You don’t need any previous fly fishing experience—we welcome everyone from complete beginners to experienced anglers.

Once you make an enquiry, we’ll discuss your experience, fitness, expectations, and the type of adventure you’re looking for. We’ll then tailor a trip that’s well suited to your abilities and goals.

Hiring a fly fishing guide is about more than catching fish—it’s about getting the most from your time on the water.

A professional guide provides expert local knowledge, selects the best water and techniques for the conditions, and helps you improve your casting, presentation, and overall fishing skills. They also manage the logistics, prioritise your safety, and tailor the day to your experience and goals.

Whether you’re new to fly fishing or an experienced angler exploring unfamiliar rivers, a guide can help you fish more effectively, learn faster, and enjoy a more rewarding day on the water.

Absolutely. Many of our guests are trying fly fishing for the first time. We’ll introduce you to the fundamentals at a comfortable pace, ensuring you feel confident while enjoying an unforgettable day on the water.

As your guide, I’ll provide as much or as little coaching as you want throughout the day, helping you develop practical skills and techniques that will improve your success long after the trip is over.

Absolutely. Whether you’re looking to refine your casting, improve your presentation, learn to read water more effectively, or become more consistent at spotting and catching trout, every trip is tailored to your individual goals.

As your guide, I’ll provide as much or as little coaching as you want throughout the day, helping you develop practical skills and techniques that will improve your success long after the trip is over.

We specialise in offering guided one day fly fishing trips, multi day tours and wilderness adventures.

One day trips are within 30-90mins drive from Taupo or Turangi and can be dsigned for the more relaxed or adventurous angler.

Your trip includes professional guiding for 1-2 people, the use of high-quality fly fishing equipment, and return transport from your accommodation. There is no extra charge for a second angler or non angler.

For multi-day adventures, you can also choose to include accommodation, meals, and other services as part of a customised package. We’ll discuss your requirements during the planning process and confirm everything that’s included in writing before your trip, so you know exactly what to expect.

We specialise in customised multi-day fly fishing inter-regional fly fishing tours and wilderness adventures that showcase the exceptional trout fisheries of New Zealand’s Central North Island, with itineraries designed around your interests and available time.

For all fly fishing day trips you can bring a second angler or non angler at no extra charge, the third person is +$200 per day.

For all multi-day fly fishing packages a second angler or non-angler is +$300 day.

To make a booking please fill out the form on our booking page. If you are booking within 48hrs of your intended departure a telephone or WhatsApp call is likely to elicit the fastest response.

Once we recieve your enquiry we will make contact to discuss your experience, goals, preferred dates, and any special requirements. From there, we’ll recommend the most suitable trip and upon receipt of a 50% deposit, we will confirm your booking.

The NZ weather is extremely changeable. We keep a close eye on conditions right up to the point of departure and make all decisions with your fishing success and safety as our priorities. Sometimes the weather may require a change of plans but rarely does a trip need to be cancelled.

We recommend the following forecasts:

MetVuw North Island 7-Day Climate Forecast

Met Service Taupo 7-Day Weather Forecast

Met Service Tongariro National Park 5-Day Forecast

Met Service Taupo 5-Day Rainfall Forecast

Our cancellation policy is designed to be as flexible as possible, and we’ll always do our best to accommodate changes to your plans. However, this isn’t always possible due to existing bookings and scheduling commitments. We recommend comprehensive travel insurance for added peace of mind in the event your plans change.

All anglers are required by law to hold a valid fishing licence. There are two different licences available, depending on where we fish.

The licence you need will be determined by our final destination. As weather, river conditions, and fishing opportunities can change quickly, the fishing location—and therefore the required licence—may not be confirmed until the evening before your trip.

Fishing licences can be purchased online from either the Department of Conservation (DOC) , which manages the Taupō fishery, or Fish and Game NZ, which manages all freshwater fisheries outside the Taupō District. We’ll advise you which licence you’ll need before your trip.

We will pick you up from your accommodation or depending on your location relative to our fishing location, we may meet at the river.

