New Zealand
Guide Steve Perry making it happen on New Zealand’s South Island. Photo: Owen River Lodge
New Zealand O
ne of New Zealand’s charms is that the list of “mustdo” activities inevitably exceeds the number of available hours. When it comes to countries that offer a wide array of natural wonders, beautiful vistas, professionally guided activities, and well-run luxury lodges, New Zealand is at the top of the list. There is no masking our enthusiasm for fishing its countless rivers and streams. Fly Water considers the trout fishing in New Zealand to be the most distilled, challenging, and rewarding in the world. The only issue with New Zealand is that a two-week trip is merely a taste of all it has to offer. Located in the middle of the southern hemisphere, New Zealand’s two main islands are long and narrow. They are centered on the 41st parallel south and stretch almost 1,000 miles on a north by northeast axis and boast 10,000 miles of coastline. Couple this with the fact that the islands lie right along the dramatic geologic boundary of the Pacific and Indo-Australian plates, and you can begin to understand the root of its spectacular and varied topography. The massive shift in these plates millennia ago not only created the islands themselves, but gave rise to the South Island’s Southern Alps—a massive mountain range that divides the island’s east and west coasts
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and features at least 18 10,000-foot peaks. Less mountainous but not to be outdone, the North Island is an active volcanic zone punctuated by Lake Taupo which sits smack-dab in the caldera of the world’s most active supervolcano. The weather and climates in the country are no less dramatic. Driving through the South Island you can go from rainforest to semi-arid plains in a matter of miles and many areas of the North Island are subtropical. All told, New Zealand takes top honors for packing a wide variety of stunning landscapes and unique ecosystems into a relatively small space. Custom Itineraries Due to New Zealand’s unparalleled biodiversity and the vast array of activities available to vacationers and anglers alike, our favorite trips often encompass visits to multiple destinations. To accommodate this, we have greatly expanded our relationships with lodges and guides in virtually every corner of the country. Cumulatively, these venues allow us to offer custom itineraries with a diverse menu of experiences centered on fishing, hiking, golf, and sea kayaking as well as visiting the country’s top sights and winemaking regions.
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