Rotorua Trout Guide
Rotorua Trout Guide
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Welcome to Rotorua Trout Guide. Based in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand. We offer guiding fly fishing and boat fishing trips throughout the Rotorua District. We also offer saltwater fly fishing in the nearby harbours in the Bay of Plenty predominantly chasing kingfish. One of the most popular options we offer is Heli-fishing, gaining access to remote wilderness rivers that only see fisherman a couple of times at the most each year. We also offer boat fishing on many lakes in the region. Expect good catch rates of top quality trout. The world famous and highly regarded fisheries of Rotorua is a necessary part of any serious fisherman's travel itinerary to New Zealand. Trips range in length from half day to multi day trips for all ages, fitness levels and ability. Get in contact with your Rotorua trout fishing guide Julian Danby for a fantastic fishing adventure catered around your needs and requirements.
Rotorua, New Zealand
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5.0
28 reviews
Excellent
27
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Robert Learnard
Peachtree City, GA4 contributions
Jan 2023
I had an opportunity to fish the Rotorua area for 1.5 days in January 2023. My visit was scheduled a few days after a bad weather system hit the area and dropped a ton of rain, leaving the mountain streams unfishable. Julian made the best of my trip by sight fishing in a mountain lake and fishing around Lake Rotorua. Julian is patient and great host and guide. I caught plenty of Browns and Rainbows! I would highly recommend Julian for his knowledge, his equipment, his teaching ability and good nature!
Rob Learnard
Rob Learnard
Written 9 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacquesdb D
Gold Coast71 contributions
Jun 2021
Julian made our trip, we had a fantastic full day guided Fly Fishing Adventure in one of the local rivers.
by mid morning we had lost count of how many fish we had caught.
One of us was only fishing for the first time and managed to catch some really impressive fish.
Beginners luck?, not really, more like really good guiding and local Knowledge.
Highly recommend Julian if you want access to the best conditions on the day.
by mid morning we had lost count of how many fish we had caught.
One of us was only fishing for the first time and managed to catch some really impressive fish.
Beginners luck?, not really, more like really good guiding and local Knowledge.
Highly recommend Julian if you want access to the best conditions on the day.
Written 15 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott E
41 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
I was happy with the whole experience from the initial inquiries to the end of our fishing day. I highly recommend Julian.
Was on a New Zealand cruise in December 2018 and one of our stops was Tauranga/Rotorua. My wife found Julian's company on Trip Advisor and did the initial contacts for availability. From there Julian promptly replied to all inquiries regarding fees, schedules, opportunities, etc. Julian was extremely flexible on getting paid as well (regarding when to pay, not amount which was already reasonable).
Although I was thinking about bringing my own gear I ended up not doing so and Julian provided everything needed which even included a Hatch reel setup for a left hander.
Julian met me on the beach right next to where our cruise ship docked promptly at our arranged 7:30 meeting time. The fishing locations are all around the bay and within minutes of the beach we left from. So we started fishing fairly quickly and continued fishing right up to the time I needed to get back on the ship. So certainly a full day and then some.
Throughout the fishing day Julian was very good about instructing what to do, when to do it, and full of information about how one could fish on their own in the area. He is very patient and makes you comfortable when it comes time to make those all important casts for those intermittent opportunities at the local Kingfish. I was able to catch 2 but had opportunities for a few more. Also caught a Kahawai (sea trout) which was amazingly strong for its size.
Lunch and drinks are provided as well. Menu for the day was very tasty sandwiches and some NZ sodas to choose from.
You certainly won't be disappointed booking a day or more with Julian.
Was on a New Zealand cruise in December 2018 and one of our stops was Tauranga/Rotorua. My wife found Julian's company on Trip Advisor and did the initial contacts for availability. From there Julian promptly replied to all inquiries regarding fees, schedules, opportunities, etc. Julian was extremely flexible on getting paid as well (regarding when to pay, not amount which was already reasonable).
Although I was thinking about bringing my own gear I ended up not doing so and Julian provided everything needed which even included a Hatch reel setup for a left hander.
Julian met me on the beach right next to where our cruise ship docked promptly at our arranged 7:30 meeting time. The fishing locations are all around the bay and within minutes of the beach we left from. So we started fishing fairly quickly and continued fishing right up to the time I needed to get back on the ship. So certainly a full day and then some.
Throughout the fishing day Julian was very good about instructing what to do, when to do it, and full of information about how one could fish on their own in the area. He is very patient and makes you comfortable when it comes time to make those all important casts for those intermittent opportunities at the local Kingfish. I was able to catch 2 but had opportunities for a few more. Also caught a Kahawai (sea trout) which was amazingly strong for its size.
Lunch and drinks are provided as well. Menu for the day was very tasty sandwiches and some NZ sodas to choose from.
You certainly won't be disappointed booking a day or more with Julian.
Written 6 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom
Johannesburg, South Africa1 contribution
Jan 2017 • Solo
I came to New Zealand in January 2017 and desperately wanted to do some fly fishing in some of the world's most pristine water. I found myself quickly becoming a target of commercial operations and hotel packages.
Luckily I found Julian through recommendation. He set up a custom package that involved a 2 day help trip tour in back country river in Rotorua followed by a day in the creek chasing browns.
