Tongariro River Raft-Fishing
Water you can only reach by raft. The Upper Tongariro, opening 1 November, at its most untouched.
Fly fishing where the only way in is by raft.
The Upper Tongariro opens for angling on the 1st of November each year, and the water rafting gets you into is genuinely untouched — resident and spawning fish in pools most anglers never reach on foot. December and January are the standouts, when late-spawning fish from Lake Taupo push huge numbers of trout into the upper river.
This isn’t a rafting trip with a rod along for the ride. It’s a proper fly fishing trip that happens to use a raft to reach water nobody else can get to: deep swirly pools, gin-clear stalking water, and the kind of solitude that’s hard to find anywhere else on the Tongariro.
We work in small groups, at a 2:1 client-to-guide ratio, so your guide can actually cover the water properly instead of spreading thin across a crowd. Nymphing is the method that produces the most solid hook-ups here, though the river’s flexible enough for wet-lining and dry fly too — cicadas and evening mayfly hatches make summer dry fly a serious option.
Worth knowing before you book: anglers need existing fly fishing experience for this trip. If you’re bringing along someone who doesn’t fish, that’s no problem — there’s plenty to do on the riverbank: warm sand, a good book, a swim, and a hand on the next rapid when it’s time to move to the next hotspot.
This Trip Includes
- Full-day trip, around 8 hours
- Professional NZ river guide
- 2:1 client-to-guide ratio
- Raft transport to and from pristine fishing pools
- Expert local knowledge of the Upper Tongariro
Group of 1-2
Per group, full day
Straight Off The Guides' Cameras
A taste of what’s waiting on the Tongariro. Digital photos and video from your own trip are available to purchase after you raft.
Frequently Asked Questions
The quick answers. Call us on 0800 865 226 if yours isn’t here.
When does the season open?
The Upper Tongariro opens for angling and fly fishing trips on the 1st of November each year.
Frequently Asked Questions
The quick answers. Call us on 0800 865 226 if yours isn’t here.
When does the season open?
The Upper Tongariro opens for angling and fly fishing trips on the 1st of November each year.
Do I need fly fishing experience?
Yes, anglers need existing fly fishing experience for this trip.
What's the guide ratio?
We work at a 2:1 client-to-guide ratio to properly cover the water
How long is the trip?
Around 8 hours — plan to allow a full day.
What's the minimum age?
13+ years old
Can non-anglers come along?
Yes. There’s plenty to do on the riverbank for anyone not fishing — relaxing in the sun, swimming, or helping tackle the next rapid.