Night Fishing for Giant Rainbows: Pro Tips from NZ

With : hentonguiding

We caught up with Ben, one of those rare anglers who walks the line between laid-back Kiwi humility and razor-sharp competitive drive. He’s not your typical full-time guide—he’s a mechanical engineer by trade—but when word gets out, folks know who to call. Between chasing monster rainbows under moonlight and gearing up for the World Fly Fishing Championships in the Czech Republic, Ben sat down with us to talk passion, patience, and what it really takes to fish at the top level.

Ben, as a member of the New Zealand Fly Fishing Team for 2025, can you tell us how you first got into fly fishing and what drew you to the sport?

I first got into flyfishing when I was 10years old. My dad would often go fly fishing at night in winter time to spots that were flyfishing only so as a young spin fisherman this was not on having to sit and watch. I took up flyfishing and have been obsessed ever since.

What has your journey been like, Ben, transitioning from a passionate angler to a guiding career, and what has been one of the most memorable moments you've experienced while guiding others?

I’m not a full time guide, I’m actually a mechanical engineer. But I guide from word of mouth. I think the most memorable was when I helped guide at a retreat called “reel recovery” they give people suffering or have suffered or had to deal with cancer a chance to have an amazing weekend fly fishing, relaxing and meet some lovely people with similar stories. Getting these guys into some fish and seeing the fire being lit was priceless.

Ben, we’ve heard you’re an expert at chasing giant rainbows at night—what are 3 tips you’d share for targeting these fish in the dark?

Night fishing requires a lot of patience and time to really get in the zone. It’s where I first started fly fishing when I was 10 years old, I fished for a whole winter season when I first started doing it with no fish. Once I got the first fish I was away. I think it came down to casting distance. You also have to rely on feel a lot with your casting. You have to be able to change tactics if things aren’t working. Leader length is quite crucial, keeping the fly in front of the fishes mouths. I like to fish two flies and a floating line so I have the ability to slow the retrieve right down if I want to. If things are still not happening I will move to a different spot.

Being part of the New Zealand Fly Fishing Team is no small feat. What specific techniques or strategies did you focus on to reach this level, and how have they shaped your approach to guiding?

When I first joined the competitive fly fishing world my eyes were opened to how much more I could learn from this sport. In the first year I probably excelled my learning by 20years. Competition fly fishing is on another level and people dive into every little aspect. I loved it, and I was like a sponge soaking up the knowledge off guys that were veterans at the sport. Fast forward a few years with some consistent results, I managed to get selected into the Team. I take all these learnings into guiding and will tell the client the way I think they should best approach each fish. Competition flyfishing isn’t just euro nymphing, it’s dry fly, wet lining, emergers a combination of all styles to get the best result.

What's next for you, Ben? Any upcoming adventures or goals you're working toward in the world of fly fishing?

What’s next, well for me I’m gearing up for the world fly fishing championships, in the Czech Republic in May this year. It’s close now so preparing and getting as much practice in before we fly out as possible! I’m Looking forward to this as it’s my first worlds. Will be a great experience. Nz only sends a team every 2 years so we’re hoping this will be a good one