Ed Blank's Adventures Main Page

Canterbury and Central South Island:

The following is a list of  fly fishing guides in New Zealand specific to the area listed above.

We provide this information as a research tool for our clients, to help get a feel for what a particular guide is like. We can give you our input as well. You are free to book directly with the guide or through us, the price will be the same either way,  but we only get a small commission from the guide when you book through us.  So this is the honor system I guess. Also by booking with us you will qualify for frequent fisher discounts on your next trip!

Alan Campbell
Originally from the deep south, Alan has spent the last 25 years fly fishing and guiding in the Central South Island. Twizel (my home) is a great base to explore the numerous waters of the Mckenzie Basin and beyond. 10 years a member of the NZPFGA, the benchmark for professional fishing guides. I am a "retired" road racing cyclist having won a silver medal competing for New Zealand at the Oceanic Games in 1976 and racing in France for 6 full seasons. Many of my fishing clients come from France which is home away from home for me and a great place to escape the cold Twizel winters! 1 or 2 anglers is ideal to ensure the maximum personal attention. All flies self tied and sight fishing is always the preference.

Allan Kircher
Allan (or Al) brings a huge depth of experience to the Backcountry New Zealand guiding team based in the township of Methven, just one hour from Christchurch. Al has been hunting, fishing and exploring the backcountry since the early 70's. Al started fishing guiding in 1985 and has been consistently delivering high quality experiences ever since. Backcountry New Zealand provides visitors to New Zealand with quality angling and hunting experiences to suit their requirements. Backcountry NZ consists of guides with an intimate knowledge of both the East and West coast fisheries of the South Island. Fishing style is largely sight fishing for Brown and Rainbow Trout with increased opportunities for anglers with above average fitness abilities. Fishing is available during the months of October until April, and Backcountry New Zealand can provide quality equipment and accommodation packages to suit your requirements.

Bill Allison
Bill Allison is a fly fishing guide living in Lincoln Canterbury and/or Lake Brunner in Westland. Both regions are fished mainly for brown trout with only a few rainbow trout waters available. Helicopter headwater fishing for trophy trout is a very special type of experience that can be enjoyed during the main season from October to April. In Canterbury daily trips are offered on lakes, rivers and streams. In Westland only 3-5 day fishing tours are individually planned for the serious river fly fisherman. Accommodation can be arranged to suit. The full range of accommodation used being camping, home stay, motel, hotel or Country Lodges. Fishing is mostly a "boots and shorts" affair, requiring a little more fitness than usual. Waders and rods are not supplied but can be arranged or hired to suit a wide range of fishing conditions. Off season winter fishing from 1st June -31st September and in particular night fishing on the shores of Lake Coleridge may attract the trophy fisherman for large brown or rainbow trout and land lock salmon.

Chappie Chapman
Chappie Chapman guides out of Christchurch which is located in the central part of New Zealand's South Island. Chappie specialize in sight fishing for large brown and rainbow trout. In addition to guiding he can arrange your accommodation to suit your budget closer to the fishing if required, also arrange helicopter trips for true wilderness fly fishing to areas that rarely see other anglers. Chappie has two internationally recognised fly casting qualifications and runs regular classes or one-on-one private lessons. Come have a truly unforgettable fly fishing experience.

Dean Harrison
Dean (Deano) and Becs Harrison have the perfect place to start your South Island Fishing Adventure. Stay in 'The Loft' - a stylish fishy apartment at their home on 16 acres with a gin clear, spring-fed trout stream! Great fishing just minutes away from Christchurch! Get serious about catching that big brown trout with a Canterbury back country adventure by 4WD or helicopter, or check out the family cabin on the West Coast (all gear supplied), there are plenty of options. You won't be disappointed by Deano's uncanny knack for spotting fish! Enquire about fishing vehicles and gear hire for unaccompanied add on trips.

