Central North Guiding

09/12/2024

12/11/2024

Some fish are just different... this is one of those fish...

Not all brown trout are the same. Each one has a different pattern/color scheme depending on a few factors, their spots are much like a human fingerprint. Each having their own unique markings.
Some are jaw dropping.

Fishing for brown trout is more than just casting and hoping for a fish to take the fly... although it does happen.

It's easier described as hunting.
You are stalking the river edge slowly, step by step scanning every inch of the water looking for a likely shape/figure. Every step should be taken slowly hoping not to knock a rock or take a poor step and spook them before you even get the chance to cast.

I was lucky enough to spot this fish just sitting behind a rock. I made a decent cast at the fish, it notices my large dry fly floating past. It slowly rises up and engulfes my fly... i set the hook an feel the line come tight, IT'S ON.

06/10/2024

KIA ORA team im Josh, owner/guide of Central North Guiding.

Im a dedicated fly fisher whose passion for the craft is matched by my commitment to this line of work. With a deep seated love for the sport, i have decided to pursue my passion and turn it into a career. For me, fly fishing is more than just a hobby or a job, it's a way of life... I live to be on or around the water. If im not on the water, i sure am dreaming of it.

Welcome to Central North Guiding, your top destination for fly fishing adventures in the Central North Island of New Zealand.
Founded by passionate fly fisherman Josh, our business is dedicated to providing exceptional guiding services and unforgettable experiences on our region’s pristine waterways. Whether you're an experienced angler seeking new challenges or a beginner eager to learn the art of fly fishing, Central North Guiding offers personalized trips, expert instruction, and unparalleled access to some of the most scenic and bountiful fishing spots in the area.
Join Josh a NZPFGA Registered guide to explore the stunning landscapes and abundant fishing to be had in the Central North Island.

29/08/2024

If your looking for a new hobby or keen on a hardcore multi day mission i accommodate it all!

Reach out for a trip that you wont only remember, but be left searching for more!!

12/08/2024

Hamish & I have been covering some kilometers recently and have stumbled upon some stunning fish over the couple days. There may not be massive numbers in some of our systems like in previous years but the quality of the fish this year has been superb.

18/07/2024

Good to get out with Dylan Trout Fix Nz again for a bash about.
It was a productive day, Dylan was on fine from landing a few cracking brownies to top off an already good day.👌

23/06/2024

After a few jobs in taupo had a bit of time left up the sleeve to sneak down to a river i dont tend to go to all to often.
I had also brought a new bit of kit i was quite keen to test out and see if i liked for this coming winter. I am not much of a hip pack guy but the Guideline Experience waist pack is primo. Wicked back support, clever design where the bag slides around the fixed waist strap and it has more than enough storage to squeeze a couple big winter boxes in and a spare reel.

Once we found the pattern it was go time. A small egg or a slightly flashy hare and copper was on the menu. Heres a couple of the better ones
Flytackle NZ
Sporting Life - Turangi

19/06/2024

An absolute unit!
She did well to hang on to it, the reel was absolutely peeling out! Once she was into the backing and still losing line fast, it was starting to look like game over. She managed to turn it around though and starting gaining back a good amount of line, it was looking good from that point. A couple last short hard runs and it was my time to shine... After i botched the last fish she caught (a nice brown), i was really feeling the pressure i wont lie 😂 it turned out to be a easy net job though.
A P.B fish for her caught out of a river, well deserved after putting in some hours 👌

11/06/2024

Was good to get out with AB after the small fresh we just had. Not as many as we had hoped have moved through but a few goodies still made it to the net. AB had a fair amount of luck running just a single nymph. Presentation is still pretty critical at the moment it seems.

10/06/2024

This fish gave me a proper working, it was a battle of odds and luck to some degree. Having to use tippets as fine as 5lb to hook up is one thing, keeping them on is another. It's not uncommon for their teeth or rocks to wear through and they break free. On this occasion i think i got lucky, the video is 5 minutes but the fight probably lasted closer to 8 or 9. Luck was on my side 👌
Cant wait to get stuck back into some big brown trout this next upcoming season.

01/06/2024

After almost sinking the boat at the jetty we had a rather good day 😂

22/05/2024

Recently ive been putting in some hours down at the river mouths figuring out how to fish b***y flies. Its an addictive technique i must say, feeling them pick up the fly and take off is very unique. It makes for some epic fun.

15/05/2024

This brown trout had me running all over the river to try and land it! It's always good fun when they make you work for it!

11/05/2024

Julian (a good bugga from work) and myself had been meaning to go try our luck at getting his first brown for quite some time and im sure glad we did go for a look!
This fish was a proper tank! By far the fattest brown trout i have ever had in the net!

Not long before daylight savings ended we went on a after work mission. We got to the river with a hour or two of daylight, we walked a few likely spots with nothing seen, which was a little suprising. The water was awfully sun glared though as it was the last of the sun light for the day. it was starting to look grim, not spotting a single brown trout we decided to go try our luck on some rainbow trout with little luck. Once the sun had long disappeared behind the hill and the glare was finally gone we made our one last effort to find a big brown. Once spotted with its head burried into a rock it was all go, we put on a trusty stonefly imatation, made a few cast's over it and BOOM! it was on, This fish fought hard but Julian fought it smarter. After a few very intense minutes passed we had it in the net. We couldn't believe our eyes. This thing was a HORSE.
While it was in the net it spewed up a juvenile brown trout! Something we had never seen in a fresh water fish.it is that white thing in the second photo, bottomleft side.

The hunt and thrill of a large brown trout on the Tongariro is something else! Its can be a long game but once it comes together it is a hard feeling describe.

06/05/2024

If your looking for a guide in the heart of some world class fly fishing, look no further...

Stoked to be apart of this!

06/05/2024

Hunting a fish this way is something i enjoy more than no other. The persuit of a big brown trout chasing damsels or drys is an experience to be had!

The approach with the boat is critical, you have to be in the right spot to catch the fish but also able to oar yourself in the fish's direction while fighting what could possibly be a trophy fish.
Fighting the fish in amongst the w**d beds leaves little margin for error i have learned. On light tippets and tiny flies, its not uncommon to straighten a hook or lose the fish in the w**d beds, once they have torpedoed themselves into the thick of it, its most likely game over.

Thats the fun of it though, easy fish are fun no doubt. But It's the ones that keep you coming back for more, those are the memories that last!

26/04/2024

Starting to see a few more fish rearing to get up the river! Was lucky enough to catch a couple yesterday. Althought the southerly wind and low freezing level really did make it feel like mid winter already. Well worth the numb hands though👌

22/04/2024

Went on a bit of a bigger after work mission to fish a spot i have been scoping out for quite some time!

Walked quite along way down stream to this wicked hole! I was rewarded with this scrappy Rainbow Trout that made it all to worth the adventure.
I'm not a huge fan of having little to no daylight after work nowadays, i can't get enough of a good back country mission after work.