• Fly fishing guide Adam Priest offers professional guided fly fishing services in the Taranaki and Taupo regions of New Zealand.

    Adam is a qualified, fully accredited New Zealand Professional Fishing Guide Association member.

    www.fishingguides.co.nz

    Solid spawning run rainbow displayed by Adam Priest, Tongariro river, Taupo and Taranaki fly fishing guide.

    About Your Guide

    Adam grew up fly fishing the rivers, streams and lakes of New Zealand where he developed a passion for this recreation and a keen interest in ecology.

     

    Adam first fly fished the Taupo region and Tongariro river as a teenager and has since developed an excellent knowledge of the area and learned the best fly fishing techniques to catch fish.

     

    Over the years Adam has been employed in many guiding roles within the tourism industry, these roles include heli-fly fishing guide for the famous Cedar Lodge (Makarora,NZ) in which he guided many high profile clients, guide for extended camel treks (central and southern Australia) and Interpretive whale watching guide (Head of Bight, South Australia).

     

    More recently Adam has been employed as an adventure caving guide and Interpretive Officer for the Department of Environment, Water, and Natural Resources (Kangaroo Island, South Australia).

     

    Adam has written fly fishing articles that have been published in reputable magazines such as Flylife and New Zealand Fish and Game.

     

    Through his experiences Adam has developed a detailed knowledge of the natural world around him.

    He possesses an intricate understanding of seasons, geographical and ecological factors crucial for planning successful days of fly fishing on the river or lake.

     

    Adam takes his role as guide seriously and is dedicated to maximising your angling experience.

     

    Adam has other hobbies which include salt water fly fishing, fly tying, snow skiing and surfing.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Client Comments

    Anglers have their say

    George Sinelnik displays his  Taranaki  small stream 5.5lb rainbow before releasing, this fish  fought hard and jumped many times!

    George Sinelnik, Montana, USA

    02/02/2018

    Hey Adam, Thanks for the great photos and a very memorable days fishing in New Zealand. Already planning a return visit.

    Another small stream, another big fish. Happy angler Gerard Gervaise shows  off his 5.5lb brown trout before releasing

    Gerard Gervaise, Qld, Australia

    26/01/2018

    "My day fishing with Adam in the Taranaki region of New Zealand was one of the best fishing days of my life. Adam was very particular of the integrity of my line, changing flies often until the right one would deliver. Above all the fish did not seem to have been under a lot of pressure previously...I'll be back"

    Angler Jack Alvernaz, October 2018

    Jack Alvernaz, California, USA

    23/10/2018

    "Wow!!! That is the first comment that I'd like to make regarding my recent fly fishing trip with Adam Priest! What an adrenaline rush to hook, catch or lose a hard fighting darting up river running trout.

    I hadn't fished for quite sometime due to some unfortunate circumstances. Adam couldn't have been more helpful and understanding as I regained my confidence and river legs. Fella know his stuff and I learned plenty, as well as enjoyed his packed lunches and drinks prior to returning promptly to the absolutely phenomenal fishing. I caught and released some incredible fish like none other in my life! I am planning my next trip with Adam as i'm writing this. Thanks Adam for a remarkable experience and see you soon I hope!

    Dan de Jong with his first trout of the day November 2018

    Dan de Jong, Tasmania, Australia

    4/11/2018

    "Adam had great local knowledge and experience in the area and was a pleasure to fish with. We caught plenty of trout and had a unforgettable day. I would definitely recommend Adam as a guide to anyone wanting to fly fish in New Zealand."

    Angler Kevin Atwood with a big Tongariro river brown caught on about the 4th cast off the day! Taupo  fly fishing guides

    Kevin Atwood, USA

    4/4/2019

    “Adam is an excellent guide and knows how to put you on the fish. I had my best day of fly fishing ever, a big brown and many large rainbows. He’s a fun companion and was very patient! I’m looking forward to my next trip.”

    Scott White hooked up to a solid Tongariro river Rainbow! www.guidedflyfishtataranaki.com

    Scott White, Texas, USA

    20/06/2019

    "My time with Adam fishing on the Tongariro was the highlight of my New Zealand vacation. He was punctual, well organized, patient, encouraging, engaged, excited about each and every catch, and had a fishing itinerary that was perfect. He instantly put me on some beautiful water with big fish and kept up the pressure all day long. It is obvious that he genuinely enjoys guiding. Outside of fishing, Adam is a wealth of knowledge about flora, fauna, and cultural issues. All-in-all, it was a perfect day spent with a great guy."

