Our Attention to Fishing and Non-Fishing Guests
Lake Rotoroa Lodge, surrounded by some of the South Island's finest rivers, is always a great destination
to test your angling skills or relax and enjoy the many non-fishing activities available. Many of our
guests with non-fishing partners feel comfortable knowing that their partner has as much to do as they
have.
No Need to Travel with Equipment We recognize that increasingly our guests
would prefer not to drag their fishing gear around with them for a three-week trip for the sake of one week's fishing.
We have responded by buying equipment to lend to our guests. We have men's and women's waders (real women's - not small
men's sizes) and wading boots of all shapes and sizes, and they are clean and in very good condition. We have ver 40 rods
in-house ranging from 3 to 6 weights in brands such as Thomas & Thomas, Sage and Hardy. We have two-piece to six-piece
rods that will fit in the guide's pack. In summary, with the exception of a rain jacket, we have everything that any of our
guests could want up to size 15 boots!
Our Professional Guides
There are so many reasons why a guide is vital anywhere in the world but in New Zealand the need is even more acute.
We are proud of our guide crew. All of them have the imperative skills of very keen eyes and great knowledge of their local
rivers from how the trout behave to the entomology required as the season progresses - these skills are a vital qualification
for them to work at Lake Rotoroa Lodge. We also believe that teamwork is critical to success on the river. Our guides
understand that not everyone has the same fishing skills or wants to walk at a fast pace. They are skilled not only at
teaching but at tailoring each individual day to suit the many and varied requirements of our guests. Many of our guests
just enjoy time on the water with a local New Zealander - learning about the country is as much fun as catching the next
fish. All these factors we believe contribute to a great guide and we have 100% confidence that a day on the water with a
Lake Rotoroa Lodge guide will not just be a fishing experience.
Most Importantly... Our Location
Lake Rotoroa Lodge is renowned as lying in the heart of South Island fishing country, which gives us access to more fishing
than any other lodge in New Zealand. We have more than 22 rivers to choose from by car on a normal weather day and more by
helicopter. This is one of our great strengths. It allows us to rest our waters, offer a great mix of fishing experiences
from the more productive waters to the more challenging for the fish of a lifetime. With our numerous rivers and diverse
locations, fishing options in inclement weather are greatly improved. We cannot promise that you will have perfect fishing
every day, but we believe that we are a great deal more weather-proof than many other areas.
A Typical Experience
All of the fishing around Lake Rotoroa Lodge is tackled by spotting fish with your guide and casting a nymph or dry fly
upstream. The drive to the river of the day might be as short as ten minutes or up to an hour and a quarter, but always
through the most breathtaking of scenery. Your guide will likely first hide his bicycle back in the bushes where you will
end your day, and will drive you to where he plans to start. The bicycle removes the need for our guests to make the long
walk back to the car; instead, the guide will hop on his bike, pedal back to the car and pick you up.
Often the guide will invite you to try the dry fly, before going to the nymphs, if the fish is well "up" in the water
and active. Dry flies used will be larger attractor patterns in the early season but reduce in size as the season goes on.
Nymphs used also depend on the depth and speed of the water, but with new weighted systems the guides can now get a tiny
nymph very deep in fast water without their guests feeling like there is a stone on the end of the rod.
Everyone has different spotting abilities. Guests like to see if they can spot the fish with or even before the guide and
it is a great opportunity to train the eye. Different rivers in our area have different coloured bottoms and therefore in
each river the fisherman must learn what hint of colour one is looking for. In some rivers it is green, in others yellow
and in others very light or even dark brown. Once you get on to the colour you are spotting so it becomes that little bit
easier. However, just as you think you are getting the better of your guide they will produce a fish, which will amaze you
and only increase your respect for your team mate.
When fishing as a pair with a guide, fishermen will take it in turns to work a fish. For the other fisherman, this is often
an opportunity to rest, have a drink, take photographs or simply watch without the pressure to perform! Sometimes a fish
will be taken first cast while others will take an hour or more - the latter are often the most entertaining. The catch
expectancy in New Zealand is generally about three to four fish per day (it can be as high as twenty or more from time to
time) between one or two rods, but this number does not represent the amount of fish sighted, opportunities or the amount
of time spent working fish.
When a fish is sighted your guide will explain where it is and help you see it - or at least help you think you see it.
