River Tours

Experience some of the South Island's best flyfishing on the Rakaia River and surrounding fishing waters with Ric Gorgeson of River Tours.

Ric offers anglers jet boat access to salmon fishing locations (unguided but with lunch included).

River Tours also offers guided fly-fishing trips, with access by jet boat, helicopter, 4WD or on foot.

River Tours

Mt Hutt Lodge

Zig Zag Road

RD12

Rakaia

Ph +64 3 318 6574
Fax +64 3 318 6573

Email: ric@rivertours.co.nz

Web: www.rivertours.co.nz

Rakaia River

Rakaia Lakes

Fishing options include:

Guided fly fishing trips

• Guided fly fishing trips on some of the best South Island fly fishing on the Rakaia River and other Canterbury streams, rivers and lakes
• Sight fishing for trout is definitely the most popular option, with seeing, catching and releasing wild New Zealand trout one of the most attractive and cost effective fishing trips
• Access to the wide variety of fishing trip options may be by jet boat, helicopter, 4WD or on foot
• 4WD trips include equipment and lunch and are limited to one or two anglers per guide
• Helifishing trips give anglers access exclusive access to some of the region's most remote fishing waters
• Fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout is available year round throughout much of Canterbury, with each new season starting October 1st
• The favoured high country fly fishing season runs from the first weekend in November till the end of April

Salmon fishing trips (unguided)

• Jet boat access to salmon fishing with three river locations
• Lunch included in trip and equipment is provided at no extra cost if needed
• Fish for New Zealand (Pacific or Chinook) salmon between January and May, from when the salmon enter the rivers and run upstream to spawn and return to the ocean

Your guide, Ric Gorgeson:

• Has years of experience and excellent knowledge of the Canterbury rivers, having growing up jet boating and fishing the local waters
• Has accumulated around 5000 hours of jet boating
• Is on the Board of Directors of CWF Hamilton (HamiltonJet)

Guided fly fishing trips

• NZ$650 for one person
• NZ$750 for two people
• Includes 4WD transport, guiding, equipment and lunch
• Fishing licences can be supplied but are extra
• Helifishing trips start from NZ$1775 per person per day for one to three people

Salmon fishing trips (unguided)

• NZ$285 per person per day
• Includes jet boat transport to fishing locations, lunch and gear if needed

Please phone or email to make a booking, or use the online form at the River Tours website.

Please note that a minimum lead time of 24 hours in advance is required for planning fly fishing safaris.