night partying for your return.

* * *

 WINTER FISHING SPECIALS:
    
Available at any time from June 1st – 30th September – 1-2 anglers – NZD 925.00

  • Fishing days are shorter during winter. The best fishing is typically in the middle of the day. (Anglers must supply own lunch for this price.)
  • Guide will meet anglers at prearranged location. If my vehicle is required, anglers will refill the fuel tank at the end of the day’s fishing.
  • Fishing Licenses are an additional cost.

BOOKINGS AND PAYMENTS

TERMS OF SERVICE

Please read carefully.  If you book dates with me, you agree to these terms, which are standard to our industry.
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  • A nonrefundable deposit is required to confirm a booking. All prices will be quoted in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) and will include a Goods and Service Tax (GST) of 15%. (It always pays to ask other guides if they include GST in their quotations.)
  • A deposit invoice will be issued and can be paid by www.Wise.com, Paypal, Visa or Mastercard, or by direct credit to my bank account. Details are included in my invoice.  Please included transaction fees.  If using Paypal or a credit card, please include the 4 percent transaction fee these companies charge.  (If paying with this method, a single payment is cheaper.)  If making an international wire transfer, please include the $27 NZD incoming bank fee. No transaction fees are necessary for direct deposit from a New Zealand account, cash.  www.Wise.com has the cheapest fees at only$ 6 per $1,000 and the best exchange rates on foreign currency.
  • Fishing dates specified in the deposit invoice will be held for seven days from the invoice date.
  • Deposits will be a minimum of 33% of the estimated total guiding fee. Another 33% is due two months prior to the departure date.  If clients cancel, the deposit can be applied to another date.
  • The balance is due one month before the trip begins, with any additional costs incurred due the day the trip finishes.
  • Clients accept responsibility for paying for any equipment they damage or lose when the trip is finished.
  • Preferred methods of payment are: cash, www.Wise.com, Visa, Mastercard, Paypal, internet banking or bank transfer.  
  • Foreign personal cheques are not accepted.  New Zealand banks no longer accept cheques from anyone.
  • Travel insurance is highly recommended.  Ask your travel or insurance agent to go over coverage and deductibles.  Earthquakes in November of 2016 and the pandemic remind us of the relevance of this point. 
  • Late cancellations are a significant burden for any small business. This is especially true with fly-fishing travel companies.  In case of client cancellations, the deposit is forfeited unless the client finds a replacement angler.
  • Once a deposit is made, cancellations less than thirty days before the trip begins result in the client owing full payment unless the date can be filled.
  • In some cases, Wild Angler will honor deposits towards another trip within a calendar year.  I honoured deposits on COVID-related cancellations two years later.  
  • Late payments may incur reasonable billing, interest and collection fees as well as an Irish Tinker's curse.
  • Wild Angler reserves the right to update billings when the itinerary changes, ie, going from days with shorter to longer drives.
  • Wild Angler Fly Fishing has an excellent safety record, is fully insured, and is certified for emergency first aid.  However, we cannot be responsible for customers’ property. By placing a deposit, you agree to release us from all liability for loss or damage to your property, previous lifestyle or marriage. You also agree to release our staff from responsibility of personal injury resulting from the failure by you or your group to follow our advice.​
  • I offer a 5 percent discount for full payment upfront two months in advance.  Just mention it when paying.

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