Chasing Tail Adventures is a guided fly fishing and canal fishing outfit based in Twizel, in the heart of the Mackenzie District of New Zealand's South Island — south of Christchurch and not far north of Queenstown, in a region with some of the best trout fishing in the world. The business is led by experienced New Zealand Professional Fly Fishing Guide Brad Snow and his team, who are obsessed with fishing this beautiful region and dedicated to giving every client the best possible trout fishing experience in New Zealand.
Their adventures cover the full spectrum of Mackenzie Country fishing. Single and multi-day backcountry fly fishing trips (October–April, with a winter option) target wild rainbow and brown trout on stunning waters like the Ahuriri and Tekapo Rivers, Lakes Bemore and Dunstan, and many other remote and special locations. Year-round canal fishing adventures use techniques like egg rolling to pursue the world-famous trophy trout of the Twizel and Tekapo hydro canals — the big game fishing version of trout fishing. For newcomers, fly fishing classes with patient instructors welcome novices and experts alike, and multi-day trips can include overnight stays in tents on the river, in fishing cabins, or at a luxury fishing lodge.
Twizel itself is a big part of the appeal: the scenery is incredible, there are more trout and fewer anglers than almost anywhere else in New Zealand, and the braided rivers and lake edges make walking and wading easier for people of all ages and abilities. Enquiries are usually answered within 24–48 hours, and the team is happy to answer questions and help plan your dream NZ fishing trip.
In the South Island of New Zealand — south of Christchurch and not far north of Queenstown — you'll find some of the best trout fishing in the world. Chasing Tail Adventures is a guided fishing outfit based in Twizel, in the heart of the Mackenzie District, led by experienced New Zealand Professional Fly Fishing Guide Brad Snow and his team. They are obsessed with fishing this beautiful region, and their goal for every client is the same: the best possible trout fishing experience New Zealand can deliver.
For anglers chasing stunning trout in remote locations seen by fewer anglers, the backcountry fly fishing adventures run from October to April, with a winter option available. These single and multi-day trips target wild rainbow and brown trout on truly stunning waters — the Ahuriri and Tekapo Rivers, Lakes Bemore and Dunstan, and many other remote and special locations. The gallery on the website tells the story: giant browns held up against alpine backdrops, summer dry fly fishing near Queenstown, and fish about to swim free after the photo.
Multi-day adventures take things further. You can stay overnight in tents on the river, in fishing cabins, or at a luxury fishing lodge, waking up minutes from water most anglers never see. And because the region's braided rivers and lake edges make walking and wading easier for people of all ages and abilities, this is one of the more approachable world-class fisheries you'll find anywhere.
If the backcountry is about solitude and wild fish, the Twizel and Tekapo hydro canals are about scale. These world-famous waters hold some of the biggest trout in the world, and canal fishing adventures run year-round. Brad's unique approach and methods for trophy canal trout fishing — techniques like egg rolling — make this, in his words, the big game fishing version of trout fishing. The results speak for themselves: the gallery includes a 30 pound rainbow trout landed with the team, along with giant browns taken night fishing in Twizel.
Whether you have a single day or a full week, a shot at a genuine trophy is always on the table.
Never held a fly rod? Or a seasoned angler wanting to sharpen up? The Learn to Fly Fish classes are designed for novices and experts alike. Patient instructors help you learn the sport and, hopefully, begin a lifelong enjoyment of it. Lessons run all year, with lake fishing in the winter months. Winter visitors should also watch for Cast & Blast packages, coming soon and valid May to August.
Booking is designed to be simple. A real-time availability calendar shows which dates Brad has free, and the team strongly recommends securing your dates as soon as possible, because they do get booked up. If you're not quite ready to book, send an enquiry — you'll usually hear back within 24 to 48 hours with answers and help planning your dream New Zealand fishing trip.
The experience itself is personal. Brad works with each client individually, identifying early what you're capable of, with the goal of helping you reach — then exceed — that potential. He pushes, he motivates, and whether you're in Twizel or Tekapo for a day or a week, you're fishing with someone genuinely dedicated to these waters.
Twizel's case is easy to make: incredible scenery, more trout and fewer anglers than almost anywhere else in New Zealand, and easier walking and wading for all ages and abilities. It's a true fishing mecca, and Chasing Tail Adventures would be delighted to show you the place they're blessed to call home.