Rotorua Trout Guide 

5.0
(16 reviews)
 5 Thackeray Place, Rotorua, 3010, New Zealand–

Rotorua Trout Guide 

Rotorua, New Zealand
–
3
5.0
(16 reviews)

If you're a fly fishing addict, you've probably heard of the Rotorua District. The area is so rich with rivers and tributaries, amazing streams, and lake systems, that some spots don't see anglers for the whole season. Rotorua Trout Guide is a perfect choice for this famous region, whether you want to visit well-known spots or discover some of those hidden ones.

If you're attracted by wilderness and want to catch fish in peace and quiet, there's a way to reach the unreachable spots - by helicopter! These trips are best during summer, when you can go after aggressively feeding Trout. Summer months are great for Rainbow Trout wherever you go, as they migrate. You can also catch Brown Trout and practice dry fly fishing.

If you prefer fishing on a boat, you'll have a 17'Quintrex boat available. This model accommodates up to 3 guests. She's powered by a 90 HP Mercury engine, a wireless trolling motor, and navigational electronics.

Saltwater fishing is available as well and you can go after Yellowtail Amberjack (Kingfish). As you'll get them in the shallow water, you'll catch them too on a fly.

All fishing equipment, snacks, and drinks are included in the price. You'll need to get your fishing license and pack sun protection. There's an extra charge if you're taking a helicopter to your fishing spot.

Experience fly fishing at its best. Join Rotorua Trout Guide!

If you're a fly fishing addict, you've probably heard of the Rotorua District. The area is so rich with rivers and tributaries, amazing streams, and lake systems, that some spots don't see anglers for the whole season. Rotorua Trout Guide is a perfect choice for this famous region, whether you want to visit well-known spots or discover some of those hidden ones.

If you're attracted by wilderness and want to catch fish in peace and quiet, there's a way to reach the unreachable spots - by helicopter! These trips are best during summer, when you can go after aggressively feeding Trout. Summer months are great for Rainbow Trout wherever you go, as they migrate. You can also catch Brown Trout and practice dry fly fishing.

If you prefer fishing on a boat, you'll have a 17'Quintrex boat available. This model accommodates up to 3 guests. She's powered by a 90 HP Mercury engine, a wireless trolling motor, and navigational electronics.

Saltwater fishing is available as well and you can go after Yellowtail Amberjack (Kingfish). As you'll get them in the shallow water, you'll catch them too on a fly.

All fishing equipment, snacks, and drinks are included in the price. You'll need to get your fishing license and pack sun protection. There's an extra charge if you're taking a helicopter to your fishing spot.

Experience fly fishing at its best. Join Rotorua Trout Guide!

Julian Danby
Captain
Julian Danby
11 years of experience
ID & credentials verified

Select date to see availability

Trip availability and prices

Trip date:
Group Size:
September 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
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Half Day Fly Fishing Trip (2 MAX)
FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 8:00 AM
US $395
Private tour: up to 3 people
Full Day Fly Fishing Trip (2 MAX)
FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 8:00 AM
US $734
Private tour: up to 3 people
Saltwater Fly Fishing Trip
FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 7:30 AM
US $762
Private tour: up to 3 people

Customer reviews

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Rating

5.0
16 reviews
5.0
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (40)

Reviews (16)

  • Frank Weiss Iii
    Frank Weiss Iii
    us
    Alaska, US
    •
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Great morning of fishing Browns and Rainbows

    Half Day Fly Fishing Trip (2 MAX) on January 13, 2026 • 1 adult

    Had a wonderful time!

  • James Bowker
    James Bowker
    Repeat angler
    us
    Montana, US
    •
    Member since 2021
    •
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Julian is a great guide for wade fishing some beautiful stretches of water.

    Full Day Fly Fishing Trip (2 MAX) on December 3, 2024 • 2 adults

    We had a great day with Julian. My wife is a novice angler and I'm a bit more proficient. Julian geared us up with neoprene socks and wading boots that were a great fit. He brought pruning shears to help clear the trail. We went to a great stretch in the morning which was quite productive. He shared his knowledge of the river and history of the area with us. The sandwiches he provided for lunch were awesome. Afternoon fishng was mostly with dry flies in shallow gin-clear water. The experience exceeded all my expectations. Julian was very adept at spotting fish and gave good directional instructions so that I could see the fish. The afternoon was epic. I'd recommend Julian to anybody fishing this area. My wife and I are already making plans for a return visit and we'll get Julian as our guide for a couple of days.

  • Mark Hawker
    Mark Hawker
    Repeat angler
    gb
    United Kingdom
    •
    Member since 2022
    •
    9 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Great day catching rainbow trout around Rotarua.

