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Chris Dore: New Zealand Trout Safaris

Chris Dore is a Queenstown based fly fishing guide and well known New Zealand fly fishing personality. He is a member of the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association and in 2005 became one of the first New Zealanders to successfully pass the internationally recognised, Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Casting Instructors examination.

Chris specialises in fly fishing tuition, and guided sight fishing opportunities upon the unparalleled trout streams of the lower South Island of New Zealand. He believes that "life's too short to not catch fish", and takes a highly instructional, and fun-filled approach to fly fishing.

Welcome to Southland, the essence of fly fishing in New Zealand

Name New Zealand Trout Safaris
Contact Chris Dore
Address

PO Box 1451
Queenstown 9197

Contact details for more information

Mobile: 027 693 3027

Mobile (international): +64 27 693 3027

Email: chris@troutsafaris.co.nz

Web: www.CHRISDORE.com

Please mention nzfishing.com when you make an enquiry or booking.

Fly fishing Queenstown with Chris

Join internationally recognised fly fishing guide and writer, Chris Dore for an experience on some of the world’s finest trout streams, where he will introduce you to the superbly conditioned brown and rainbow trout which abound in Southland's unparalleled waters.

The rivers you have dreamt about are Chris's home waters, and his much sought after local knowledge and many years of exploration will ensure that your visit is a memorable one.

Southland is home to more rivers and streams than any other province in New Zealand. Blessed with an abundance of productive spring creeks, freestone rivers, rain fed streams and lakes of many sizes, the Southland angler never has to travel far to experience a diverse range of waters, and these are the basis for some of the worlds finest trout fishing.

As an FFF Certified Casting Instructor and member of the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association, Chris is the obvious choice for an unforgettable foray into the worlds premier fly fishing destination.

Be Prepared

Many anglers visit New Zealand for the first time with unrealistic expectations. Compared with many places, NZ trout are difficult to catch, and require some level of skill to decieve. Begin your preparations before you jump on the plane, to maximise your chances of success! Read the below...

Myth: NZ trout are easy to catch...

Large, wild trout in pristine water are not easy. Their size and age suggests a natural instinct for danger and these fish have been around long enough to know how a fly should behave, and what should, and should not be looming up behind them. Presentation is everything, and the gin clear water ensures that if we can see the trout, the trout can certainly see us.

Lay the groundwork before you arrive

Many come to NZ unprepared for our style of fishing. “This is a whole new ball game” is a common statement amongst visiting anglers. Whilst Chris can provide top quality fly-casting tuition as an FFF Certified Instructor this works best if the groundwork is already there. Whilst he can cater to beginners through to the more advanced angler, practising before the ‘big game’ is always a wise choice.

Work on both your overhead and roll casting technique. Efficient fly-casting accuracy at various distances from 20 through to 40’ will help you secure your trophy, and do not forget to practise casting off the opposite shoulder at targets to assist in those often windy conditions. Reduce those false casts – a 50 foot cast requires but a couple at the most, for balance and distance calculations.

Laying the groundwork before you arrive will put you in a better position for success for when you find yourself 30 feet away from a large, free rising New Zealand brown trout. Make those first casts count!

Chris Dore. Professional. Friendly. Experienced

About your guide

Chris Dore's passion and enjoyment of the sport motivates him to provide a top quality guiding service. A trip with Chris is not all about catching trout. Chris wants to introduce you to the whole NZ fly fishing experience, and with his innovative instructional techniques and wealth of local knowledge you are sure to experience a fun-filled, and educational trout fly fishing adventure. Chris:

  • Always seeks to provide an enjoyable, professional and truly memorable service to his clientele
  • Maintains a comprehensive and up to date understanding of the fishery, with regular visits observing hatches and prospecting new water
  • Remains ahead of the game due to his innovative and daptable approach, and networking throughout the international fly fishing community
  • Has fished the trout streams of the Southland region for 20 years now, since starting as a young lad under the guidance of knowledgeable locals.
  • Is internationally recognised as a fly fishing guide, instructor and educator
  • Is a member of the NZPRGA (New Zealand Professional Guides Association)
  • Is an FFF Certified Casting Instructor, one of the few operating in New Zealand
  • A SCOTT Pro Staff member
  • A Flyshop fly fishing forum leader and FP writer for Sexyloops.com
  • Contributes and writes regional reports for Reel Life (Fish and Game New Zealand's online magazine) and has written for several fishing oriented magazines, among them NZ Troutfisher, NZ Fisherman, Southern Fishing and Boating, NZ Fishing News and Fishing Action magazine.
  • Works closely with Fish and Game on local projects and is often consulted by others for his insight into the local fishery.
Features of a day's fishing with Chris
  • Participate in "Kiwi style" sight fishing techniques. With Chris's personal guidance and assistance you will be spotting fish in no time.
  • Learn the specific feeding habits of our trout, and work out how to ‘match the hatch’ on the much revered Mataura River. See Chris's article Matching the Hatch: A Guide to Cracking the Mystery of the Mataura River
  • Target quality fish in a small stream environment and learn the delicate presentations we employ here
  • Learn the often-intricate techniques required to deceive large trout in gin clear waters.
  • All equipment, including a range of quality graphite rods, can be supplied.  Chris supplies flies that he has tied himself to to best fit with his ‘prey image’ theories.
Fishing options

Local rivers

Dozens of rivers and streams are accessible by 4WD as daytrips, half day trips, or included in a multi-day itinerary. No matter what the conditions or the weather, Chris is one of the few who can always find you fishable water.

