Fly Fishing with Hamill Guiding
No mater what your experience level, Hamill guiding has the expertise to provide you with a personalised fly fishing adventure on the spectacular lakes, rivers and streams in the Rotorua and Taupo regions. We can organise anything you can think of; ranging from half a day on a local stream, to multi-day helicopter adventures in the New Zealand wilderness.
The following are our base packages, however bare in mind that these are just a guide and vary depending on factors such as the time of year. So please contact us as we would love to build a custom package to suit your requirements.
Local
Streams & Lakes
- Time: 1/2 Day (8am-1pm or 2pm-7pm)
- Area: Lake edges, stream mouths and streams within 20 minutes drive of Rotorua
- Experience: No experience necessary.
- Description: For those with time limitations this will give a tasty introduction to what fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout in New Zealand is like. Once you experience this world class fishery, you'll be hooked for life.
- Price: NZ$495 for 1-2 Fishermen
- Includes: Licences and required equipment.
Local
Rivers & Streams
- Time: Full Day
- Area: Rivers and Streams within about a one hour drive of Rotorua
- Experience: We cater for your level.
- Description: Explore some of the many local rivers with plentiful stocks of rainbow and brown trout. You're guide has grown up fishing these rivers and will take you to the best river for the day.
- Price: NZ$875 for 1-2 Fishermen
- Includes: Licences, lunches and light refreshments.
Backcountry
Fly Fishing
- Time: Full Day
- Area: New Zealand's Central North Island
- Experience: We recommend some fly casting experience.
- Description: Your guide will drive you to the Helicopter port before you're flown directly to the best fishing spot. Be enchanted by the spectacular scenery of the New Zealand wilderness while you fish in a world class river with receiving angler pressure.
- Price: NZ$2,200 for 1-2 Fishermen
- Includes: Includes licences, all equipment, lunches and light refreshments.
Heli-Fishing
Special
- Time: Full Day
- Area: New Zealand's Central North Island
- Experience: We recommend some small river experience.
- Description: Fly direct from Rotorua city to the backcountry fishing spots. However, in this package the helicopter stays with you, meaning if the fishing is slower than expected you have the option of moving. As an added bonus you can enjoy some of Rotorua's great scenery on your way to and from the fishing spots.
- Price: Approx. NZ$3,300 for 1-2 Fishermen, depends on areas fished.
- Includes: A sumptuous lunch, licences, all equipment and light refreshments.
Custom
Adventures
- Time: Half day to Weeks at a time
- Area: Anywhere in New Zealand
- Description: Let us customize a package to suit your wants and desires. Whether it be a multi day heli-fishing trip or an afternoon teaching the kids to fly fish, we have the expertise and resources to make your dream a reality
- Price: Contact us with your desires
- Includes: All equipment, food, accommodation, transportation and licenses you require.
Equipment
We can supply all the fishing equipment you require. But as a rough guide you should also be prepared with the following:
- Clothing for both warm and cool conditions (New Zealand's weather is unpredictable)
- Wet weather gear.
- Polaroid sunglasses.
- Cap or wide brim Hat.
- Sunscreen lotion.
- Insect repellent.
- Wading sticks (optional).
- All clothing should be dull or neutral coloured.
Fishing Tackle
Although you are most welcome to bring your lucky rod or your own secret flies, Hamill Guiding is equipped with the latest fishing tackle and will supply the fly to match the hatch.
Dry Flies:
Adams Parachute 12 – 18, CDC Emerger 14 – 16, Dad's Favourite 12 – 16, Black Gnat 12 – 16, Blow Fly 12 – 14, Cicada / Hoppers 8 – 10, Humpy's Selection 10 – 14, Kakahi Queen 12 – 14, Royal Wolf 8 – 16, Stimulators yellow, green and orange.
Nymphs:
Stoneflies 10 – 12, Hare and Copper 10 – 16, Hares Ear 10 – 16, Pheasant Tail 10 – 16.
Bead head Nymphs:
Hare and Copper 10 – 16, Pheasant Tail 10 – 16
Streamers:
Wooly Bugger Black, Green and Brown 8 – 10, Parsons Glory 6 – 10, Grey Ghost 6 – 10, Hamill Killer red or yellow body 6 – 10.
Wading boots / Waders:
Wading boots and lightweight breathable wader combination are preferred for the early season and cooler day's. As of the 1st October 2008 Fish and Game have banned felt soles, we can only hope they have plans to control jet boaters, kayakers, bird life and animals with the spread of Didymo, a little to late as most of the damage has been done since 2005. Rubber or studded rubber is now the only alternative on the market today. Simms® have some great products to satisfy most anglers.
‘Kiwi style’ wet wading during the summer months is the most comfortable way of going fishing, wearing a pair of shorts, neoprene wading socks with wading boots and long thermal underwear or lightweight long pants to protect legs from scratches, sun and insects.
Fly Lines:
A dull neutral coloured floating fly line. Olive, grey, white or clear. The alternative is fishing with the ultra long leaders we all love! Nothing is perfect as ALL lines cast shadows and since generally our waters are gin clear anything that disguises your line to the trout is an advantage.
Leaders and Tippets:
Fluorocarbon or Nylon fishing line; It’s up to you. Longer leaders are recommended in heavier tests, 10 – 12 feet in 7 – 10lb test to which you add your tippet material so the total length can be 15 to 18ft. Tippet in the 4 – 8lbs test covers most situations. Again in clear waters, long leaders means that any advantage you can get can make the difference.
Fly Rods:
A 5 or 6 weight fly rod is recommended as a general fly rod for fishing our local conditions. 7 or 8 weight for the lakes and larger rivers.
Fly Reels:
Bring reels with a good drag system and plenty of backing, at least 50 yards. We find large abor reels are best for this with room for enough backing and also ensure a good retrieval speed. There's nothing worse than to see your fly line disappearing off your reel knowing that there's not much left as a big fish heads off down stream....
Safety:
As we are often in remote areas for extended times we take safety seriously. An EPIRB is carried on all backcountry trips. Your guide is trained in first aid and a medical kit is always on hand.
There are always many factors that can influence your success on any given day so I suggest a stay of at least 3 days and if the weather should disrupt your plans and from Rotorua there is never a shortage of places and sights to take your mind off home and work.