Chris Jolly Outdoors Taupo

Chris Jolly Outdoors has been leading tours and outdoors activities of various types around the Taupō region for more than 40 years. They’re deeply rooted in the community and the landscape. Most importantly, they know the area rivers and trout migrations within them as well as anyone.

Their local streams vary widely from grassy, narrow spring creeks to tight jungle flows packed with trees to big, broad rivers welcoming to Spey tackle. Those lie within minutes of town and a short walk to deep backcountry requiring serious hikes or helicopters. In all of them, you’re likely to see trout over 10 pounds on any given day.

The lake and town of Taupō are an outdoor recreation center for Kiwis and visitors alike—making this an ideal destination for families or large groups. CJO caters to all interests, including but not limited to guided hiking, mountain biking, helicopter flightseeing, parasailing, water skiing, snow skiing, hunting, whitewater rafting, golfing, and catered boat tours of scenic Lake Taupō and its famous Māori rock carvings.

Most all the adventures you could hope to have on your trip to New Zealand you can have here.

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Year Round

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Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout

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The Chris Jolly Outdoors Taupo Experience

Most all the adventures you could hope to have on your trip to New Zealand you can have here.

The Taupō region was one of the first locations in New Zealand to receive trout introductions, as early as the 1870s. The clean, cold, and extremely deep Lake Taupō provided ideal habitat and served to disperse the fish into the countless streams that feed it. Those populations thrived and spread, building this area into one of the country’s best fishing destinations.

Due to the migratory, lake-run nature of many of the Taupō area trout, the streams they venture into often have much higher fish densities than other watersheds in New Zealand. While even the most famous rivers on the South Island may support only a dozen or two trout per mile, these North Island rivers will frequently have that many in one pool—increasing as spawning time approaches. And because these fish spend so much time in oceanic Lake Taupō, they may be heavier and less familiar with fishermen than those in popular fluvial destinations.

Chris Jolly Fly Fishing also boasts private hike-in access into one of the very best backcountry streams in the whole country. It’s public water but would take someone several days of hiking and scrambling to reach from the nearest bridge. This place is extremely wild and rugged and the angling is astonishing. The average trout might sit in the 22- to 24-inch range, and 30 inchers are not uncommon. Some anglers will emerge from this canyon carrying pictures of multiple fish beyond 10 pounds.

CJO also reaches a number of other backcountry rivers via helicopter—a major boon for those anglers not thrilled about climbing down cliffs and hiking miles in rough terrain. Some of those are equally extraordinary if not slightly better.

As with most of the country, the fishing here is done primarily by sight. You move slowly and stealthily, scanning the river ahead for shadows. Once a fish is located, you will creep or crawl into range and take your shot. Good presentations will be rewarded; bad ones may spook fish immediately. Sometimes you may need to show the trout a dozen flies before it commits. It is quite technical fishing but doable with enough practice and patience. The CJO guides are accomplished in all aspects of the fishery and will teach you everything you need to succeed.

CJO and Midcurrent Travel are happy to arrange accommodations that best suit your adventures, desires, and budget—whether that’s a hut high in the mountains, a lodge on a river, or a house right in the vibrant town of Taupō.

Chris Jolly Outdoors is much larger than its fishing operation, a one-stop shop for families and groups seeking to enjoy all that New Zealand has to offer. CJO operates a fleet of large boats to cruise the gorgeous lake, visit the famous Ngātoroirangi Māori rock carvings, go snorkeling and swimming, troll for trout, and host back-deck parties and events—complete with catering and bartending. They also offer guided hiking on nearby volcanoes and other landscapes, mountain biking, helicopter flightseeing, water skiing, snow skiing, parasailing, hunting, whitewater rafting, nature education, golf, and more. The Jolly team of customer service representatives can facilitate almost adventure you can throw at them.

Visitors from North America may fly to the primary hub in Auckland from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, New York, or Houston. A short transfer flight carries you right to Taupō, or you can take a bus or rental car approximately 4 hours south to enjoy the beautiful, pastoral scenery of the northern North Island. The guides and outfitter will transport you to fishing destinations by vehicle or helicopter.

2024/2025 Rates:

Half-Day Fishing: $605 USD (1-2 anglers)

Full-Day Guided Fishing: $1,195 (1-2 anglers)

Backcountry Full-Day Guided Fishing: $1,735 (1-2 anglers)

Wilderness Helicopter Fishing (including flight): $3,240 (1-2 anglers)

Full-Day Guided Rafting and Fly Fishing: $2,527 (1-2 anglers)

Bookings are confirmed with a 50% deposit, made no later than seven days after booking a trip. Balance must be received no later than 90 days prior to the first day of the trip. Notification of cancellation must be received 90 days prior to the first day of the trip in order to receive partial or full credit for an alternate date. All payments are final and nonrefundable, with the exception of a medical or family emergency, deemed reasonable at Midcurrent’s discretion.

Booking a trip or making a deposit represents that the client accepts all terms and conditions. Midcurrent’s terms are in addition to any terms and conditions of each individual lodge that Midcurrent represents. Please read those terms carefully—lodge terms, which may differ from Midcurrent’s terms, supersede any agreements between Midcurrent and a client.

Get in touch today to start planning your next fly fishing adventure!

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