What’s Happening in Aotearoa New Zealand Right Now?
Right now we are looking forward to the new fly fishing season opening in Aotearoa New Zealand on 1 October. And the great news is that it will!
But unfortunately for now, due to covid, the New Zealand border is closed to all but returning New Zealand residents and citizens, and a small number of essential workers. And even for those people there is a mandatory 14 day quarantine requirement before they can move out into the community.
So how does that leave our 2020-21 fly fishing season? For locals it will be a dream time with so many less people fishing on the rivers. But for those from overseas they will need to wait a while. Until a few weeks ago we were looking forward to a trans-Tasman travel bubble opening soon so that Australians could come and go freely to/from New Zealand. This would have been good news for fishing folk. But with a spike in covid-cases in Australia that idea has now been put aside for some time.
And it is the same for fishing folk coming from the US or the UK, as so many do each year. For now the New Zealand border is closed.
So how to plan a fishing trip with that in mind?
Most lodges are taking bookings for the upcoming season in 2021-22, with the knowledge that if the border remains closed or alert levels change, those bookings can be changed to suit. All standard lodge cancellation policies still apply, and most places also have a covid-waiver as well. Which means that if the lodge has a 90 day cancellation policy, then you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 90 days out from your initial arrival as usual. If you are within the 90 days, and the cancellation is due to changed alert levels or border restrictions still in place, you will be able to push your booking out to a time when the border will likely be open. However, refunds within that 90 days will not usually be allowed. So, like at any other time, if you are happy to book ahead and pay your deposit you will be able to secure a stay at your preferred fishing lodge. But should the border remain closed, or alert levels change, then your trip will be rebooked to a future date.
Just remember though, that for the South Island and some parts of the North Island, there is no fly fishing between May and September. Only lodges in the central North Island can provide year round fly fishing for trout.
If you have any questions, or want to look at booking a fishing stay in New Zealand