While it is not necessary to fly by helicopter to experience great fly fishing at Poronui Ranch, a flight into the surrounding mountains is the ultimate exhilarating experience for the dedicated angler. You can expect to find idyllic fishing waters, wonderful wild trout and magnificent scenery. Two helicopters are based at Poronui Ranch. The pilots have an intimate knowledge of the mountain canyons, gullies and streams. They skillfully deposit guests, guides and equipment into otherwise daunting terrain.

The remote mountain freestone streams offer an opportunity for the classic fly fishing experience of stalking and sightcasting to trophy browns and rainbows in shallow, clear water. Here anglers can expect to fish in seclusion and cast to resident wild fish that have rarely seen a dry fly.

Helicopter fly-outs have the advantage of providing our guests with a huge variety of angling opportunities every day of the season.

When fishing conditions get tough in the lower waters (for example, after rains, or early in the season when river levels may be too high) the mountain headwaters are often in pristine condition. The helicopters get anglers to these superior conditions effortlessly and quickly.

Some of these smaller mountain catchments offer very easy walking along grassy banks with shallow wading between quiet pools and runs. Here a big dry fly floated through a riffle will usually induce a dramatic take.

A longer flight by helicopter deep into the mountains will uncover some of the most legendary and challenging fly fishing in New Zealand. These are trophy waters where huge trout cautiously cruise in deep clear pools. These fish are generally not easy to catch - the angling can be technically difficult - demanding stealth, knowledge of the current, and accuracy of your cast. But when all these factors combine, the reward is likely to be the catch of a lifetime.