The Trip: We at Trek have designed a nine day, eight night trip with six days of fishing in some of the worlds best trout waters. The trip originates in Auckland on New Zealand’s North Island where you will connect with your flight to Taupo for transfer on to the Tongariro Lodge. The first day is free to get acclimated and rest up from the long trip down. The next three days will be full fishing days with overnights at Tongariro Lodge. Day five will be spent traveling to Taupo for your flight to the South Island town of Wellington and then on to Christchurch where you will be met and be transferred to the famous Riverview Lodge, the remainder of today at leisure. The following three days will be full days of fishing with overnights at the lodge. On the final morning, you will be transferred to Christchurch for your flight home.

Accommodations: On the North Island, we will be staying at the well known Tongariro Lodge, a short distance from Lake Taupo, near the shores of the Tongariro River, waters initially made famous by Zane Gray and fished by Presidents, Royalty and celebrities alike since that time. On South Island, The Riverview Lodge is located at the junction of the Waiau, Percival and Hanmer Rivers, offering five in-suite bedrooms where guests reside in comfort with spectacular mountain views looking across the valley. The Lodge is located approximately 1-3/4 hours north of Christchurch and five mile’s from the quaint Alpine Spa Township of Hanmer Springs. The lodge owners, John and Robin Gemmell, have operated the Lodge for bird hunting and fly fishing now for nearly 30 years. The Lodge has an experienced European trained chef whose specialties range from wild game to pastries with a focus on local New Zealand cuisine.

 

The Fishing & guides: On the North Island, wild rainbow and brown trout have thrived better in the Lake Taupo system than anywhere else in this country. Many trophy trout over 10lbs are landed by Tongariro Lodge guests each year, with an overall average of over 4 lbs. The Tongariro River is the most famous fly fishing river in New Zealand. Every year over 50 thousand prime conditioned trout migrate up this river from Lake Taupo, providing truly amazing year-round fly fishing opportunity. Riverview Lodge on the South Island boasts to have guided clients to some of the largest Brown Trout in New Zealand with the fish average being 5 pounds, but every season some double figured fish are caught. The lodge employs 4-5 experienced guides, all of whom have excellent knowledge of the local rivers. Traveling by vehicle, or helicopter, ensures an exciting day in beautiful remote scenery, and every opportunity to outwit the smart New Zealand Brown Trout. The fly fishing guides are experienced, knowledgeable and professional. All have a lifetime of local knowledge, and are enthusiastic and passionate about the local environment and conservation of their majestic, wild brown trout. Whether its basic casting instruction, or refined fly presentation techniques, the guides enjoy sharing their knowledge of all aspects of fly fishing with all anglers, from complete beginners to seasoned veterans! With access to nearly 20 rivers, as well as a special concession river, you will truly experience this magnificent region.