Murray Downie Murupara, New Zealand

Phone: 011-64-7366-5827
Target Species: Trout, Various Saltwater
Rod Preferences:

Murray Downie is a dyed-in-the-wool, lifelong fish-head from Murupara, near the center of New Zealand's North Island. Murupara is located in the heart of the North Island's finest trout waters, with streams of all kinds flowing from mountainous pine forests through lush farmlands and lowland wilderness areas. The Whiranaki and Rangitaiki are Murray's two favorite local rivers, containing rainbows and browns which average 3-4 pounds and frequently exceed 6 pounds. Murray also fishes an array of smaller streams, picking trout out from under brush and structure with short, light dry fly rods. Even the smallest creeks produce fish of great size, and these are waters that are completely overlooked by most traveling fly fishers. It takes a true local guide to teach you the real secrets of the North Island's vast fly fishing hinterlands.

In addition to local streams, Murray offers fly-in trips to a host of high country wilderness rivers. He has asked us not to name any of these rivers, but suffice to say that fish of ten to fifteen pounds are common in these nameless waters. You'll have to fish with Murray to learn more...

When he gets a day off, Murray heads out to the coast to explore the reefs with his saltwater fly rods. New Zealand's superb saltwater fly fishing is often overshadowed by its famous freshwater fisheries, and the abundant opportunities are still a well-kept secret. The rich, warm water reefs offer tremendous action for trevalle, yellowtail, maomao, and a host of other fly rod game fish, and Murray encourages his clients to schedule a day on the salt during their fishing vacation.