The Helming trip is nothing short of phenomenal. The water is pristine and the scenery is just majestic! Julian taught my cousin to fish and within a few hours he was hauling beasts from the clear riffs!
By far the best trout fishing I have ever done. The heli trip is a must! Sleeping under the starts in that beautiful country side and non stop action in perfect conditions.
The next day we landed my first brown and he was a beauty! Julian put in the extra mile and took my salt water fly fishing on the flats where I hooked into my first Kingfish! We were just over the moon!
Fantastic guiding very professional. Thanks Julz my bro! Will definitely be back! The addition of your boat to your services is gonna make you a knock out my man!
All the best!
Luckily I found Julian through recommendation. He set up a custom package that involved a 2 day help trip tour in back country river in Rotorua followed by a day in the creek chasing browns.
The Helming trip is nothing short of phenomenal. The water is pristine and the scenery is just majestic! Julian taught my cousin to fish and within a few hours he was hauling beasts from the clear riffs!
By far the best trout fishing I have ever done. The heli trip is a must! Sleeping under the starts in that beautiful country side and non stop action in perfect conditions.
The next day we landed my first brown and he was a beauty! Julian put in the extra mile and took my salt water fly fishing on the flats where I hooked into my first Kingfish! We were just over the moon!
Fantastic guiding very professional. Thanks Julz my bro! Will definitely be back! The addition of your boat to your services is gonna make you a knock out my man!
All the best!
Written 20 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trev WIlliams
Coffs Harbour, Australia85 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
Morning session on Lake Tarawera this morning with Julian.
Pauline and I had one of the very Best Guiding Sessions.
Just on 18 Rainbow landed with Paulines best over 9lb.
Jogging with Flies, locating fish and jogging at right depth.
Watching the jigs at between 30 to 35metres and seeing the fish on the Lowrance HDS9 was helpful.
Knew his gear and boat well.
Everything well maintained and correct drag settings.
Very attentive, helpful and great knowledge.
Thoroughly recommend him as a guide and would defintely fish with him again.
Pauline and I had one of the very Best Guiding Sessions.
Just on 18 Rainbow landed with Paulines best over 9lb.
Jogging with Flies, locating fish and jogging at right depth.
Watching the jigs at between 30 to 35metres and seeing the fish on the Lowrance HDS9 was helpful.
Knew his gear and boat well.
Everything well maintained and correct drag settings.
Very attentive, helpful and great knowledge.
Thoroughly recommend him as a guide and would defintely fish with him again.
Written 18 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark H
St. Albans, UK298 contributions
Jan 2025 • Solo
Had a great days fishing with Julian Danby. Plenty of rainbow trout caught both in river & in lake. Would throughly recommend. Learnt a few things for the future as well.
Written 12 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colin Fink
7 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
Three of us spent two days fishing with Julian. One of the days was heli fishing which was absolutely fantastic. Beautiful scenery and hiking while fishing. The fish quality was stellar catching huge rainbow and brown trout! Would recommend to any angler to go fishing with Julian.
Written 21 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grant S
2 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
Had the pleasure of spending a half day fishing with Julian. His knowledge and passion of the local area is first rate. He also has a great ability to adapt his style no matter what level of experience. He also has a great ability to marriage his professionalism with a friendly personality which all makes for a great day out. Can not recommend Julian highly enough.
Written 8 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graeme
8 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
Lucky enough to get a half day with Julian fishing for some of rotorua's fantastic trout. Top bloke , patient and gave me loads of tips and instruction as well as putting me on to great fish. Knowledge was top drawer. Day was an utter success. Gutted i couldnt stay for longer or i would have gone out with him again. Cant reccomend enough. Ta mate.
Written 12 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
danielgriggs
Northfield, IL12 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
Dan and I had a "once in a lifetime" afternoon fly fishing with Julian. It was a terrific experience . I am a rank beginner while my husband is very experienced. Julian was able to shift gears effortlessly between us. The most impressive fact about Julian is that he put his heart and soul into our trout fishing experience. We had gotten only nibbles in the first hour while trying a variety of flies. Julian then began a campaign of exchanging different flies couple with different weights until he found the right fly that fell at the right level in the river for us to land trout. I caught 4 large ones as a rank beginner while my husband brought in an additional 9. (All catch and release) Julian said that the " fish were really biting " that day, but he was the necessary ingredient for us to be so successful that afternoon. On a final note, Julian is easy to spend time with. He has a very laid back manner and easy conversational style that made the time go swiftly. We will definitely be engaging his services on any return trips to New Zealand and heartily recommend him.
Written 10 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WIll you pick up and drop off at hotel. RAmada in Rotarua. My granddaughter ages nineteen wants a fishing experience while we are in Rotarua. SOme of the family is going on a dolphin swim in Tarangua but she wants a fishing day..not necessarily on open water. DEc 27 or 28th. can you accommodate her on those days and can you tell us about where you go etc...Thanks
Elizabeth Haning.
Written 25 September 2016
Hi Nick, How much will be a half day or a full day trout guide tour in rotorua?
cheers gerold
Written 30 May 2016
JulianDanby
Rotorua District, New Zealand
Greetings. 1/2 day- NZD400 . Full day NZD700. Thanks Julian
Written 31 May 2016
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