Fly Fish New Zealand – 7 days

AT A GLANCE  

 

  • One full week running Sunday to Sunday.
  • Small group sizes with 1:2 guide : client ratio.
  • Cottage accommodation > 150 metres from a world-class river with 10lb trout.
  • Numerous quality streams within a 30 minute drive.
  • A mix of home-cooked, local restaurant dinners and B.B.Q.’s.
  • A relaxed social experience each night with the guides and other participants.
  • Couples friendly. We have separate/private accommodation available for couples.
  • Bring a friend or let us find you a suitable fishing partner.
  • Only a three hour flight from all east coast capitals. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane.
  • Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing has been licensed to guide in Southland, New Zealand by the Department of Conservation since December, 2000.
  • Price =
    • $5,200 A.U.D. per person until June 30th, 2023. 
    • $5,500 A.U.D. per person after July 1st, 2023. 
  • Booking schedule is:
  • Payment Schedule
    • Deposit: 50% deposit due on booking
    • Balance: 50% balance due by November 1.

2024 DATES

We are offering ten weeks  in 2024. Taking bookings now.

WEEK  DATES SPOTS 
1 SUN 7 JAN – SUN 14 JAN ENQUIRE
GUIDES = CAM + CHAD + MITCH
2 SUN 14 JAN – SUN 21 JAN ENQUIRE
GUIDES = CAM + CHAD + MITCH
3 SUN 21 JAN – SUN 28 JAN ENQUIRE
GUIDES = CAM + LACHIE + MITCH
4 SUN 28 JAN – SUN 4 FEB ENQUIRE
GUIDES = CAM + LACHIE + MITCH
5 SUN 4 FEB – SUN 11 FEB  ENQUIRE
GUIDES = CAM + LACHIE + ANTHONY + MITCH
6 SUN 11 FEB – SUN 18 FEB ENQUIRE
GUIDES = CAM + LACHIE + ANTHONY + MITCH
7 SUN 18 FEB – SUN 25 FEB  ENQUIRE
GUIDES =  LACHIE + ANTHONY + MITCH
8 SUN 25 FEB – SUN 3 MAR  ENQUIRE
GUIDES =  LACHIE + ANTHONY + MITCH
9 SUN 3 MAR – SUN 10 MAR ENQUIRE
GUIDES =  LACHIE + ANTHONY + MITCH
10 SUN 10 MAR – SUN 17 MAR ENQUIRE
GUIDES =  LACHIE + ANTHONY + MITCH

TRIP OVERVIEW

This is far and away our most popular trip and represents tremendous value.

The package includes seven nights of accommodation, six days of guided fly fishing, all transport, accommodation, meals, and flies. Not included are fishing licences, alcohol, incidental purchases, and flights.

We have an experienced team of guides, many of whom have been with us for more than twenty-five years. All our staff can instruct and assist guests to improve their skills and get the most from their trip.

The trip itinerary has been refined over more than twenty years, with a focus on the fishing and quality of experience rather than being back in a lodge by 5pm for pre-dinner drinks. The accommodation is situated in the geographical centre of the region, minimising the amount of time spent driving and maximising the time spent on the water. Surprisingly, the cottage has itself become a drawcard. It’s basic but perfect for a trip such as this. It doesn’t hurt that it’s located only 150 metre walk to the river where fish average 4 – 5lb.

This trip is incredibly social, with the guides staying on the same property as the guests and having dinner together each night. Our guides will not only point out the fish, but they’ll work to help you improve your skills and knowledge over the seven days.

Perhaps the biggest testament to these trips comes in the form of the rebooking rate. One group have been coming every year since 2000, and many others have done more than fifteen consecutive trips.

Check our reviews on TripAdvisor for client insights on why they book this trip year on year.


LOCATION

Our base of operations is located in the stunning Aparima River valley, at the geographical centre of the Southland region. This wide flat valley, flanked by low mountains and back-dropped by jagged peaks off to the west, is the perfect base for fly fishers looking to target the wild trout of the Southland region of New Zealand.

With more than 40 clear flowing rivers within a 75 minute drive, and a river with trophy trout running through the property, our location minimises the amount of driving each day, leaving more time for stalking the trophy trout of Southland.

Fishing to sighted fish is the name of the game.

 

ACCOMMODATION

There are several accommodation options on the property, but most of our groups stay in the cottage.

