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Rafting - Camping trips

Overnight river rafting/camping trips are a great way to enjoy the rivers if New Zealand. When weather conditions suit, riverside camping is a magic experience, bringing the natural beauty of the river, superb fly fishing, great food, and timeless camaraderie together into a memorable back country experience. During our descent, we fly fish distant and private pools for sizable rainbows and browns, or hike a remote mountain tributary, stalking the pools along the way. River corridors are lined with native bush, giving a primeval feel to the experience.

These are self contained descents of 2- 5 days. All camping gear, food and personal gear is carried in the raft. With this option, the amount of gear we can carry is restricted by the carrying capacity of the raft, and anglers will need to be judicious in what they bring along. In addition to a gear checklist we send to you when you book one of these river trips, a pre-trip briefing, the night before is very useful in helping anglers bring essential, but not excessive gear, which will be stowed in a waterproof bag which we provide. Your rod and reel will be carried in the same protective tube we use for the single day trips.

For clothing, a good system is to have a couple of sets of day clothes, using layers to achieve flexibility in warmth, and a set of camp clothes, reserved for fair weather camping. No bathing or toilet facilities exist on these trips. A 'sponge bath', with a 'hot towel' is refreshing, and clothing worn directly next to the body (underwear/sox) can be replaced daily. Other clothing should be reused due to space and weight restrictions.

Most of these river trips are in mountainous areas, and the weather can be changeable. We provide all camping gear including mountaineering tents and sleeping bags good to -10 degrees C. When weather is changeable, we carry a canvas lean to shelter, when placed in front of an open fire, provides Relaxing in camp, during a 5 day rafting descent. nearly 20 square meters of under cover living area. With the proper clothing and equipment, a high degree of comfort can be achieved, even in questionable weather. A full weather briefing is obtained before the river trip, and each night by two way radio.

During the daytime, rafting descent and fishing can take place much the same as for single-day rafting-fishing trips. At the end of the day, we raft to a suitable spot for camping and set up a comfortable camp. Anglers are not expected to carry out camp chores, giving you plenty of time for fishing around camp, which can be rewarding and enjoyable.

Our back country menu has been developed over the years to provide maximum calories with minimum volume, without sacrificing flavor. Breakfast options include Rangitikei French Toast, Muesli Yogurt and Fruit, Toasted Bacon & Egg Pie. Lunches are casual and include, Fresh Fruit, Gorp (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts), Rafter Jack's Home Cured Jerky, Crackers and Cheese, and leftovers from the night before. Dinner is the main feed of the day. Each night we serve fresh vegetables and such main courses as Chicken Cacciatore on Fresh Pasta, Shrimp Creole over Rice, Rangitikei Chili, Marinated Steak and Baked Potato, and Lamb Curry. Most evenings, Hors d'oeuvres are served before dinner. Drinks provided are filtered water, tea & coffee, some fruit juice and a glass or two of wine at dinner. Water is the primary beverage, space and weight restrictions make beer and soft drinks impractical.

Vegetarian specialties are also available for those meatless diet requirements like Vegetarian Chili, Pasta with Marinara Sauce and more. Anyone with such special dietary requirements will need to let us know in advance. This is important.

For those wishing to drink finer wines, you may choose to bring your own along. Spirits can also be brought along, this too, is a bring your own idea. Both of these we can organize for you on location, at your request. We will provide non breakable containers for any wine or spirits you wish to bring along.

Narrow passages and steep gradient.
Rafting on some trips involves substantial rapids, adding an intensity to the descent, other trips involve only gentle grade 2+ rapids. Our rafting operation is a pioneer in risk management, where anglers never ride through major rapids. Our knowledge and experience of nearly 20 years, guarantee anglers the maximum envelope of safety possible.

Those who have experienced multi-day river trips will already have a taste for the delights these descents can bring.
For those who have not yet lived a few days on the river, we invite you to join us for a memorable back country experience. Make an inquiry, it is likely we have a river trip just for you.

 
Ed Blank's Adventures Main Page

PO BOX 180446  BOSTON  MA 02118
Phone: 888-857-6700  
Fax: 617-427-7890
ed@flyfishingheaven.com