    Full Day Fly Fishing Trip (2 MAX) on February 11, 2025 • 1 adult

    Julian picked me up at 08:00 & we set off for a local river. He provided the waders, boots & rod & we worked our way up the river catching a few nice sized trout. After that we headed for a spot on Lake Rotarua & caught more trout there. I have fly fished for about the last 10 years but never had any coaching. I found it a really useful day. Thouroughly recommended.

  • Ailsa Leach
    Ailsa Leach
    nz
    New Zealand
    •
    Member since 2022
    5.0
    Verified

    Half day trip with first timers - amazing! 5*

    Special 3 hour trip for Ailsa Leach on January 30, 2022 • 2 adults

    Julian took myself and my youngest son (9) out On a warm Sunday morning when we were down from Auckland for anniversary weekend. He knew all the spots to go looking for trout and was a great teacher. My son caught the first one, and had quite a few chances at others, he also caught another but we only kept the first and the only one I caught. Truly a fabulous experience - it was our first time out trout fishing and we were so happy to land them all by ourselves with Julians advice . Just eaten our smallest one (51cm long) for dinner- delicious! Would highly recommend!

  • Jeff Woessner
    Jeff Woessner
    us
    Missouri, US
    •
    Member since 2024
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Experience

    Full Day Fly Fishing Trip (2 MAX) on September 7, 2024 • 2 adults

    Julian was extremely helpful and ensured that both my wife and I caught the biggest rainbow trout we have ever hooked. We will be comparing all future fly fishing experiences with this one!

  • Gina Von Sturmer
    Gina Von Sturmer
    nz
    New Zealand
    •
    Member since 2022
    5.0
    Verified

    Full day trip with Julian

    Full Day Fly Fishing Trip (2 MAX) on March 5, 2022 • 1 adult

    Full day fly fish trip with Julian Danby in Rotorua. I am an experienced fly fisher and usually fish in Taupo and wanted to try somewhere different. Was a really great experience and Julian really knows his stuff. We went to several different locations and i have never caught and released so many trout in one day. Thanks for the awesome experience. As well as being a great fisherman he is a really nice guy and great company. I look forward to more successful guided fishing trips with him

  • Shaun Le Feuvre
    Shaun Le Feuvre
    au
    Australia
    •
    Member since 2020
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing with Julian

    Half Day Fly Fishing Trip (2 MAX) on July 27, 2021 • 2 adults

    Fantastic day out with Julian. Great experience. Julian was knowledgeable and helpful andirons all had a great day out

  • Andy Scarth
    Andy Scarth
    nz
    New Zealand
    •
    Member since 2021
    5.0
    Verified

    half day with Julian

    5 Hour Trip on July 5, 2021 • 2 adults

    nice time bit cold but fun, might get wife fly fishing rod to practice cheers

  • Patrick Kitschke
    Patrick Kitschke
    au
    Australia
    •
    Member since 2019
    5.0
    Verified

    Half day boat

    Half Day Fly Fishing Trip (2 MAX) on December 9, 2019 • 1 adult

    Due to weather Skip altered the trip to a boat adventure rather than fly. Straight away he put us on the fish and it did not stop for the whole morning. We landed over 30 beautiful NZ Rainbow trout and I could not recommend the service more highly.

  • Carter Y
    Carter Y
    nz
    New Zealand
    •
    Member since 2023
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing with Julian

    Half Day Fly Fishing Trip (2 MAX) on April 27, 2025 • 2 adults

Rating

5.0
16 reviews
5.0
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (40)

All reviews (16)

Frequently mentioned
Showing 1 – 5 of 16 reviews
Frank Weiss III
Frank Weiss III
us
Alaska, US
•
Member since 2025
5.0
Verified
Great morning of fishing Browns and Rainbows
Half Day Fly Fishing Trip (2 MAX) on January 13, 2026 • 1 adult

Had a wonderful time!

James Bowker
James Bowker
Repeat angler
us
Montana, US
•
Member since 2021
•
2 trips
5.0
Verified
Julian is a great guide for wade fishing some beautiful stretches of water.
Full Day Fly Fishing Trip (2 MAX) on December 3, 2024 • 2 adults

We had a great day with Julian. My wife is a novice angler and I'm a bit more proficient. Julian geared us up with neoprene socks and wading boots that were a great fit. He brought pruning shears to help clear the trail. We went to a great stretch in the morning which was quite productive. He shared his knowledge of the river and history of the area with us. The sandwiches he provided for lunch were awesome. Afternoon fishng was mostly with dry flies in shallow gin-clear water. The experience exceeded all my expectations. Julian was very adept at spotting fish and gave good directional instructions so that I could see the fish. The afternoon was epic. I'd recommend Julian to anybody fishing this area. My wife and I are already making plans for a return visit and we'll get Julian as our guide for a couple of days.

