Poronui Outback - Roughing it in Style on New Zealand's North Island

Poronui

Outback Roughing it in Style on New Zealand’s North Island

By Brian Gies

Guide Paul McDonald and angler Paul Imperia enjoy an outback moment. Photo: Brian Gies

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or those who want it all: trophy fish, well-rested wilderness waters, top-shelf guides, fine cuisine and creature comforts interspersed with rustic overnights in the bush, look no further. Poronui Outback is a unique new wilderness fishing program designed by Fly Water Travel and delivered by the incredibly talented crew at the acclaimed Poronui; the North Island lodge that continues to set the bar against which all others are measured.

Tailor made for groups of two to four anglers, this program is based out of Poronui’s deluxe wall-tent camp on the Mohaka River. Nights spent here include quality beds, fine cotton sheets, hot showers, flush toilets and the same incredible wine and cuisine enjoyed by guests at the main lodge.

The tentative weekly schedule starts with a day warming up on Poronui’s renowned home waters. Next, guests will chopper out to a remote and very well-rested fishery for three days of wilderness fishing and two nights of “roughing it” in either wilderness huts or basic camping tents. Guests will then PAGE 78

return to the comforts of the Mohaka Camp for one day of 4×4-assisted fishing and an additional day of wilderness helicopter fly-out fishing. For those that want access to some of New Zealand’s most remote and least-visited wilderness fisheries and who relish in the rustic charm of campfires, walltents and back-country huts, this is the pinnacle experience.

Fishing Program The keystone of Poronui Outback’s fishing program is Paul McDonald, one of New Zealand’s top guides and a wonderful all-around individual. While eternally a Kiwi, Paul now lives in and guides out of our hometown of Ashland, Oregon during Poronui’s off season. Through our ongoing relationship with Paul, and multiple visits to Poronui, we have witnessed his abilities as a top-level guide and come to fully understand the remarkable depth of Poronui’s fishing resources. Guests have easy access to more than 15 non-fly out beats and an additional 85 beats spread between 15 fly-out streams. With such a wide array of

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PORONUI OUTBACK options, their beats are typically rested for 5-10 days between parties. As a result, guests at Poronui typically achieve some of the highest catch rates in New Zealand with an average of 75 percent of their catch comprised of rainbows and 25 pereent made up of browns.

The Safari Camp Located on the banks of the Mohaka River, the safari camp is far from roughing it. Complete with multiple safari-style tents, guests dine under the stars, drink cocktails by the campfire and fall asleep to the sound of the cascading river. This is as close to roughing it as it gets. Poronui provides a unique opportunity to enjoy splendid backcountry isolation while not forgoing creature comforts like crisp cotton sheets, hot running water, flush toilets, gourmet food and fine wine.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Poronui • Day 2: Fish Poronui’s home water and overnight at Safari Camp • Day 3-4: Heli into backcountry, fish wilderness stream, camp in backcountry • Day 5: Fish wilderness stream, heli back to Safari Camp • Day 6: Fish Poronui’s home water and overnight at Safari Camp • Day 7: Heli day trip into wilderness stream and overnight at Safari Camp • Day 8: Depart Rate: $6,800 per person for a 7 night/6 day package Included: 7 nights accommodation in Safari Camp and back country camping, all meals, house wine and beer, all camping gear, 6 days guided fishing, 2 mid-range helicopter fights. Not Included: Transportation to and from the lodge, premium alcoholic beverages, additional fly-outs, long range flights, gratuities.

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