New Zealand Fly Fishing Trip 2027 with Mike Komara

A New Zealand fly fishing trip is already high on the list for many trout anglers.

Add ten days of hands-on instruction from two internationally accomplished competitors, comfortable accommodations, and access to some of the North Island’s best-known trout water, and it becomes something much more than a typical fishing vacation.

From February 4 through February 13, 2027, Precision guide Mike Komara and New Zealand angler Ollie Basset will host a small group of anglers for an educational fly fishing trip through the Rotorua and Taupo regions of New Zealand’s North Island.

The goal is not simply to catch fish. This trip is designed to help each guest become a more capable and adaptable angler while pursuing large wild brown and rainbow trout in one of the world’s most respected fly fishing destinations.

Learn from Two World-Level Anglers

Mike Komara and Ollie Basset have more than 30 years of combined experience fishing and competing internationally.

Mike is a four-time world team medalist and has twice finished third overall in the United States. Ollie is a three-time New Zealand national champion and has recorded two individual top-ten finishes at the World Championships.

Throughout the trip, Mike and Ollie will serve as both hosts and guides. Anglers will have the opportunity to learn modern techniques and apply them directly on the water.

Instruction may include:

• Sight fishing and approaching visible trout
• Reading water and identifying productive holding areas
• Improving presentation and drift
• Adjusting tactics for different rivers and conditions
• Fishing to cruising trout in lakes
• Selecting flies, leaders, and rigs for selective fish
• Making better decisions when targeting large trout

The lessons learned in New Zealand will not be limited to this trip. The purpose is to help anglers return home with skills they can use anywhere they fish.

A Different Kind of Hosted Fishing Trip

This is a curated ten-day trip across New Zealand’s North Island rather than a stay at one lodge.

The group will divide its time between two regions, giving guests the opportunity to experience different rivers, lakes, landscapes, and styles of fishing.

Mike and Ollie will remain with the group throughout the trip, helping with transportation, daily fishing plans, equipment preparation, and instruction. They will also help guests select flights and prepare an appropriate packing list before departure.

The structure provides many of the comforts associated with a traditional lodge trip while allowing the group to explore more water and spend more days fishing.

Days 1–4: Fishing the Rotorua Region

The first portion of the trip, scheduled for February 4 through February 7, will be based near Lake Rotorua and the Waiteti Stream.

Guests will stay in a spacious private lodge near the point where the Waiteti Stream enters Lake Rotorua. The location provides convenient access to the lake and nearby tributaries, with opportunities to sight fish for both brown and rainbow trout.

The proposed schedule includes:

Day 1: Airport pickup, settle into the lodge, and fish during the evening
Day 2: Sight fish the Rotorua tributaries
Day 3: Target cruising trout in Lake Rotorua
Day 4: Fish a half day before traveling to the Taupo region

The itinerary may be adjusted according to weather, water conditions, and where the best fishing opportunities are available.

Days 5–10: The Taupo and Tongariro Region

The second half of the trip, from February 8 through February 13, will be based at Tongariro Lodge.

Guests will stay in private cabins along the banks of the Tongariro River. From there, the group will explore several rivers throughout the Taupo region and around Tongariro National Park.

The proposed fishing schedule includes:

Day 5: Tongariro River
Day 6: Whakapapa River
Day 7: Whanganui River
Day 8: Whakapapa River
Day 9: Tongariro River and trip preparation
Day 10: Return to the airport

These waters provide a combination of sight fishing and more traditional river fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout. The variety of water will also allow Mike and Ollie to teach different techniques throughout the week.

What Is Included?

The trip price is $6,000 per angler.

The package includes:

• Ten-day hosted fishing experience
• Accommodations in the Rotorua and Taupo regions
• Daily instruction and guiding from Mike and Ollie
• Food and drinks
• Ground transportation
• Laundry service
• Cleaning and turn-down services
• Help selecting flights
• Pre-trip packing assistance

Anglers are responsible for their own airfare and New Zealand fishing licenses.

More Than a Fishing Vacation

New Zealand is known for clear water, challenging sight fishing, and large trout that demand patience and precision. That makes it an exciting destination, but it also makes it an exceptional place to learn.

This trip is intended for anglers who want more than photographs and fish stories. It offers the opportunity to spend ten days watching, practicing, asking questions, and learning directly from two anglers who have competed successfully at the highest levels of the sport.

Guests should return home with memorable fish, a better understanding of trout behavior, and a stronger set of skills they can apply to their home waters.

Request More Information

Space for the New Zealand Fly Fishing Trip 2027 will be limited. For availability, booking information, or questions about the itinerary, contact:

Mike Komara
mikekomara@innovativeangling.com