Ed Blank's Adventures Main Page

Traditional Guiding

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Traditional Guiding is the basic guiding service we and other outfitters offer. Fly fishing venues are varied, from slow moving spring creek type fisheries, with 3 - 6 pound browns, to larger freestone rivers, holding rainbows and browns 2 - 5+ pounds. Our district is favorably endowed with numerous and varied fly fishing rivers. We boast over 40 fishing 'beats' within reasonable driving distance.

This is the traditional type of guiding where stream access is by vehicle and hiking (or helicopter). Typically we move up a stream, together, spotting trout as we go. Once a trout is sighted, an approach is planned and the shot taken (cast made). If spotting conditions are not conducive to spotting fish, we may make prospective casts into likely water.

Stalking is the most intense fly fishing experience available. New Zealand is without a doubt, the best place on earth to stalk or hunt individual trout. The rivers are extremely clear, and the trout are generally large and not numerous. This formula is superb and maximally conducive to stalking type fishing. Anglers travel from the most distant corners of the planet to experience our trout fishing, and this is the reason.

In stalking, we attempt to remove all luck from the process.

Stalking a spring creek requires concentration. Teamwork, spotter and angler.
In stalking, everything becomes deliberate. In theory, you go to the right place at the right time, find an individual trout without being detected, assess the situation and make the correct cast. In theory, one trout found, one cast made one trout landed. I would stress the 'in theory' part, because all kinds of stuff goes awry. Stalking is a very interesting, challenging and often amusing process, involving a high degree of skill and patience. This process lends itself to a team approach, and New Zealand trout fishing guides are world renowned as superior 'spotters' able to see trout under difficult conditions and guide their clients to success.

It is for this reason, that many anglers avail themselves to our guiding expertise. Only in a few other circumstances does a guide make so much difference to the angling potential.

Although highly skilled anglers are best able to succeed at this type of fly fishing, it is our art as fishing guides to provide each angler, regardless of skill level, a maximum of opportunity to succeed, by matching angler ability with the fishing situation. In Traditional Guiding, we endeavor to provide clear water sight fishing, or stalking, whenever possible. It is the type of fly fishing New Zealand is best know for. It involves a maximum degree of skill and a minimum degree of luck.
Many streams have relatively few fish in them, and considerable distance needs to be covered, to access a reasonable number of opportunities. Some fisheries have numerous trout in them, and less distance needs to be covered. We have few lakes as options, virtually all our fishing is in moving water. How strenuous a days walking is, can be adjusted to suit your fitness. In general, the better prepared you are to walk, the more trout fishing you will access!

WITH A PACK: In our district there are a few places where it can be advantageous to put on a pack and stay overnight, or even two nights. This is a wilderness experience, and recommended for physically fit anglers seeking the back country prospects of unpressured trout. This type of guiding can be coupled with helicopter access to reach the most remote areas. We can provide all gear needed for anglers traveling light. If this idea interests you, make an inquiry.

If the idea of hunting up and decisively deceiving some big New Zealand trout with us interests you, have a look at prices.

 
Ed Blank's Adventures Main Page

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