In the winter being early matters and a start time between 6-7 am is likely. In the summer beginning late morning and fishing into the evening may make more sense.

Regardless, we can start as early or late as you wish and will confirm this with you the evening before departure.

A full-day guided trip typically lasts around eight hours, although the exact duration can vary depending on travel, fishing conditions, and your preferences. Multi-day and customised itineraries are also available.

We recommend dressing in layers and giving some thought to your choice of fabrics to ensure you stay comfortable throughout the day.

A good clothing system consists of:

• A moisture-wicking base layer
• A lightweight insulating mid-layer (or a warmer one in colder conditions)
• A breathable, waterproof outer shell

Merino wool is an excellent choice as it provides warmth even when wet, breathes well, dries quickly, and is more comfortable over a wide range of temperatures than most synthetic fabrics.

During the warmer months, wet wading is often more comfortable than wearing waders. Polypropylene or lightweight leggings paired with nylon shorts provide excellent protection from the sun, insects, and abrasive riverbeds while keeping you cool.

Recommended clothing and accessories…

• Thermal gloves (supplied in winter)
• Clothing i.e. merino wool or polypropylene top and leggings
• Rainproof and breathable jacket
• A wide-brimmed hat or woolen beenie
• Heavier socks for padding
• Polaroid sunglasses
• Suntan lotion and bug spray
• Personal medical supplies
• Camera
• Lunch
• Waterbottle

If you require extra clothing or wet weather gear please discuss this the day prior to departure.

All fishing gear including wading boots and if necessary waders are included in the cost and are supplied by Riverstone Fly Fishing Guides.

If you have your own fishing gear you are welcome to bring this with you but please let us know in advance what you have. The gear required will depend on where we go and the fishing conditions.

If you are bringing gear for an extended trip to NZ this list will be a good place to begin. For recommendations specific to your time with us, please make contact to discuss.

Rods & fly lines…

• Fly-fishing rod – #6 weight or if you have two maybe a #5 weight and a #7 weight
• Floating lines – weight-forward and double-taper with dull colored lines preferred for South Island sight fishing
• Sinking line – weight forward fast sinking tip 150-250 grams lines, or a selection of Skagit style heads

Fishing clothing…

• Rubber-soled wading boots with cleats
• Breathable rain jacket
• Breathable waders – not essential in summer
• Broad-brimmed hats and woolen beenies
• Thermal gloves – winter only

Accessories…

• Tapered leaders: 9ft 2x-5x
• Poly leaders, 5-9ft
• Scissors
• Indicator material
• Nylon and fluorocarbon
• Fishing net
• Backpack or fishing vest
• Pliers
• Dry fly floatant

Flies…

• Dry Flies – Royal Wulff, Parachute Adams, Stimulators, Blow flies, Klinkhammer style variants, and large terrestrial Cicada style patterns
• Nymphs – weighted tungsten bead-heads and unweighted – Pheasant Tails, Cadillac nymphs, Stoneflies, Hare and Copper, Green or White Caddis, Damsels, Glo bugs and Blood Worms, etc.
• Streamers – Wolley Bugger style and Marabou variations, Booby style flies and smelt and bully imitations

Safety…

• First aid kit
• EPIRB emergency locator beacon

For day trips please bring your own lunch and water. If you would like lunch provided please discuss this with us during the booking process.

In summer we supply a complimentary cold beer at the end of the day and on cold winter mornings a warm drink.

For multi-day trips a range of self catered or catered options are available, which can be discussed when planning your trip.

If meals are included, we’re happy to accommodate most dietary requirements with advance notice. Please let us know of any allergies or special requests when booking.

Taupo

 De Bretts Lodge and Spa

Turangi

Taupo

Replete Cafe

The Cozy Corner

Kefi

The Storehouse

Turangi

Anglers Table

Delta Coffee

Hydro Eatery

Taupo

Mole and Chicken

Plateau Restaurant and Bar

The Bistro

Incredible India

Bombay Bistro

Turangi

Hare and Copper

Turangi Tavern

Rust Bar and Restaurant

Guided Tongariro Alpine Crossing – Adrift Outdoors