Blarney Lodge  New Zealand
Host and head guide Pat O’Keefe typifies a man who truly loves his job. His passion and excitement for fly fishing is as irrepressible and fresh as it was when he received his first fly rod (a Sherman tank antenna with a few yards of old silk line) at age six. Since then he has made numerous contributions to the sport, including representing his country six times in the World Fly Fishing Championships and opening Blarney Lodge with his wife and chef extraordinaire, Helen. Idyllically situated on the shore of Lake Rerewhakaaitu, 35 minutes southeast of Rotorua on the North Island, Blarney Lodge features four lake-view guest rooms and an exceptionally comfortable atmosphere. The waters surrounding the lodge present an endless array of brown and rainbow trout fishing opportunities including small streams, spring creeks, brawling freestones, trophy stillwaters, and helicopter fly-outs into the remote regions of surrounding national parks. This region often boasts high catch-rates, making it a great choice for anglers of all skill levels. And since the towns of Rotorua and Taupo are within easy striking distance, Blarney Lodge is also an excellent destination for non-angling companions. Come experience some of the finest homestyle hospitality and fishing that New Zealand has to offer.
Blarney Lodge Travel:
To get to Blarney Lodge you will need to make travel arrangements to and from Rotorua, New Zealand. In Rotorua you can either rent a car and drive 45 minutes to the lodge or we can arrange to have you met by a member of the lodge staff who will drive you to the lodge. New Zealand is a long way away but the good news is that jet lag isn’t a big issue because when you arrive there it is four hours earlier the next day. Do whatever you can to get some sleep on the plane and continue on with your travels. You will be tired but for the most part your schedule hasn’t changed all that much. Remember that when you return home you will typically arrive on the same day that you left New Zealand. When coming into the country be forewarned that New Zealand is very concerned with invasive pests and plants entering the country. When you go through customs, you will be asked whether you have any camping gear, wading gear, fly tying materials, food etc. Be sure to clean and dry all wading gear, hiking boots, ground cloths, tent floors and the likes. Do not attempt to bring in any natural fly tying materials; grain or seed based foods, or meats such as jerky or salami. If the inspectors are not pleased with the condition of your personal items, they will take them and fumigate them while you wait. This generally takes about 15-30 minutes.
Blarney Lodge Documentation:
Valid Passport is needed.
Blarney Lodge Fishing:
New Zealand is one of the World’s most unique and challenging trout fisheries where anglers have the opportunity to spot their trout before casting to it. Sight fishing (which comprises roughly 75% of down under angling) is demanding and intense by Western fishing standards. The fish are large and wary, the streams and rivers in which they live are often crystal clear and interestingly enough, anglers are their only formidable natural predator. As a result, Kiwi fish can be very spooky. When stalking these fish, the perfect first cast is the ultimate weapon. Generally, the key to success down under is not the ability to make long casts but lies rather in the ability to make gentle accurate presentations under pressure. More often than not, your target will be between 20 and 40 feet away. Anglers who embrace the necessary skills might expect to land three to four fish a day between three and five pounds, and while shots at larger fish will present themselves, hooking and landing the really large specimens should be considered a hard earned bonus, as opposed to a baseline expectation.
Blarney Lodge Season:
November – April
Blarney Lodge Fish Species:
Rainbow and brown trout
Blarney Lodge Capacity:
8 anglers
Blarney Lodge 2008 Rates:
$550 per day
Included:
Accommodations (based on double occupancy), guiding, all meals, GST , access fees.
Not Included:
Transportation to and from the lodge, alcohol, optional fly-outs by fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter, gratuities, items of a personal nature, including fishing tackle, any other items not specifically listed in the inclusions.
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