It has three twin-share bedrooms, a bathroom, lounge area, kitchen, and outdoor deck for BBQs in summer, and caters for groups of four to six anglers. Each bedroom has two comfortable single beds, set up in a twin-share arrangement.
The amenities are clean and comfortable but not upmarket. Think three stars but in a peaceful rural setting, only 150 metres from a beautiful trout stream.

There is also a single room, aka loft adjacent to the main homestead near the guide’s quarters. This is suitable for couples and only available on request and subject to availability. This extra space means that couples can have their own private trip while others in the group stay in the shared cottage. It also allows us to cater to slightly larger groups.

We regularly host people from all walks of life (from students to C.E.O.’s to retirees) and the accommodation is most often described as perfect for a fishing trip. It’s quiet and cosy, as well as remote. It also has an incredible river full of large brown trout flowing right by it.

 


MEALS

Most weeks we have two BBQ nights on the deck of the farmhouse where guests stay. Weather permitting. Typically, this is one night during the week and also the last night before the trip ends. At other times we eat out at local restaurants. Sometimes this can be up to an hour away from the farmhouse, when for example we choose stay out to fish the evening rise at a distant river. At other times it will be much closer to home (a 10-minute drive).

Breakfasts are self-catered with all the staples provided. Muesli. Cereals. Eggs. Bacon. Toast. Fruit. Yogurt. Milk.

Lunches are a mixture of fruit and sweets from home coupled with healthy sandwiches/wraps prepared by the local café allowing guests to choose what they would like each day. Drinking water is provided. To reduce our use of plastic we recommend that participants bring a water bottle and/or Camelbak that can be refilled each day.

THE FISHING

The Southland region of New Zealand is home to dozens of World-Class trout streams. While the Mataura and Oreti need no introduction, it is the many other streams of the region, some nameless, others just overlooked, that provide us with the consistent dry fly sight fishing for large, brown trout that the Southland region is famous for.

The average fish size is a solid 3 – 4 lb with many in the 7 – 8lb range, and a sprinkling in the mythical 10+ class. Unlike many other parts of the trout world, these large fish will eat dry flies at any time of the day, and we have developed a number of patterns and techniques that allow us to fish dry flies a whopping 90% of the time.

Fly fishing in New Zealand can be demanding because casts must be reasonably accurate; not only to ensure a good general presentation, but also to avoid being seen by the fish in the clear water. The good news is that while casts must be accurate, they need not be long. With careful, patient stalking, most fish can be approached to within a comfortable casting distance.

There are rivers where the fish are of a smaller average size e.g. 2 – 4 lb, but the numbers of fish are greater. Conversely, there are rivers where the fish are much larger, but there are less of them. As a general rule, the rivers with fewer but larger fish are the more open/windswept ones. The rivers with more numerous fish are generally smaller and more sheltered. Where to fish each day is balancing act between the wishes of the anglers as well as the conditions. We have options to cope with nearly every weather situation we may encounter.

The fishing itself is mostly with dry flies to either sighted or rising fish. But at times of little or no visible feeding activity, we may need to blind fish with dry flies and sometimes nymphs. On the larger open rivers its more about large attractor patterns and cicadas. The smaller rivers require more care and longer leaders, finer tippets, and small imitative flies.

On the fitness side, yes, it’s true there are many rivers that require long walks, some over rough ground or big rocks. But for every one of those rivers, there is another that is easily waded with a bed of fine, hard-packed gravel. There are spring creeks, freestone rivers and tailwaters. It all comes down to what sort of water you prefer to fish each day.

We can chase trophy fish on the open windswept rivers of the main valley floor or stalk a smaller stream where 3 – 4 lb fish are eating willow grubs at very close range. There are even a handful of lakes that ensure that we have fishable water even after big rain events.

Each day our guides will work with you to choose a fishing location based on your preferences, abilities, and the weather. Our advice is to try and bring a friend with you so that we can tailor the trip to your specific needs.

Most rivers have fish averaging 3-5lb. Others have fewer, but bigger fish in the 7-8lb class.


GUIDE : CLIENT RATIO

All of our trips are based on a guide:client ratio of 1:2. In other words there is a guide for every two fly fishers. Most weeks run as four anglers with two guides, but we can cater to single anglers for 1:1 trips and larger groups of six. No matter the number of people in the week you book, we never go beyond the 1:2 ratio that ensures that you get lots of quality time with a guide at your shoulder, and plenty of shots at sighted fish.

Our guides also teach fly fishing all year around. They are patient and capable instructors who can help to improve your skills each day, not just find fish for you to cast at.

The average size of fish caught is a respectable 3-5lb!