Graeme Marshall
Graeme Marshall is a long-standing NZPFGA member. Formerly based in the Nelson region Graeme now operates out of Pleasant Point in South Canterbury where he specialises in sight fishing on the Opihi and the streams and lakes of the McKenzie Country. He is also available for multi-day trips to his old haunts in the Nelson, North Canterbury and West Coast regions. Graeme is a well known angling author with titles such as Stalking Trout and Images of Silver to his name. He also caters for salmon anglers, particularly in the Rangitata and Rakaia rivers.

Grant Brown
Grant is located at Lake Tekapo village 250 kms from Christchurch and equi-distant to Queenstown. Specialising in wet nymph and dry fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout Grant guides on rivers within the localities of the Tekapo area, Mt Cook and Mackenzie Basin. Novices to experienced fisherpersons are welcome. Prefer 1-2 anglers maximum. The Mackenzie fly-fishing season is from the first Saturday in November until April 30th. Bed and Breakfast options are available at Creel House or with packages for fish and stay.

Ian Darwin
Ian has been fishing in New Zealand for over twenty years and guiding full-time for the last seven years. Ian has an intimate knowledge of fishing the Mackenzie Basin and finds his clients are better served by concentrating his guiding service to this area. Ian and Sandy (your hostess) own Aoraki Lodge www.aorakilodge.co.nz which is located in Twizel, our guests are accommodated in the lodge, and being the centre of the Mackenzie has clients on world class water in the hour. Most clients take advantage of the weekly package which includes transfer from Christchurch Airport and return, guiding, accommodation and meals.

Kevin Payne
Kevin is owner operator of Back Country Trout based close to Fairlie in the central South Island. Sight fishing to large trout is his specialty. Kevin is the only full time professional guide in this region and only guides his home patch so has extensive local knowledge and access to a varity of superb low pressured rivers containing both rainbow and brown trout. The towns of Lake Tekapo, Fairlie, Geraldine and Timaru will put you in Kevins' guiding range Most trips are by 4x4 and walk in and up to two anglers per guide. Other options, costs, are available.

Liam Taylor
Since his first steps Liam's playground has been the New Zealand outdoors, and his role of founding co-owner of Backcountry New Zealand guides allows this love for New Zealand to continue. This enduring relationship with the New Zealand wilderness and angling has taught Liam a lot about its fragile beauty, as well as the importance of respecting what nature can throw at us. Liam gets great satisfaction from seeing his clients gain the rewards that behold those who choose to experience the New Zealand backcountry. Backcountry New Zealand provides visitors to New Zealand with quality angling and hunting experiences to suit their requirements. Backcountry NZ consists of guides with an intimate knowledge of both the East and West coast fisheries of the South Island. Fishing style is largely sight fishing for Brown and Rainbow Trout with increased opportunities for anglers with above average fitness abilities. Fishing is available during the months of October until April, and Backcountry New Zealand can provide quality equipment and accommodation packages to suit your requirements.

Mark Walter
Mark Walter is now entering his 7th year as a member of the NZPFGA. Mark's clients of all fishing levels, have enjoyed what as they say GREAT fishing. Most of their brown and rainbow trout caught have been Sight Fished'. Salmon fishing is also an option. Based in Christchurch, the South Island, Mark offers fishing anywhere in the South, his adventures range from a half day up to 14 days. Mark supplies you with all the fishing gear you require. Sage rods, line, licence, food, drink, & 4WD transport, and will book your sleeping arrangements, from the basic to 5 star quality. All accommodation is located just minutes from the water.

