Clancy Thomas’ First Season at Poronui

Clancy Thomas’ First Season at Poronui

The short days and frosty, clear mornings mark the close of the fishing season at Poronui and the beginning of a migration back to the Northern Hemisphere. This season has been nothing short of a dream. 

Growing up guiding blue ribbon trout streams in Montana, New Zealand always felt like a dream progression. The challenge of sight fishing low density rivers for some of the finest trout in the world is enough to draw any angler across the globe. To then have the opportunity to share that experience with others as a guide has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my life. 

This style of fishing brings a unique set of challenges unlike anything I encountered in previous guiding experiences. Sight fishing these rivers creates a heightened level of pressure for both guide and angler. Every fish matters, every cast matters, and the technical demands are unmatched in the trout world. Yet, this very difficulty is what draws us in. The frustration of a missed opportunity, a fish overlooked, a cast misplaced, or one that simply refuses to cooperate, only deepens the satisfaction when everything finally comes together. The camaraderie built between guide and client in those moments is truly special, and easily the most rewarding part of the job.             

One of the greatest challenges of guiding at Poronui is the sheer variety of rivers and water available. Learning every stretch in a single season is impossible, and mastering it all could take a lifetime. I owe a great deal of gratitude to the experienced guides who took me under their wing and generously shared their knowledge. Without that team dynamic, navigating these waters would be far more difficult.                             

Finally, I can’t thank the lodge staff and management enough. Moving halfway across the world to work in an unfamiliar place can be daunting, but from the moment I arrived, I was welcomed like family. It is the same warmth and hospitality I have seen extended to guests each and every day.

As I head back to Montana for the summer guiding season, I will carry these memories with me, and already look forward to returning to New Zealand in a few months, and do it all again.