More often than not when the fish takes it does not turn out to be the rock you thought was the fish! Your guide will discuss
with you how he sees the situation and the tactics best used. Consideration will be taken of the depth at which the fish is lying,
how much it is moving, if it is surfacing or not, where the feed lanes seem to be, if the fish is moving only right or left to
feed etc. A "best place" to stand will be selected for you, but this may not be based on the best sight of the fish, but more the
best angle to present the fly to the fish to make sure it ends up in the feed lane. Another vital point to remember: if you
misplace a cast (which you will inevitably do, if the wind doesn't do it for you), do not lift the line off the water until it has
all dropped back well behind the fish, otherwise the chances of spooking the fish will be greatly enhanced.
You should discuss with your guide how fast you will need to strip the line back in to keep pace with the water, and how he
will tell you if he sees the fish take as he is likely to see the action before the indicator stops (if one is being used).
Often when you are not sure if the fish will come to a nymph or the dry, you will use both - the dry first with a small nymph
on a dropper up to two feet long. A big brownie gulping your wool indicator is often all the encouragement one needs to adopt
this method!
Once the fish is hooked be prepared to follow it down the river. Often our brownies are hooked at the heads of pools in very
fast water and the first thing that they will do is rush down into the main part of the pool. There are often a great many
boulders strewn throughout the pool and one needs to keep the rod high to ensure not being broken, which can happen all too
often especially to the big ones. These fish take a great deal of landing, and even when they seem to be ready to be netted
they will continuously run away from the guide's net before finally giving up. The guide will weigh the fish for you and help
you to photograph it, but he will always have the well-being of the fish in mind, and everyone needs to be swift in what they
are doing in order to return it to the water.
Fishing days in New Zealand usually begin and end at the same time every day: what the guide seeks is light and therefore
guests will usually come off the water between five and six depending on the light and location (if you are in a canyon the
light is lost earlier), and then return home to the lodge where the bar and a drink with your guide await you. If you would
like to do a night camping out, this can be arranged for you.
Time of Year
We are often asked the best time of year for fishing in our area. This is a difficult one to answer because each month has a
different flavour. October and November are when the rivers are at their freshest, and the fish are free taking and much less
spooky than in the hotter summer months when the water can be lower. January and February are the most popular for both visitors
and New Zealanders alike, and more people are likely to be out on the river than during other months, but the dry fly fishing
can be at its best. March and April bring showers that freshen up the rivers so one can often get freshened free-taking fish in
low rivers, which can also be fun. All these are very general trends because of the weather, which can make or spoil any month
of the season.
Helicopters
Helicopter fly-outs are always available and it is useful to let us know if you want to fly during your stay. It can help your
guide plan your time together. We are often asked if it is necessary to arrange a fly-out to experience the best of New Zealand
fishing. There is no definitive answer as some of the very best fishing can almost always be accessed by road, and plenty of our
guests catch a 10 lb fish nearby. However, helicopters do save time and are a tremendous wilderness experience in themselves.
They can place guests on backcountry rivers that rarely see a fisherman and this can help in the chance of a fish of a lifetime.
There have, however, been many evenings around the bar when those that travelled by car have out-fished those who have flown.
Prices vary depending on location of pick up and flying time, but can range from NZ$1500 to NZ$2800 plus tax. The guide or management
at the lodge are happy to outline all costs involved in flying. Please make sure that you are clear on the price of a flight before
committing to fly.
Scenic Flights - Take advantage of the helicopter being at the lodge at drop off time, and arrange a 10 minute or half-hour flight
Equipment in Brief
Please see the Fishing Pre-Trip Information for a detailed analysis of what you need to bring,
but here is a synopsis.
Rods:8½ to 9½ foot rods from 4 to 6 weight, 5 or 6 weight is best.
Reels:A reel with a decent drag system is important.
Lines:Your lines should be dark brown or green in colour if possible.
If they are not a dark enough colour we are happy to dye them for you at the lodge. We recommend weight forward for best presentation.
Polaroid Glasses:Bring two or three pairs - one to two for sunny conditions,
preferably light brown or copper colour lenses, and one yellow for cloudy days.
Leaders:We will be working with anything from 2 lbs to 8 lbs tippet. Often
the best method is to use a tapered leader to 10 lbs and then add a section of tippet material. This helps good turnover of the leader and better
presentation of the fly to the trout.
Waders:We have a very large selection of waders. We recommend Simms waders,
or wading wet with leggings and dull-coloured shorts with neoprene wading socks and wading boots.
Clothes:Dull-coloured clothes for fishing are important with a dull-coloured hat.
Casual clothes for dinner - shirt and cotton trousers are perfect.
Wading Stick:We have some at the lodge but bringing one is a good idea,
particularly the multi-section types.
Insect Repellent:We have sand flies, therefore it is important to bring
"anti-bug" sprays or creams.
If you bring this basic list you will have all that you need.