Max Irons
Max has had 30 years experience fly fishing all the main Central South Island rivers streams and lake areas around the Southern Alps including Tekapo and the world renowned upper reaches of the Ahuriri River. Whilst in this amazing mountain scenery, enjoy the silence and solitude while tramping with ease in the uncrowded mountain areas. Experience a great advantage of fishing our High Country Rivers and streams that are not bush clad, making casting a breeze in the cyrstal clear waters. Now situated in the Christchurch area we can travel by 4 wheel drive or meet in the area of your choice, enjoying nymphing and dry fly fishing in these amazing areas. Walking can be minimal from the 4WD to these spots. maxsfishing@xtra.co.nz

Neil Goldie
Neil Goldie is a trout and salmon fishing guide based in Christchurch which is located in the central South Island of New Zealand. Neil has been hunting, fishing and exploring the Canterbury and Westland wildnerness since the mid 1970's and has an intimate knowledge of the wildnerness fisheries and the East Coast sea-run trout and salmon fisheries. While Neil is a specialist flyfishing guide he also has a high degree of expertise in spin fishing and jigging for both trout and salmon.
He specialises in sight fishing to large brown and rainbow trout in the rivers and lakes of Canterbury and Westland and caters for all experience levels of anglers, be they beginners or experts. Neil provides licences,lunches,light refreshments,4 wheel drive transport and can provide quality equipment such as G Loomis rods,Shimano reels,Simms waders and wading boots should clients require them. Fishing is available during the main season which starts on 1 October and ends on 30 April and the winter season which start on 1 June and ends on 30 September. each year.

Nigel Birt
Having worked professionally as a fly-fishing guide and instructor since 1988, his knowledge of the sport is outstanding. Now a founding co-owner of Backcountry New Zealand, Nigel was trained at an early age by professional guides and served his apprenticeship at a top New Zealand fishing lodge. Through his experiences Nigel has developed skills and knowledge that competes with New Zealand's bests, has been adventuring in the outdoors since the age of eight years old, and tying fishing flies since 12. Backcountry New Zealand provides visitors to New Zealand with quality angling and hunting experiences to suit their requirements. Backcountry NZ consists of guides with an intimate knowledge of both the East and West coast fisheries of the South Island. Fishing style is largely sight fishing for brown and rainbow trout with increased opportunities for anglers with above average fitness abilities. Fishing is available during the months of October until April, and Backcountry New Zealand can provide quality equipment and accommodation packages to suit your requirements.

Phil Stephenson
Living and recreating in New Zealand's mountains, Phil's life revolves around trout streams and snow covered Alps. Phil has always worked with the Backcountry New Zealand guiding team based in the township of Methven, just one hour from Christchurch. His knowledge of fishing and skiing, in combination with local familiarity of weather, history, and biogeography enables him to deliver informative and rewarding experiences. Backcountry New Zealand provides visitors to New Zealand with quality angling and hunting experiences to suit their requirements. Backcountry NZ consists of guides with an intimate knowledge of both the East and West coast fisheries of the South Island. Fishing style is largely sight fishing for brown and rainbow trout with increased opportunities for anglers with above average fitness abilities. Fishing is available during the months of October until April, and Backcountry New Zealand can provide quality equipment and accommodation packages to suit your requirements.

Steve Carey
Steve Carey is a dedicated fly-fisherman for over 30 yrs specialising in sight fishing, stalking, and spotting large rainbows and browns ... the most challenging and exciting form of flyfishing. The world class fishing, spectacular unspoilt alpine scenery, and the best summer weather in the South Island prompted me to make Twizel his home. All fishing trips are flexible and individually tailored to Steve's clients abilities and fitness. As a member of the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Assn steve believes strongly in their principles of advocating and protecting the interests of members and clients, and to promote professionalism, sportsmanship and conservation in the interests of angling.

Steve Gerard
Steve is based out of Methven in Mid Canterbury approx 1 hour west of Christchurch International Airport. A local to this area, he was brought up on the banks of the Rakaia River where fishing has been a family passion. Steve is a sight fishing specialist with the streams and rivers of Canterbury offering a diverse variety of fly fishing experiences from sheltered lowland to scenic backcountry, with good size brown and rainbow trout available and salmon in season. Most fishing is by 4x4 with a jet boat for salmon. In 10 seasons as a professional guide Steve has developed a reputation for delivering for his clients, with regular clients returning year after year. Methven is a busy winter ski town, with the summer period being the off season so there is a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets and activities for non fishing companions.