Alex Hastie’s First Season as a Poronui Fishing Guide

Alex Hastie’s First Season as a Poronui Fishing Guide

As April rolls around and my first season of guiding at Poronui comes to a close, I’d like to reflect on what has been a whirlwind six months of fishing! Having grown up in Hawkes Bay just south of the lodge and being a passionate fly fisherman from a very early age, the opportunity to take on this role was immensely exciting.

In my younger years, I was lucky enough to spend plenty of time fishing the sort of rivers that Poronui is known for. While I’d spent countless days on the water, stepping into the role of a professional guide brought a new perspective and fresh challenges. It’s safe to say I’ve found my calling! I love everything about it—whether it’s getting to know the interesting guests that frequent the lodge, being a part of and learning from a tight-knit team of guides, or flying around in helicopters to some of the most beautiful trout streams imaginable, the list goes on. The playground that is Poronui lodge and its surrounding rivers is immensely vast, and something I’m only just scratching the surface of—it’s truly what dreams are made of.

My season began alongside some of Poronui’s more experienced guides, taking every opportunity to observe, absorb, and refine my approach. Before long, I was leading days on the water myself—each one bringing its own challenges and rewards. I’m very excited for October to roll around to do it all again!

One of my highlights of the season was on a recent day out where on the very last pool of the day (and after a tough day’s fishing), guest Rich hooked into a fish blind casting out deep in the pool. Once the fish hit the surface during the fight, and subsequently the net, we realised how much of a stunning fish it was. A big male brownie in perfect condition and in beautiful late-season autumn colours!

Roll on October 1st—I’m looking forward to another season of tight lines, great company, and unforgettable days on the water at Poronui!