South Island: 7 Day Fly Fishing Adventures 2013

Trips Dates for Summer 2013

Please read the information below to get an idea of our NZ Trips. These trips are extremely popular and book out well in advance each year; their popularity growing as word of mouth spreads.

These are the best NZ fly fishing trips available bar none. Seven days away, fully guided by the Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing Centre team, running Saturday to Saturday. The allinclusive price includes home cooked meals,accommodation, fishing licence plus all permits, transportation and guiding. The only thing not included in the price is fights and we can also help you to organise those if necessary.

We are the only Australian Guides licensed to guide in New Zealand by New Zealand's Department of Conservation. We are also members of the Professional Fishing Instructorsand Guides Association (PFIGA). This year's trips booked out very quickly with 80% of clients returning. So getting in quick will be essential.

The Itinerary 

These trips are scheduled for November, December, January, February and March each year. Trips start and end on a Saturday in Queenstown with many participants leaving Australia on an early Saturday morning flight and then returning on an afternoon flight a week later. Clients are met at the airport by the guides and are then driven a scenic ninety minutes south to our 'base of operations' for six full days of fly fishing. Six and a bit days if you include the afternoon/evening rise that first night!

The accommodation is comfortable and cozy but not upmarket, perfect for a group of keen fly fishers who only come home to eat, sleep and recharge the batteries! The house is located on a working deer farm with the famous Aparima River running through the middle of it. From this base we have access to nearly twenty waters in the immediate area and many more within a 60 minute drive. You can even walk out the back door and fish to 3-5lb browns if you choose!

Most important of all, the fishing is simply world class. Participants this season (2011) caught fish up to 5lb in weight, with the average a solid 3-4lbs. Most of the rivers contain good numbers of wild brown trout with daytime sight fishing the norm. Hatches can occur at any time of day although evenings on those mild, pleasant nights are a real treat.

During the day most fish will be found swinging to and fro in the current taking every nymph drifting downstream. Although an accurate nymph representation will take many fish, a well presented dry will do just as well. Fishing large terrestrials is a highlight of fly fishing in the region from January through to mid-March. By far the majority of fish caught with dry flies. Glancing through our diaries it would be about 90% taken on dries.

We will fish a number of rivers during your trip. From the large, braided, flood-prone rivers of the valley floors to the smaller tributaries that cut their way through the rich farmland of the region. The opportunity to fish and experience a wide variety of waters will arise. The options are many and varied, allowing us to pick and choose what we want to do each day depending on the weather and our/your preferences.

The Pace

Our trips are for all fly fishers, regardless of age or skill level. We do our best to match you with someone we feel has similar expectations, fitness levels and skills. If the pace is too great we can tone it down. Conversely, if you have a need to maximise that one week of fly fishing for the year or you are just an angling 'glutton', we can ensure the maximum amount of time streamside. Don’t be put off simply because you feel that you would not cope.

Phone us for a chat. We can help to improve your skill levels dramatically before you leave should you need a little polish or make sure that you go with someone of similar expectations, skills and fitness. What's more you can bring a friend or three and ensure the trip is as memorable as possible.

Seven days starting and ending at Queenstown Airport on a Saturday. Includes transport, accommodation, meals, fishing licence's, guiding. The only thing not included is alcohol, incidentals and flights. We recommend utilising Air New Zealand's direct flights into Queenstown as the most economical and direct way of getting there if you are simply doing the one week trip. Manyprefer to arrive earlier and drive down from Christchurch, taking some time to take in the wonderful views of the Alps and the great fishing of the Canterbury region. Others use frequent flyer points to get to NZ and then catch internal connecting flights to Queenstown. Many choose to tour with their partner in the lead up to the trip or at the tail end. Rest assured, no matter how complicated your diary and limited your time, we can find a way to get you there.

Bring a Friend

All trips are based on a guide ratio of 2:1. That is for every two fly fishers there is a guide. This ensures lots of quality time with an expert at your shoulder, but nothing is better than sharing the experience with a good friend or fishing mate. Many of our regulars come back every year, either in pairs or in small groups. This year, we again have several parties of four and two groups of six that have rebooked. Some have been coming with us for eight years now. Please let us know when inquiring if you are interested in more than one spot.

Summer 2009 Trip Photos

We have uploaded a selection of photos from last year for you to take a look at. These pics will give you a great idea of the sort of fishing done and the sort of places that we visit. There are photos from previous years at the bottom of this page but the most recent ones can be accessed by clicking here.

Client's quotes from Summer 2010 Trips to date

Guys the trip was just fantastic as always, well run, good value great fun, & the guys worked exceptionally hard under difficult weather conditions to ensure we got on to fish and had great success.

Once again the NZ trip and my more general experience in dealing with GVFFC just reaffirms you as the most knowledgeable & the "premier" flyfishing guides and service providers in Australia and NZ.

Once again absolutely the best trip, I had a great week. The NZ trip once again was a credit to your professional approach & business.

Chad S

• FIRST ROUND OFFER: Those that went with us to NZ in 2012 will be given first choice of the available dates for 2013 trips in mid-March 2012
  
  
• SECOND ROUND OFFER: Those that have been with us to NZ in previous years and those that send in an expression of interest (see below) will be offered the spots not taken up in FIRST ROUND OFFERS on April 1, 2012 .
  
  
• On April 11th any remaining spots will be advertised via the website, emails, online forums and print advertising.
  
  
• All bookings require a $1000 deposit made by credit card, cheque, direct deposit or cash. A valid credit card must also be provided to finalise the booking regardless of which method is used to pay the deposit. The balance is due no later than December 1st, 2012.
  
  
• Our cancellation policy can be viewed here.

Trips Dates for Summer 2013

Need More Info?

A comprehensive brochure and promotional DVD is available for those needing more info. You can receive this by filling out our brochure request form located here. After receiving your request we will send you all the relevant info by mail ASAP. You will also receive our NZ brochure via email immediately.