My time fishing with Ray on New Zealand’s North Island was one of the amazing experiences of my life as a fisherman. If you choose to go the route I did, you can count on starting a trip with a helicopter ride that is a once in a lifetime experience before you even put your rod together. Coming from Canada where I’ve fished 30 years on the best fisheries that northern Ontario and the Maritimes can offer, I don’t know if I’ve seen a more scenic and naturally stunning stretch of wilderness than I did on Ray’s home river. The fishing was some of the best I’ve ever experienced in terms of constantly producing fish and hookups on the fly. Ray is a veteran fisherman and patient guide who, along with his fellow guide and son Ray Jr, helped me learn an entirely new style of fishing and presentation within a day on the river he grew up on and knows like the back of his hand. He is a genuine outdoorsman who loves his work, and his constant concern was trying to, and succeeding at, providing the experience of a lifetime.
By the end of of my trip I had caught so many fish that I was more than satisfied to hand off my rod and sit on the bank to experience my surroundings and enjoy the experience that Ray had helped me discover. Aside from being an excellent guide, Ray is a great guy to have as a fishing companion, with a constant sense of humour and good nature. Anyone looking for a guide to discover what New Zealand’s legendary fisheries can offer would be in excellent hands with Ray, and for the avid outdoorsman, the experience of a helicopter fly-in and camping riverside on a pristine body of water is one that can’t be overstated as one of the rarest and most rewarding trips you’ll ever be on. Thanks again Ray and Ray Jr. for the memories. - Kevin

My brother and I booked a full day with Ray and were beyond pleased with our experience. Ray was prompt, kind, amicable, had great attention to detail in setting up the trip, and clearly an expert fly angler. We fished several stretches of a truly beautiful river and Ray put us on some big beautiful fish.
It was also very refreshing to be led by someone who is a true steward of the waters—Ray is stoically respectful of his ancestral land and fishing with him was a gift.
If you’re considering hiring a guide anywhere near Rotorua or Taupo, I highly recommend booking with Ray.

What an amazing experience! I had no fishing experience and my husband had “some”. Ray started us out fishing with rod and reel on a lake that was so serenely beautiful. Then we drove to a river for fly fishing. Ray was so incredibly patient with me and he was a great teacher. My husband did the majority of the fishing. Unfortunately, none of us, Ray included, were able to get a fish to bite. Even though we were dangling the fly right over their heads! I would highly recommend Ray for all levels of experience.

What an amazing fly fishing experience with an excellent guide! We were choppered into a beautiful backcountry river. Ray has a strong and deep connection with the river and the surrounding land. It was a privilege to be taken to such a special place and to learn of its rich history and cultural significance. We hooked into 12 fish, many of which were sizable and fought strongly. From start to finish it was a breathtaking experience. Thank you so much Ray! I really hope we get to fish together again!