Check out Brett Pauly's article about Kiwi Reel Rifle in ESPN Outdoors.

Touring and Fishing New Zealand with Kiwi Reel & Rifle December 1999 thru January 2000

Jennifer and Steve Condren, Michelle Maynard and Dave Chase, Massachusetts, USA.

Our 2-week trip was planned and gradually developed with Kevin over a period of 18 months. This extended time frame was our choice; it enabled us to coordinate 4 vacation schedules. However, short time frames are not a problem. We have friends who heard what we were doing, didn’t want to wait and put together a 3 week guided trip for the spring 1999 (New Zealand Autumn) in 2 months. If Kevin’s got the time block, he can work fast.

The four of us wanted to combine site-seeing that included day cruises and a glacier helicopter ride with fishing, kayaking, jet boating, hiking and camping, both back-country and motor home, into our two week time frame. Although our plans included a lot of different activities, once we agreed on an agenda, Kevin planned and organized everything before we arrived and then made sure everything went smoothly once we got into the program. Our needs and expectations, from fish to fun, were fulfilled. We experienced some of the most beautiful parts of the world.

Our trip began with a day of preparation, and included gathering some things we needed but didn’t bring we us. Based on Kevin’s advice we were able to purchase supplies from the local merchants in Te Anau. Prices were very reasonable due to the favorable exchange rate of US to New Zealand dollars.

Our trip began with a two day kayaking trip across Lake Te Anau with one overnight of camping on the lakeshore. Kevin made sure we knew enough about kayaking, none of us had kayaked before, by training us himself during the summer of 1999. We felt comfortable and confident on the lake. We stopped overnight at Camp Bay, which was a beautiful spot, but looking back should have gone on to Safe Cove to better split the two-day kayaking effort.

The next five days and four nights were spent hiking part of the Milford Track, camping and fly fishing the Clinton River. This is one of the most beautiful areas and rivers that we’ve ever seen. Plenty of big fish in the river but the fishing is not easy. The water is cold and so clear and clean that we drank right from the river. The drawback to this is it gives the fish a good view of the fisherman. Kevin coached us well, taught us to site the fish and properly stalk and fish to them. We all hooked into fish, landed some beauties and lost some others. Bring heavy leaders. We started with 5x tippet and ended up with 4x and the fish still broke off. When the flies we brought with us didn’t seem to be working, Kevin had a good supply of the local favorites that the fish recognized. We hooked into fish with both nymphs and dry flies.

Take heed, the sand flies (black flies) are for real. Bring bug suits, repellant, gloves and clothing to cover as much skin as possible. Following Kevin’s recommendations for wearing polypropylene helped a lot. However, the flies find and bite any exposed skin. Kevin’s private stock of bug juice helped but did not solve our dilemma.

We brought our own fishing and wading gear, sleeping pads and bags. However, once we got underway, all food, (three meals a day, brew (tea and coffee) and snacks) and all other camping gear and supplies were provided by Kiwi Reel & Rifle. We did not go hungry at any time during our trip. Some of us even complained that we gained weight!

We hiked out, caught the boat back to Te Anau, and started the site seeing and motor home camping. Kevin arranged accommodations at Bob and Nancy’s Bed and Breakfast, before the start of our trip and during the transition from camping to motor home. Bob and Nancy were wonderful, made us feel at home and fed us wonderful gourmet meals. Kevin’s cooking on the trail was very good but as we told him, “Kevin, you’re good but you’re not Nancy”. Bob and Nancy kind of spoiled us.

The country is beautiful. We toured both Milford and Doubtful sound. Took a helicopter to Totuko Glacier, camped and fished along the Eglinton River. We rented a motor home and toured some of the south island that included a visit to the Mount Cook area, some jet-boat access salmon fishing on the Rakai River. Don and Jody, our jet boat captain and fishing guides were wonderful hosts during the two days we spent with them.

We had a vacation of a lifetime in New Zealand thanks to Kevin’s preparations, knowledge of the area, expertise in any outdoor activity, as well as his fun and easy-going approach. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. When we return to New Zealand we’ll definitely be booking all arrangements through Kiwi Reel & Rifle.