Fishing in New Zealand with Roxtons

The New Zealand landscapes are famous to almost every film goer in the world, brought alive by the magical "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and it is easy to see why such stunning scenery was chosen to represent a mythical world of primordial mountains and jagged peaks.

However, it was not by some sleight of camera that the backdrops were so stunning, this is the true scenery that is New Zealand, where adventures can be found at every crest, peak and turn in the path.

We are working in close partnership with Rob Young, a ground operator with many years of experience in offering tailor made packages to the discerning traveller.

Every aspect of your holiday is bespoke to meet your standards and requirements and with such a wide choice available in each province and island, an absolute commitment to the excellence of your trip is assured. As an add-on to a fully fledged fishing trip at one of our lodges or as a stand alone holiday of a lifetime, we are here to help.

South Island is considered the spiritual centre for adventure travellers, old and young. From the self styled adrenaline capital of the world, Queenstown, which hosts the worlds largest bungee jump to the more serene and gloriously golden beaches of the Abel Tasman National Park in the north, the island has all on offer. Swim with dolphins in warm waters, walk deserted beaches where the only footprints are yours, hike into hobbit country with soaring peaks, flat bottomed valleys and lakes boiling with trout, or charter a fully crewed yacht and sail into inlets inaccessible from land to dine on fresh crayfish caught by the crew.

On North Island the crystal waters of Lake Taupo are renowned amongst the angling world and will be known but perhaps not experienced by all who read this brochure. Yet there is more beneath the fishing façade on this island. A region rich in geothermal activity, there are plenty of places to bathe in a pool warmed by the earth's core and rich in restorative minerals. Health spas can be found in some areas to take advantage of this rich vein. In such a strange volcanic landscape it might be difficult to imagine another activity but heli-skiing is widely available on the glaciers and snow capped peaks with superb sport to out do the best in Europe. In the south around Wellington the climate offers beautiful gardens and native forests to refresh the soul whilst the north and Auckland is the place to go for all things maritime. Aptly named the "City of Sails", there are waterfront restaurants gracing the harbour, islands to explore and remote seaside lodges in which to stay.

We will arrange the minutiae of every aspect of your trip according to your specific parameters, from five star service throughout your visit with private air charters and chauffeurs to comfortable, rustic cabins and adventures in a hire car. We can create a flexible itinerary to ensure that New Zealand yields the trip of a lifetime. It is a country of extraordinary depth; come and realise its remarkable potential.

Because of the nature of this trip the accommodation is based upon your own requirements. From top of the range lodges to hotels to family homes by the river.

Rod and Reel
The ideal rod for your trip to New Zealand would be a 9ft 5 or 6 weight rod to cover the various fishing available. Teamed up with a good quality reel with a smooth and reliable drag and capable of holding 100 - 150 yards of 20lb backing. You should ensure that you have a spare reel and spool in case of accidents. Ideally a spare rod would be useful too.

Lines
Weight forward or double taper dull coloured floating lines are recommended as the reflection of line during sunny conditions can easily spook the wild trout in New Zealand. Avoiding bright colours such as yellows, blues and greens would be an advantage. Take an extra fly line just in case the first suffers damage.

Leader / Nylon
Leaders should be 9 to 15ft tapered nylon with tippet between 4.75 & 8.5lbs. Ensure that you have plenty with you. We recommend that you buy standard tapered leaders and add tippet to the end using a standard double blood not to make up the length.

Flies
We recommend that you take your own though many of the flies that you use will be available from your guide and we suggest that you take your own boxes and actually buy flies from the lodge or a fishing shop with your guide in New Zealand.

Though most guest like to take fish on the top with dry flies we recommend that you also take a few nymphs. A sample fly box for New Zealand would consist of:

Dry Flies

• A variety of Adams patterns.
• Elk hair Caddis patterns
• Humpies
• March Browns
• Black Gnats
• CDC emergers
• Red Wulff
• Royal Wulff

Nymphs

• Pheasant tail
• Hares ear
• Weighted flashbacks
• Czeck nymphs
• Weighted Hares Ear and copper
•  
• Other items
• Waders
• Wading stick
• Layered clothing because of changeable weather
• Wader repair kit
• Polarized sunglasses
• Forceps / clippers
• Hand and face moisturizer

As this is a tailor made trip, we can try and accommodate any of the many activities that this amazing country has to offer, from high adrenalin sports such as Zorbing (rolling down a mountian in a giant clear ball) to more genteel pastimes like painting.

Season
Summer fishing, October - April
Winter fishing, May - September

Time Difference From GMT
+12 hours

Electricity
Throughout New Zealand the electricity is 230/240 volts. Most hotels and some lodges provide 110 Volt sockets for electric shavers. In other cases it will be necessary to take the special adaptor, flat three (grounded) or two pin plugs.

Currency
The official currency is the New Zealand Dollar NZD$

Tips
Guide & Housekeeping staff, tips. We recommend a tip of NZD $100 per guide per day divided between the one or two anglers fishing with that guide. We suggest you leave a tip based on a daily rate of NZD $50 for each night at the lodge.

Visa Requirements
British passport holders can enter New Zealand as a visitor for up to 6 months on arrival without a visa, provided they can satisfy an Immigration Officer that they meet the requirements of the rules. Visitors must have an onward ticket.

Medical Requirements
There are no required inoculations for travel to New Zealand, though you are advised to check with your doctor prior to departure regarding any vaccinations that may be recommended. If you are taking prescription medicines please ensure that you bring enough for the duration of your stay.

Insects
There are no major problems with insects on either island.