Packing for New Zealand

What to pack for a New Zealand fly fishing expedition

Wow, you’re coming to fish in New Zealand! That’s awesome.

First up, got your licence?

If you’re coming to New Zealand to fish for trout you will need to a full season Non Resident Fishing Licence, and particularly if you need to secure any backcountry fishery endorsements - a Controlled Fisheries Ballot spot or Designated Water Licence (daily location-specific licence).

You can buy licences online from Fish & Game New Zealand before you arrive. Please screenshot for easy access and print multiple licence copies for your carry-on bag, expedition luggage and for your fishing vest or daybag.

If you’re booking through a guide or outfitters, or going straight to a fishing lodge, they will have already advised that they can issue you a licence or the arrangement for your licence. If you’re going to New Zealand and DIY fishing, just buy your licence online before you arrive. Remember, no licence, no fishing!

NZeTA

Sort out your New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority NZeTA before you board your plane. This is separate to getting a visa – many countries have visa-free entry into New Zealand but every visitor must have a valid NZeTA. It takes up to 72 hours to process this online so don’t leave it to your last day before actioning!

Packing for New Zealand

New Zealand's weather is highly changeable. Consider garment layering based on the temperature difference from where you are coming from. There's a wealth of technical apparel for anglers and hunters now. So many great brands, such as Skwala, Kuiu or First Lite, to choose from.

Your guide/lodge/outfitter will provide you a gear list specifically designed for the area you’re fishing. It will take into account of the seasonal weather changes, your planned accommodation, fishing tackle, even fly selection. I suggest adding to your apparel requirements, the further south you are planning to fish. The rain and coldest wind typically comes in from the south west.

Again your tackle will vary depending on species, size and the locations you’ll be fishing. you might need an 8wt rod for instance if you’re fishing the Rotorua/Taupo region over winter. More on this in the packing list.

Below is our detailed planning checklist for a one week trip to New Zealand’s South Island, chasing large wild brown trout. Think of it as a general list for a generic seven day cool climate freshwater expedition and add to it depending on the seasons.

In your Carry On Bag

• Phone & phone charger
• Passport (NZeTA, plus visa if required for entry into New Zealand)
• Wallet - credit cards, ID, & NZ currency in cash
• Flight Tickets & Itinerary (leave copies at home too)
• Camera, charger & cables, batteries & storage cards
• Neck cushion and earplugs (if you use these)
• Headphones or earbuds
• Fishing magazine or book (post a note in comments if you want recommendations)
• Medication (non-liquid only) and any sleeping aids
• Toiletries for the flight
• Sunglasses
• Extra clothing if heading into a cooler climate
• Notepad and pen
• Spare reel & line, a small bag of flies, just in case your expedition bag doesn’t make it to your destination.
• Rods in rod tube or rod bag*

* You might have been able to carry on your rods in the past, but this is less likely post-Covid. For your airline’s latest carry-on specs, ask your airline directly to be safe. Don’t rely on advice from others.

In your Expedition Pack

• Photocopy of your passport
• Backup print-out of your itinerary including flight tickets
• Main camera, lenses, filters, batteries, charger & cables
• Warm Jacket - pack at airport if coming from cold climate
• Headwear - cap and wide-brimmed hat in muted colors
• Robust sun gloves (UPF50+) - bring two pair in muted colors
• Neckwear - insect & sun protection, camouflage for NZ
• Headlamp - fully charged with spare batteries or charger
• 2 sets of Polarized Sunglasses (Amber and Copper)
• Base layer garments (short or long-sleeved crew)
• Mid-layer fishing shirts or quarter-zip tops (3 or more)
• Fast drying fishing pants or leggings (3 or more)
• Pyjamas –especially if you’re sharing a room!
• Togs or swimsuit
• A couple of casual clothing outfits including warm tops
• Toiletries and personal effects
• Medication (e.g. liquids that aren’t allowed in carry-on)
• Sunscreen & Insect Repellent (essential for our sandflies!)
• Pre-moistened lens cloths
• Small roll of tape and few zip ties for unforeseen repairs
• Lightweight packable rain jacket (highly breathable is best)

Fishing Tackle for New Zealand Trout

• #6 medium-fast fly rod, quality reel, WF floating line
• #5 fly rod, reel, WF or DT floating line
• Lightweight wading boots/shoes with tungsten studs
  (Note: felt soled wading boots are banned in New Zealand)
• Neoprene socks
• Polypropylene liner socks
• Fishing vest or day backpack, hip bag or sling pack
• Landing net (large mouth, short handled)
• Flies – see our fly list below
• Stiff tapered leaders 9ft - 12ft ending in 2X and 3X
• Fluorocarbon Tippet – 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X (high quality)
• Dry Fly Floatant
• Leader straightener
• Reusable water bottle
• Wading staff - if you normally use one
• Fly tying gear (optional)

Flies

Weighted nymphs in sizes from 10-16 in shades of brown, black and tan, some with tungsten beads. Dark colouration is important

• Mayfly imitations such as Pheasant Tail, Cadillac, Hair & Copper and weighted Hair & Pheasant variations
• Stonefly patterns in black and brown, well-weighted
• Various caddis imitations - weighted & unweighted
• Small lightly weighted nymphs for two nymph rigs 

• Parachute Adams (white & hi-viz posts)
• Classic Mayfly patterns such as Dads’ Favorite & Adams
• Some small spinners & CDC Emergers
• Green beetle patterns may be useful in some streams
• Parachute Blow Fly & Royal Wulff are excellent too

Terrestrials: Cicada (hopper) flies in sizes 8-12 and in olive, tan, & black colors. These are anglers arriving post-Christmas.

Streamer flies such as Woolly Bugger in sizes 4-8 & baitfish patterns lightly tied in sizes 4-8

Backpack/Vest Checklist

• Sunscreen (UPF70+) & trusted insect repellent
• Dull-colored sun gloves & Buff-style headwear
• Tippet material as above
• Replacement leader
• Fly boxes
• Quality Hemostats
• Nippers
• Small Pocket Knife
• Camera (are your batteries fully charged?)
• Polarized Sunglasses (amber/copper lenses are essential)
• Wide brimmed or peaked hat to minimise sun glare
• Rain jacket
• Sports tape for blisters and other injuries
• Quality wind-resistant clothing layers in addition to what you’re wearing

If you're heading deep into the New Zealand backcountry, particularly on your own, there's much more to consider. This will be covered in a future article. In the meantime, look into getting an EPIRB that can be easily accessed and triggered in an emergency, plus a messaging device such as a Garmin InReach Mini2 to get weather reports and update your contacts if you get delayed due to river levels rising or inclement weather.