For the Angler Seeking the Ultimate Adventure
Fiordland's locally accessible rivers are good. Genuinely good. However there is another realm of Fiordland fly fishing which is wild, remote, and unforgettable—that every angler should experience at least once in their lifetime. Freestone rivers buried deep in the National Park, fed by glaciers and rain that falls on the surrounding mountain ranges, with no tracks in or out the only way to reach them is by helicopter.
This is heli fly fishing in Fiordland: trophy brown and rainbow trout in water that almost never sees a human footprint, fished with a guide who has spent over a decade learning which valleys hold fish and which days are worth the flight.
Enquire About Heli Fly Fishing - Click Here
Why Fly In
Every river within driving distance of Te Anau gets fished. Not heavily by world standards, but enough that the fish in popular pools have seen a fly before, and they behave accordingly — spooky, cautious, quick to bolt for cover.
Helicopter access changes the equation completely. It opens up river systems tucked into valleys with no road, no track, and no other anglers. Some of these rivers might see a handful of rods in an entire season. The trout in them have never been pricked by a hook or chased off a sighted line. They sit in open water in the middle of the day, completely unbothered, and they eat flies the way trout are supposed to.
For anglers who have already fished New Zealand's well-known waters — or who simply want the real backcountry experience from day one — this is the next level.
Heli Fly Fishing Fiordland
What a Heli Day Looks Like
You'll meet Chris in Te Anau in the morning. From there, the day is shaped by conditions — Chris has spent years tracking how Fiordland's weather moves through different valleys, and which catchments are running clear when others are blown out. That knowledge decides where the helicopter takes you.
A short flight — typically 15 to 30 minutes — lifts you over beech forest, waterfalls, and mountainsides with no trail through them, then sets you down beside water that looks like it hasn't changed since the last ice age. From there, it's exactly the same approach that makes Fiordland fishing special: walking, watching, and sight fishing to individual trout in gin-clear water. The difference is what's swimming in front of you, and how willing it is to eat.
You'll fish a full day on the river, with lunch taken streamside, before the helicopter returns to lift you back out in the afternoon. Some trips fish a single river system for the day; others combine a heli drop with a walk into a second beat, depending on the water and what the day allows.
Every heli day is built around the conditions on the ground — Chris will talk you through the plan, the likely river, and what to expect when you enquire.
What's Included
One-on-one guiding with Chris for the full day, including all the coaching, fly selection, and local knowledge that comes with 10+ years on these waters
Helicopter transport to and from the river (charged separately by the operator — see Pricing below)
Lunch, snacks, and water served streamside
Access to Chris's gear inventory including rods, reels, waders, and boots, if required
An experience most anglers never get close to — water with no angling history, in scenery that belongs in a film
Who This Is For
Heli fly fishing isn't a beginner add-on. It's a serious trip for serious anglers, and it suits a specific kind of traveller:
Experienced anglers who have fished hard elsewhere and want water that hasn't been touched. If you've fished the well-known rivers of New Zealand, Montana, or Patagonia and you're after something further out, this is built for you.
Anglers with the budget and the time to make the most of it. A heli day is the premium end of what Fiordland offers — it should be treated as the centrepiece of a trip, not an afterthought.
Anglers who are reasonably fit. Heli-access rivers often mean a day of walking and wading in remote, uneven terrain, well away from any form of help beyond your guide. A moderate level of fitness is expected.
Groups and solo anglers wanting an exclusive day. Because of the cost and logistics involved, heli days are typically booked by anglers who want the river — and Chris's full attention — to themselves.
If you're not sure whether a heli day is the right fit for your trip, get in touch and Chris will talk you through it honestly, including whether a full day wading might suit you just as well.
Pricing
Heli fly fishing is priced on enquiry. Costs depend on the river system, flight time, and number of anglers, and helicopter charter is charged separately from the guiding fee by the helicopter operator.
Get in touch with your preferred dates and number of anglers, and Chris will put together a heli day built around the conditions and a full cost breakdown — guiding, helicopter, and everything else included.
Rates do not include NZ fishing licence or gratuities. Waders and boots are available for hire if required.
Enquire for Pricing & Availability - Click Here
Booking a Heli Day
Helicopter availability depends on weather and the operator's schedule, so heli days need to be planned with some flexibility built in — ideally with a few possible dates rather than one fixed day. Chris will work with you to find a window during your trip when conditions and helicopter availability line up.
As with all guiding, Chris takes a maximum of 2 anglers per day. Heli days are in higher demand during December through February — enquire as early as possible if you're planning a trip in peak season.
Enquire About Your Heli Fly Fishing Trip - Click Here
Guided by Chris Reygaert
Chris has spent more than 10 years guiding in Te Anau and the wider Fiordland-Southland region, and holds full New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association (NZPFGA) membership. That experience matters most on heli days — knowing which remote catchments are worth the flight on any given day, after a westerly front or a week of rain, is the difference between a trip you'll talk about for years and an expensive flight to a blown-out river.
Learn more about Chris on the Home page
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous fly fishing experience for a heli trip? Heli trips suit anglers of most experience levels, but they're best suited to those who already have solid casting and wading ability, since the terrain and fishing are more demanding than roadside water. Chris can advise honestly on whether a heli day is the right call for your skill level when you enquire.
What's the difference between a heli day and a normal full day? A full day fishes Fiordland's road-accessible rivers and backcountry streams within driving distance of Te Anau. A heli day flies into river systems with no road or track access at all — water that sees a fraction of the angling pressure, with fish to match.
Can I book a heli trip as part of a multi-day stay? Yes. Many anglers combine a heli day with one or more full days of wading, giving you a mix of accessible water and a remote, once-in-a-lifetime day. Let Chris know when you enquire and he'll help structure your trip.
What happens if the weather doesn't allow flying? Helicopter access depends on weather. If conditions don't allow a safe flight, Chris will have a backup plan ready — typically a full day on one of Fiordland's excellent road-accessible rivers — so your day on the water isn't lost.
Is helicopter cost included in the guiding fee? No. Helicopter charter is billed separately by the helicopter operator, in addition to Chris's guiding fee. You'll receive a full breakdown of both costs when you enquire.