About Rotorua Trout Guide
Rotorua Trout Guide is a premium fly fishing guide service run by Julian Danby, a professional fishing guide based on the lakes and streams of the Rotorua district. With deep local knowledge of the region's internationally renowned trout fisheries, Julian offers personalised guided trips targeting rainbow and brown trout across a network of lakes, rivers, and backcountry streams.
Guided sessions cover fly fishing on rivers and lake edges, boat fishing charters on Lakes Rotorua, Tarawera, Okataina, Rotoiti, Rotoma, and several smaller lakes further afield. In summer, helifishing trips access remote wilderness fisheries that are impossible to reach by road. All gear is provided, and trips are tailored to the angler's experience level — from first-time fly casters to seasoned veterans chasing trophy fish in technical water.
What makes this service worth booking is the one-on-one format and Julian's willingness to adapt to conditions on the day. Rather than running a fixed itinerary, he reads the weather, water levels, and fish behaviour and takes clients to wherever the fishing is best that morning. The Rotorua lakes district has 16 fishable lakes within a short drive, which gives him options that guides in single-river destinations simply don't have. Catch rates reflect it.