    Scott White hooked up to a solid Tongariro river Rainbow! www.guidedflyfishtataranaki.com

    Rob Warren, Founder and prior owner Bighorn River Country Lodge Montana

    7/1/2020

    "Adam I wanted to let you know what a great time I had fishing with you in Taranaki and Turangi. I was struggling with the decision of whether I wanted to get a guide in New Zealand, being a guide in Montana for fifteen years made me feel like I shouldn't need a guide trout fishing. I'm sure glad I found you on the internet, saw our similar interests of fly fishing and surfing, which made me know we would have a good time. Not only did you put me in front of big beautiful trout constantly, but you were actually teaching me some different styles of fishing and techniques, something I wasn't expecting. Teaching an old dog some new tricks I was impressed. I will be back to stalk and catch some more big browns and rainbows with you sooner than you think."

    Thanks again Rob Warren Founder and prior owner Bighorn River Country Lodge Montana- 7/1/2020

    Big Taranki rainbow trout for Chris www.guidedflyfishtataranaki.com

    Chris Morrell, Owner, High Alpine Guiding Services, Jacksons Hole, Wyoming

    7/3/2023

    "Fished with Adam in March of 2023. I am a fly fishing guide myself so I know a great guide when I see one! I had an absolute blast with Adam. We caught a bunch of beautiful rainbows and browns. He is a consummate professional and will put a ton of effort into putting you on fish and maximizing your time on the water. First time fishing with him and I will 100% be back soon."

  • Taupo and Tongariro river Fly Fishing

    Guided Fly Fishing the Taupo region of the north island with guide Adam Priest

    Coloured up jack rainbow. Taupo and Turangi are excellent bases to explore these waters. Fly fishing guide Adam Priest.

    Fly fish the famous waters of the Tongariro river and Taupo region.

     

    Great Lake Taupo is the second largest lake in Oceania and since the release of trout in the late 1800s the Lake and its tributaries have proven itself to be one of the best trout fisheries in the world. Wether its to fish for resident fish during the summer months or to fish the spawning run during the winter, much of the waters are open year round and the fishing is excellent. The Average size trout is about three pound though many trout weighing over the magical ten pound are caught every year.  

    Click on picture to visit Taranaki site

    Guided Fly Fishing Taranaki

    Click on picture opposite or above to visit Taranaki site

    Adam also guides in the Taranaki region (to the west) of New Zealand.

     

    The Taranaki region offers an excellent uncrowded, unpressured fly fishing experience compared to many regions of New Zealand these days. Much of the fishing is small stream sight fishing. Visit the Taranaki site for more info and rates.
  • Rates, Options

    2023-24 Season

    The best way to make contact over winter 2023 will be via email as I am traveling in Australia

    Full Day 7.30am - 4.30pm

    * NZ$850 for one angler

    *NZ$900 for two anglers

     

    Price Includes:

     

    Guide

    Lunch, light refreshments, juice tea and coffee

    All fishing equipment including wader hire

    Environmental interpretation

    Cultural interpretation

    Digital photos available if requested

    Casting instruction

    *New Guiding operators licence (Taupo waters)

     

    Multi Day (two consecutive full days)

    *NZ$1550 for one or two anglers

     

    Taranaki, Waikato link package

    *NZ$1800 for one or two anglers

     

    Price includes:

     

    Full Day on a Taupo river

    Half Day on a south Waikato river

    Full Day on a Taranaki river

    Note- This package can start in either the Taranaki or Taupo regions but is not a return trip. It is a good way to get around and see some different parts of the country. Return trips can be arranged at extra cost.

     

    Guided Raft Fishing (8.00am to 5.00pm approx)

     

    Tongariro River​

    *From NZ$1400 for two anglers

     

    Whakapapa River

    *From NZ$1500 for two anglers 

     

     

    Additional cost Doc fishing licence- Adult NZ$25 per day

     

    Contact Adam for other options and trips to other regions that can be arranged and personalised to your needs.

  • Contact

    We'll respond as soon as possible.

    Lake Taupo
    027 503 8335 or +64 27 503 8335 (from overseas)