Mark Hawker
Mark Hawker
Repeat angler
gb
United Kingdom
•
Member since 2022
•
9 trips
5.0
Verified
Great day catching rainbow trout around Rotarua.
Full Day Fly Fishing Trip (2 MAX) on February 11, 2025 • 1 adult

Julian picked me up at 08:00 & we set off for a local river. He provided the waders, boots & rod & we worked our way up the river catching a few nice sized trout. After that we headed for a spot on Lake Rotarua & caught more trout there. I have fly fished for about the last 10 years but never had any coaching. I found it a really useful day. Thouroughly recommended.

Ailsa Leach
Ailsa Leach
nz
New Zealand
•
Member since 2022
5.0
Verified
Half day trip with first timers - amazing! 5*
Special 3 hour trip for Ailsa Leach on January 30, 2022 • 2 adults

Julian took myself and my youngest son (9) out On a warm Sunday morning when we were down from Auckland for anniversary weekend. He knew all the spots to go looking for trout and was a great teacher. My son caught the first one, and had quite a few chances at others, he also caught another but we only kept the first and the only one I caught. Truly a fabulous experience - it was our first time out trout fishing and we were so happy to land them all by ourselves with Julians advice . Just eaten our smallest one (51cm long) for dinner- delicious! Would highly recommend!

Jeff Woessner
Jeff Woessner
us
Missouri, US
•
Member since 2024
5.0
Verified
Great Experience
Full Day Fly Fishing Trip (2 MAX) on September 7, 2024 • 2 adults

Julian was extremely helpful and ensured that both my wife and I caught the biggest rainbow trout we have ever hooked. We will be comparing all future fly fishing experiences with this one!

Reported catch:
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)

FAQs about Rotorua Trout Guide

Rotorua Trout Guide offers the following trips to customers:
  • NZ $700 per group - Half Day Fly Fishing Trip (2 MAX) (4 hours)
  • NZ $1,300 per group - Full Day Fly Fishing Trip (2 MAX) (8 hours)
  • NZ $1,350 per group - Saltwater Fly Fishing Trip (8 hours)
When you book a trip with Rotorua Trout Guide, you can expect the following amenity onboard:
  • Wireless trolling motor
Trips booked with Rotorua Trout Guide include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Drinks
  • Lunch
  • Fly fishing equipment
Rotorua Trout Guide offers the following types of fishing:
  • River fishing
  • Lake fishing
  • Inshore fishing
  • Flats fishing
  • Backcountry fishing
Rotorua Trout Guide offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Fly fishing
Top targeted fish species with Rotorua Trout Guide include:
  • Brown Trout
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
  • Yellowtail Amberjack

Your captain

Julian Danby
Julian Danby

Rotorua, New Zealand

ID & license verified
41 Customer reviews
Typical response within 13 hours
Member since March 2019

For as long as I can remember I have had a fishing rod in my hand. Fishing became my livelihood in 2015 establishing Rotorua Trout Guide allowing me the opportunity to host visiting anglers from around the globe in the fabulous fly fishing destination, the Rotorua district.

Julian Danby
Julian Danby
Fully verified
41
reviews
2019
member since
~13h
response
For as long as I can remember I have had a fishing rod in my hand. Fishing became my livelihood in 2015 establishing Rotorua Trout Guide allowing me the opportunity to host visiting anglers from around the globe in the fabulous fly fishing destination, the Rotorua district.

The fish you can target

Brown Trout
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Yellowtail Amberjack
Yellowtail Amberjack
Brown Trout
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Yellowtail Amberjack
Yellowtail Amberjack

Real catches by this captain

  • Great morning of fishing Browns and Rainbows
    Frank W.
    Frank W.
  • Great day catching rainbow trout around Rotarua.
    Mark H.
    Mark H.
  • Great Experience
    Jeff W.
    Jeff W.
  • Fishing with Julian
    Shaun L.
    Shaun L.

What kind of fishing will you do?

River Fishing
Lake Fishing
Inshore Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Fly Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

Wireless trolling motor
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Drinks
Lunch
Fly fishing equipment

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 30 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 30 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup included in price
Transfer from hotels or jetties in Rotorua to departure site is available and included in trip rates.
Child friendly
Catch and release allowed

How you can pay

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

 Cash

 Visa

 Mastercard

 PayPal

 Bank transfer

When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4.5% charge will apply.

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