AGE, EXPERIENCE AND FITNESS

These trips are suitable for fly fishers of any age, experience or fitness level. We simply adjust the pace of the trip to suit the needs of each group.

Bring a friend and you don’t have to battle the wind or walk over rough ground nursing an old knee injury. We have plenty of sheltered rivers that offer a more relaxed experience and a slower pace. We regularly host groups of more mature fly fishers, and we can put together a fabulous week of fishing that isn’t too physically demanding.

Conversely, for those of you wishing to pack in as much fishing as possible during your one week in New Zealand, our guides are all fit and hard-working; able to sustain any pace day after day.

If you’re in any doubt about your abilities to join us on this trip, you should know that we have built our business on preparing people for their New Zealand adventure, and we can assist you with your casting and general fly fishing skills before you fly out for your adventure. We run two free orientation days in the lead up to each trip. One in September and another in November. Prospective clients are also welcome to attend. Further to this we are available for private tution on any day of the year.

 

There are many rivers that offer easy wading over a fine gravel bed.

BRING A FRIEND OR BOOK A GROUP

Without a doubt, the best way to do this trip is with a friend or family member. Having someone you know to share the experience with makes it all the more enjoyable, and ensures for the best possible match in a fishing partner.

While we can tailor the pace of the trip to suit everyone, the key to getting the best possible match in a fishing partner is to book as a pair or as part of a group.

We will do our best to find a good match for those booking as a single angler, but we advise anyone looking to go extremely slow/hard to book with a friend.

Please let us know if you are interested in more than one spot when you enquire so that we can discuss the options. Book out an entire trip (four or six spots) with a new group and receive a booking bonus.

 


OUR QUALIFICATIONS

Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing is licensed to guide in New Zealand by the Department of Conservation Southland. We have held this qualification since December, 2000.

We are also members of the Professional Fishing Instructors and Guides Association of Australia (PFIGA);  we are licensed and insured, hold First Aid, Swiftwater Rescue and Working with Children certification.

Each of our guides works 250+ days per year.  We are full-time professionals who teach and guide fly fishing on a daily basis. We even lead trips to Montana in our off-season.

We feel that choosing full-time professional guides that are on the water every day, is perhaps the most important factor to consider when comparing operations. Our longevity and the high re-booking rate demonstrates the professionalism of our team.

See our TripAdvior or Google reviews for an independent take on what we do.

 

BOOKING – PAYMENTS – CANCELLATION

BOOKING SCHEDULE

  • Our booking schedule for 2024 is:
    • FEB1, 2023        First option to returning clients 
    • APR 1, 2023      Bookings open to everyone.
    • NOV 1, 2023     Trip balances due.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

  • A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking. Payments can be made by credit card or EFT / bank wire transfer.
  • The 50% balance is due no later than November 1st. 
  • A valid credit card is also required at the time of booking, regardless of the chosen method of payment.

CANCELLATION POLICY

  • In the event of your cancellation:
    • We will attempt to rebook the spots by advertising them on our website, via email and through social media. We will do this right up until the day that your trip is scheduled to begin. We can only rebook a cancelled spot when all other spots on the trip have been filled.
    • If we are able to rebook the spot in this way, a full refund will be given.
    • If we are unable to rebook the spot, no refund can be given.
    • We strongly urge you to take out an appropriate level of travel insurance for your NZ trip before you book, so that you are covered in the unlikely event that you need to cancel.

    Cancellations are only refundable if we can find a suitable replacement, which can only happen once the rest of the spots in your week are completely booked.

    COVID POLICY (NEW ZEALAND TRIPS)

    If COVID prevents these trips from running, your payment can be put toward a future NZ trip to be taken within the next two years.

    Payment of a deposit is acknowledgment that trip participants have read, understood and accepted our Booking and Cancellation Policy as outlined above.

    PLEASE NOTE – No refunds are available for unused portions of any package. All rates are subject to change without notice.


Our Cancellation Policy can be viewed here.

If you would like more information about these trips, please fill in the Expression of Interest form below and we will get in touch that same day. Alternatively, you may phone us on any of the numbers below.

A detailed pre-trip packet describing all aspects of the trips is available and can be
emailed to you upon request.

If you wish to speak with us, please use the contact details below.

If calling from Australia

Landline – 03 5773 2513
Mobile – 0418 995 611

If calling from the U.S.A.

Landline – 011 61 3 5773 2513
Mobile – 011 61 418 995 611

We thank you for taking the time to read about our New Zealand trips and we hope to fish with you soon.

 

REVIEWS ON TRIP ADVISOR