Captain

John Hamill

Rotorua, New Zealand

10+ reviews

My father owned a fishing and hunting store and started us young. I became a full-time guide in 1996 doing backcountry fly fishing and charter boat skipper. With over 50 years of fishing experience, John Hamill has fished some of the best places in New Zealand but Lake Tarawera is one of his favourite spots. He's passionate about spreading the joy of fishing with anglers of any skill level, whether they're pros or total novices.

William John H.

Captain

Charter

Cruise And Fish Rotorua

Rotorua

Trips from

US $380

Rating

5.0

10 reviews

5.0

Boat & Equipment

5.0

Captain & Crew

5.0

Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (14)

All reviews (10)

Showing 1 – 5 of 10 reviews

Jennifer Wallis
Australia
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
NEW
Great time!!
3 Hour Trip – Lake Rotorua Trout on September 23, 2026 • 2 adults
Captain John was great! Good local fishing knowledge. Provides everything you need. Good quality boat that provides shelter from the weather and comfy seating. Thank you John for a good time on the water - great banter too!!
Reported catch:
Mia Crane
New Zealand
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Super birthday!
3 Hour Trip – Lake Rotorua Trout on April 4, 2026 • 4 adults • 2 children
My family went out with John for a day fishing to celebrate my birthday wekend and easter. John was an excellent guide - we caught so many fish. The morning was just perfect. John was so patient and a great teacher for my sons 10 and 11. I would love to to go back out agan with him.
Response from Captain
April 6, 2026
Thank you Mia. it was lovely to be part of your birthday weekend and to have some fun catching some of our trout. Look forward to seeing you all again. Best wishes for a great year. Tight lines John.
Tasha Cox
New Zealand
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Absolutely fantastic trip!
3 Hour Trip – Lake Rotorua Trout on August 23, 2026 • 5 adults • 3 children
We had a great morning fishing, our captain John was very friendly and very knowledgeable. He took the time to teach my kids some of the tricks and we all caught a lot of fish! It was a lot of fun and we would definately book with John again. Thanks for a great trip!
Reported catch:
Response from Captain
August 25, 2026
Thank you so much Tasha. Great to celebrate Ollie’s birthday with some great fish and fishing. Hope you enjoy few meals. Lovely to meet your wonderful family and look forward to seeing you all again. Best wishes John.
June Thompson
Hong Kong SAR China
Member since 2025
5.0
Verified
Great family activity!
3 Hour Trip – Lake Rotorua Trout on December 28, 2025 • 4 adults • 2 children
Captain John is great with kids and knows the area very well. Because there’s an algae bloom in Lake Rotorua, he recommended we go to Lake Okareka instead, which is a swimming lake with stunning views! Both kids and parents had a wonderful time and a good catch. He also helped us clean the fish at the end.
Reported catch:
Response from Captain
December 29, 2025
thank you so much for your kind words June. lovely to spend time with your family. We struck the day right and hope the weather hasnt damped the day today. Hope you’ve enjoyed the fish. Best wishes for 2026. John
Glenn Watt
Australia
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
can't miss!
4 Hour Trip (AM) on August 26, 2026 • 5 adults
awesome day out with John. knows the water like the back of his hands and out is in the monsters straight away.
Response from Captain
September 3, 2026
Thanks Glenn. Great fun and banter with your team. Look forward to another round with you guys.