A typical day involves being picked up from your accommodation at a prearranged time, driving to our destination by air-conditioned 4WD vehicle and sampling some of NZ’s finest small stream fly fishing The average day allows for 8 hours fishing time, although one will never be pulled off the river if Chris thinks an evening hatch is imminent. Travelling times to our fishing area varies, though are generally

Multi day safari

Probably the best way to experience the wide variety of fishing that Southland has on offer is a multi-day trip where you hit the road staying close to the areas being fished at a selection of cabins, farmstays, hotels, and bed & breakfasts. This reduces travelling time maximizes the time spent fishing, and provides more flexibility for dealing with adverse weather conditions.

Introduction to Double Handed fly fishing

Double Handed rods are a great way to get big flies deep, and open up the potential of our larger rivers. Let Chris introduce you to the art of Spey casting on the renowned, big-water rainbow trout fishery of the Upper Clutha.

Using 11’ two-handed Switch rods, Chris will introduce you to the fundamentals of spey casting, and effective techniques to maximize the potential of large water fisheries.

The skills you will learn are readily transferable to any big water fishery, such as NZ’s famed Tongariro river, or the large, braided waters of the Canterbury region, as well as many steelhead waters of Canada, the United States and BC.

Indicative costs
as at 1 Jan 2011

NZD $800 per day. Maximum 2 anglers for safety and logistical reasons.

A New Zealand freshwater fishing license can be arranged by your guide, but is not included in the fee.

Activities for non fishing partners

Chris is happy to suggest and arrange a selection of activities to entertain non-fishing partners including:

  • Queenstown adventure activities such as jet boating, bungy jumping and whitewater rafting
  • A wine tour, taking in a variety of Central Otago's finest vineyards
  • An unforgettable excursion into "Middle Earth" on a "Lord of the Rings" trilogy tour
Bookings

Due to the demand for Chris's services it is advisable to book early, to secure your choice of dates.

Bookings are confirmed upon receipt of a 33% deposit of the total guiding fee. This may be paid in the form of a bank cheque, travellers' cheque or bank transfer.

Email Chris Dore now for availability and trip options.

Cancellations

For cancellations within 10 days of the trip date payment is required in full.

Safety

Chris carries both a cellular phone and 406 MHZ Personal Locator Beacon registered with Maritime NZ to ensure that if help is required, fast, efficient assistance is close to hand.

Chris also operates under a professional Safety and Risk Management plan as documented by the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Assn and approved by Occupational Health and Safety NZ (OSH). Combined with Chris' extensive outdoors experience and comprehensive training you can be confident you are in capable hands.

Disclamer

Chris Dore reserves the right to cut short, cancel or postpone any trip if it considers conditions to be unsafe. Although extremely rare, in such case your deposit will be refunded in full.

Fishing in New Zealand can take anglers into some of the worlds most wild and isolated terrain, and while Chris endeavours to provide a professional and experienced service, he can accept no liability for any injuries, medical conditions, losses or claims of any kind or nature.

Client feedback

“I had the fortune of choosing Chris Dore as a guide and the pleasure of fishing with him for 2 days in Southland in January 2008. It was without doubt two of the most enjoyable days' fishing I have ever experienced. Chris was the complete package - an outstanding guide: knowledgeable, enthusiastic and an utter expert, but he was also modest, good humoured, patient and excellent company. I recommend Chris absolutely and without hesitation and would seek his services again on any future trip to NZ.”

Adam Nettleton, Melbourne, Australia

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“Thanks for a really great trip! You really went beyond the call of duty, and you must be about the most patient guy I’ve ever met! You can expect to see us back again for more at some stage!”

Russel Lister, NSW Australia

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“So young and yet so wise. A truly masterful guide and teacher who knows his waters, his fish, and more importantly how to help others catch them!”

Michael Montrose, Oregon, USA

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“Thanks to the illustrious Mr. Dore for putting me on to the brown of my life - all 8lbs of him! It was a tremendous experience in a stellar place. I came 1/2 way across the world for that fish, and got the pleasure of being hosted by Chris. You were a great guide Chris, and I had a first rate time on the river with you. “

Glen Tinckler, Canada

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“My wife Krista and I just returned from our second trip to the Southland of New Zealand a week or so ago. I want to give out a great recommendation for our guide Chris Dore. We fished the Oreti, the Waikaia, the Mataura and several secret spring creeks that if I name they won't let back into the country. We're talking about stalking, (3-8 km a day), and sight fishing size 16-18 dries to incredibly large, healthy Brown Trout.
It's akin to big game hunting in Africa. Chris has the local knowledge, the "eyes" to spot the fish and a great personality, (for a Kiwi).

He's also one of only a handful of certified casting instructors in the country. He's also the only man I've ever witnessed false casting all 100' of my fly line plus 5' of my backing on my Sage XP and make it look easy! Chris Dore is 5 star plus and gets the thumbs up from me!

Thanks for the great trip 'mate'.”

Chris and Christa Campion, Coronado, California, USA

 

 

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