New Zealand Fly Fishing Itineraries and Travel

New Zealand Fly Fishing Itineraries and Travel

The Choice of Fly

Every New Zealand fishing guide develops their own favorite fly selections, and these preferences can vary considerably.

While some anglers will visit New Zealand and bring their favorite patterns, it may be best sometimes to allow the guide (who has local knowledge and experience) to match the hatch. There’s certainly no one-size-fits-all approach and the best fly choice depends on several factors throughout the spring-summer-autumn season:

  • Weather and water conditions: These change constantly, so staying adaptable is key.
  • Entomology: What insects are hatching each month? Matching the fly pattern to the current bug buffet is crucial.

Generally, larger flies work better in high water conditions (like spring) and fast-moving water, while smaller flies are ideal for low water (around February) and still water. Most Americans will not fish still water in New Zealand. The lakes in Tasmania is perhaps best known for still water fly fishing in the Southern Hemisphere.

Here’s a list of suggested fly patterns by month as suggested by Tony Orman, just to give you a starting point. Remember, every guide will likely have their own unique recommendations based on their experience and favorite flies. Feel free to adjust this list based on the specific advice you get from your guide.

October

Nymphs:

  • Green stonefly: size 8
  • Hare and copper: sizes 8 and 10
  • Gold ribbed hares ear: sizes 10 and 12
  • Zug bug: sizes 10 and 12

Dry Flies:

  • Royal wulff: sizes 10 and 12
  • Humpy: sizes 10 and 12
  • Sedge (elk caddis or turkey sedge): size 12 (for dusk fishing)

Streamers:

  • Grey ghost: size 8 (for sea-run browns near estuaries)
  • Red shadow: size 6 (for dusk or after dark)
fishing nymph
Hare and Copper trout fly is New Zealand's best-known nymph and probably the most popular. It is a very simple fly pattern but is arguably the most productive fly in New Zealand. It certainly deserves a place in any anglers box.
fishing streamer
The Red Shadow streamer has been part of New Zealand fly fishing for many decades. It probably originated in the Canterbury region.
The Cicada trout fly is a great summer-time dry. There are many versions of it but it is a most effective fly to use when the cicadas are around (often the bush is filled with the noise of the cicadas indicating this is thetime to use these flies)
The twilight beauty can be very effective for earlier in the season.

November & December

To October’s selection add:

Nymphs: 

Pheasant tail size 10, 12, 14

Dry Flies:

  • Humpy (green for green beetle, brown for brown beetle) in sizes 12 and 14.
  • Coch-y-bondu in size 12 (useful beetle imitation).
  • Mayfly imitations: Adams, Quill Gordon, and Twilight Beauty (a New Zealand pattern) in sizes 12, 14, and preferably 16.
Mouse pattern used as a streamer across the water in mast years
The Pheasant Tail trout fly is one of the most popular nymphs for New Zealand waters. It is an important representation of a mayfly nymph, one of the most important foods for trout.

January & February & March​

Retain your existing fly selection, but consider adding some smaller options to cover various hatches and feeding behaviors:

  • Nymphs:

    • Hare and copper: sizes 12 and 14
    • Gold ribbed hares ear: size 14
    • Pheasant tail: size 16
    • Willow grub (New Zealand pattern): sizes 14 and 16 (imitates grubs falling off willow trees)
  • Dry Flies:

    • Hopper imitations (to imitate cicadas)
    • Sedge pattern: size 14
    • Muddler minnow: size 8 (can be used as a dry fly cicada imitation)
This basic sedge design will cover almost any fishing situation
Willow Grub—Late summer/Autumn A popular fly to fish on a dropper with a dry fly
fishing dry fly
The Humpy trout fly comes in a range of patterns and colours: green, peacock, red and yellow. It is a useful indicator fly in the larger sizes.

April

As the weather cools and brings a crispness to early mornings and evenings, consider making some slight adjustments to your fly selection:

  • Nymphs: While you can maintain your current selection, think about adding some slightly larger sizes (perhaps size 12) in hares ear and pheasant tail nymphs. These can be more effective in attracting fish during this time.

  • Dry Flies: Dry flies in sizes 10 and 12 with a touch of “attractor” color, like a red bodied humpy, remain a good choice this month.

The Hares Ear is designed with a small profile but to sink quickly.
Looks like another successful day courtesy of our friends @tongariro_lodge !

The 2025-26 season is just around the corner! Get in touch with our experts today and start planning your epic fly fishing adventure in New Zealand’s stunning landscapes.

Looks like another successful day courtesy of our friends @tongariro_lodge !

The 2025-26 season is just around the corner! Get in touch with our experts today and start planning your epic fly fishing adventure in New Zealand’s stunning landscapes.
...

New Zealand's rivers are world-class, and keeping them that way starts with how we fish them. From resting your beats to respecting fellow anglers on the water, ethical fly fishing practices protect the fishery for seasons to come.

Read our latest guide on New Zealand fly fishing etiquette via the link in our bio.

#newzealandflyfishing #flyfishingetiquette #protectnzrivers #nzflyfishing #bestofnzflyfishing

https://www.bestofnzflyfishing.com/uncategorized/fly-fishing-etiquette-rules-customs-and-river-ethics/

New Zealand`s rivers are world-class, and keeping them that way starts with how we fish them. From resting your beats to respecting fellow anglers on the water, ethical fly fishing practices protect the fishery for seasons to come.

Read our latest guide on New Zealand fly fishing etiquette via the link in our bio.

#newzealandflyfishing #flyfishingetiquette #protectnzrivers #nzflyfishing #bestofnzflyfishing

https://www.bestofnzflyfishing.com/uncategorized/fly-fishing-etiquette-rules-customs-and-river-ethics/
...

New Zealand is such an incredible place to chase trout, but also is home of to one of the prizes for saltwater fishing in New Zealand, the powerful Yellowtail Kingfish. Locally known as Kingi, these fish are robust, muscular and are known for fighting dirty. Once hooked they will immediately try to break you off by diving towards rocks, reefs or the prop on a boat. Beautiful catch for Stella! 

#fishbayofislands #luxurytravelnz #nzfishing #saltwaterfishing #bestofnzflyfishing

New Zealand is such an incredible place to chase trout, but also is home of to one of the prizes for saltwater fishing in New Zealand, the powerful Yellowtail Kingfish. Locally known as Kingi, these fish are robust, muscular and are known for fighting dirty. Once hooked they will immediately try to break you off by diving towards rocks, reefs or the prop on a boat. Beautiful catch for Stella!

#fishbayofislands #luxurytravelnz #nzfishing #saltwaterfishing #bestofnzflyfishing
...

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Terrace Downs is a resort on the South Island- a short drive out of Christchurch. Contact our experts for how to most efficiently integrate golf into your next trip to NZ! #southisland #newzealand #tourismnz #nzgolf #golfnz #nztravel #golf #golftravel ...

Local course Omaha beach is often overlooked simply due to time constraints of intl visitors. However this small beach town north of Auckland is a great place to have a round followed by fresh local cuisine and wine. #omahabeachgc #nzgolf #golfnz #newzealandgolf #tourismnz

Local course Omaha beach is often overlooked simply due to time constraints of intl visitors. However this small beach town north of Auckland is a great place to have a round followed by fresh local cuisine and wine. #omahabeachgc #nzgolf #golfnz #newzealandgolf #tourismnz ...