Aotearoa:
The Land of the Long White Cloud.
“The origin of this term sits in tribal narratives—and while interpretations differ, Polynesian explorer Kupe’s voyage of discovery is at its center. It is said that Kupe’s wife Hine te apārangi first spotted signs of land when arriving in New Zealand for the first time, crying out “He ao! He ao! He ao tea roa!” meaning, ‘A cloud! A cloud! A long white cloud!’ As an expert navigator herself, Hine te Apārangi knew that such a cloud formation heralds land underneath. So became the Land of the Long White Cloud—Aotearoa.”
Is Aotearoa home to the best trout fishery in the world? We certainly think so but why don’t you come fish with us and find out for yourself?
Who We Are.
Proudly facilitating angling adventures throughout the south island and the world for over 13 years.
The Options.
We specialise in customised, south island fly fishing experiences. From simple, full and half day guided excursions to the classic Kiwi road trip and multi-day backcountry adventures. We also organise and host fly fishing trips to some of the best angling destinations on the planet. Check out our hosted travel page for more details on these adventures!
The Seasons.
Spring.
September-November. Many of our brown trout fisheries open on the first of October each year. Followed by what is know as the “high country opener” during the first week of November. The high country opener often marks the start of the season on rivers that have large populations of rainbow trout which are spring spawners. Spring is a time of renewal and this goes for the fishing as well…..
Summer.
December - February. By December the focus begins to switch from standard river fodder such as mayfly and caddis to the abundant terrestrial insects that inhabit the river valleys of New Zealand’s South Island. Beetles, small hopers, blowflies and the main event…. cicadas! The days are their longest and the rivers are their lowest. It’s what we call brochure fly fishing…..
Autumn.
March-May. The wind down. This is a pleasant time of year and in our opinion the most underrated of the entire season. The shorter days and cooler temps signal another change which is always a positive. Fish begin to start moving back into the smaller streams and tributaries from the lakes and larger waterways. The cooler temperatures trigger some of the most prolific…..
Winter.
June-August. What off season? Although the end of April marks the closing day of many lowland streams and May 31st the closing of the high country this is still New Zealand and there is always somewhere to target trout. The winter is an excellent time of year to break out the double hand rods, work on nymphing techniques and single hand streamer tactics. ….
Fishing for Compliments.
There are great guides, and then there are great guides you’d like to spend a week with. Jeff Forsee is one of the later.
Ross Purnell, Editor - Flyfisherman Magazine
“Jack is a master of his craft in all regards, and is a true class act of a human being. He communicates well, is patient, and can spot fish like no other. He put me on some truly beautiful fish, and was both a great guide as well as companion for my day on the water.”
John Kottal, USA.
Meet The Team.
Just a couple of dudes doing dude stuff.
Jack and Jeff first crossed paths back in 2017 when Jack showed up on a guided trip with his dad Brian. The three of them marched into the backcountry for a few days and then and there began a relationship built on fly fishing, adventures, big dreams, an overzealous appreciation of quality outdoor gear and a whole lot of laughter. Recognizing the potential for a great working partnership, they decided to join forces, driven by their shared goal of guiding others to live their best lives through fly fishing, travel, and adventure.
Jeff.
Jeff Forsee was born and raised in Southern Ohio where he caught his first fish at an age too young to remember. The passion started then and there and has fuelled a life of fishing adventures since. Although his heart and home are in the mountains he holds no bias towards species or water and is on a personal crusade to experience as much as the fishing world has to offer. With a passion for adventure and an insatiable curiosity for what lies beneath he has found himself in some of the most remote and exotic corners of the earth with a fly rod in his hand.
Jeff cut his teeth as a fishing guide on the banks of the Kanektok river, working for the famed Deneki Outdoors’ Alaska West camp. In pursuit of perpetual summer and the endless season he has spent over a decade guiding in the northern and southern hemispheres. Jeff operates Aotearoa Anglers on the South Island of New Zealand, home to some of the world’s best trout fishing. He has also been a long time head guide at Mongolia River Outfitters, who lead wilderness float trips targeting the largest salmonid on the planet, the taimen.
Jeff is also a passionate photographer and has contributed to and been featured in many fly fishing publications, television shows and films around the world. He believes in sharing his experiences and hopes to encourage others on their journey in fly fishing. He is on the pro staff for Scott Fly Rods and Hatch Outdoors. He also volunteers for Casting for Recovery in the south of New Zealand and is a member of the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association.
Jack.
Jack is an avid outdoors person and a gregarious character who takes every opportunity to explore and spend time in the great outdoors. Jack's fixation with fly fishing is intertwined with an obsession for the natural world and when asked about his favourite experiences, they are ones that are immersed in immensely beautiful & wild places and enjoyed with good people.
Jack was introduced to fishing in the same way many people have been, at a young age through their Dad. Jack has been fortunate enough to continue his passion for fly fishing through his adult and professional life and continues to share many fishing experiences with his Dad, Brian.
Jack’s obsession with nature took him from his home town in Sydney, Australia to New Zealand where he shaped his life around the outdoor and guiding industry. Jack developed and honed guiding skills as a canyoning, rock climbing and mountaineering guide throughout New Zealand, Nepal and most recently in the Snowy Mountains of Australia as a trout guide. Whilst Jack is a hands on kind of lad, he is also a skilful business person, professionally trained at Queenstown Resort College in Tourism Management and a further career in Major Infrastructure as a Stakeholder engagement consultant.
Jack now lives on the edge of Lake Hāwea with his Wife, Lexy and German Short Haired Pointer, Rue. Jack and Jeff can almost always be found on a river somewhere or working hard to conjure up some of the best fly fishing experiences they can imagine.