Simon Hoole – I’m a keen enthusiast for fly fishing, especially all things trout, Spey and Skagit-style tactics. I’m also a keen fly tyer, with a strong focus on tube flies, leech and Intruder-style patterns. I’ve been associated with I LOVE FLY FISHING since the early days and have been a key ambassador for OPST, Aquaz and Speyco as well as all of the ILFF catalogue. Also, as a real keen saltwater fly fisher, I can often be found flicking a Crazy Simon fly around the Auckland region.

Brian Willson – I am a professional trout fishing guide ( and a member of the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association). I have guided anglers from all over the globe, including having guided in Oregon.

Leigh Johnson - I have fished on and off for 30+ years, mostly off and never successfully.  However, since retirement, I have committed to spending the time to become a good fly fisher.  We have a home on the Kapiti Coast and another in the Waitaki Valley, where I’m having fun learning how to fish spooky South Island trout on dry flies.  I am increasingly enthralled by fly tying, and with that comes a new interest in bugs.  I am the founder and coordinator of Women on The Fly NZ. WoTF is still evolving.  This is the new mission: As New Zealand’s best-connected community for women who fly fish, Women on the Fly is dedicated to enriching women’s lives, emphasising the benefits to mental, physical, and social well-being, and fostering respect for our natural environment. We connect anglers, host events, and promote women-led initiatives through collaboration, building skills and confidence for everyone from curious beginners to experienced enthusiasts.

Pawel – Since moving from Poland to New Zealand, now living in Tāmaki-Makaurau, I have seen how beautiful the backcountry here is.  Being able to get close to nature and discover new places has led to fly-fishing (both fresh and salt water) becoming my number one passion!  I enjoy the friendship of this great team and feel lucky to be an ILFF Ambassador.

Ben Rees – Hi, my name is Ben Rees, born and bred in Kaikoura in the South Island of New Zealand.  I have grown up around the ocean, where for most of my life I was into surfing and its lifestyle, which has been amazing for me for the experiences it has brought me with travel around the globe and locally here in NZ. Recently, my good friend got me into fly fishing, and it's really given me a new excitement of just being in the beautiful outdoors, mountains and amazing rivers that New Zealand has to offer. Tramping for hours in the bush and up rivers would not have excited me that much before, until the element of flyfishing came along. I’m super stoked to have met Johan and the team at I Love Fly Fishing, and their continued support behind me has given me the opportunity to refine my skills and excel in these areas.  With photography as my other passion, I can also combine this with fly fishing and just get out there and have fun and do my thing with others.

Kason Koboski – I was born in Greenville, South Carolina (USA). After moving to New Zealand, I fell in love with everything about ‘trout fishing’. My trout fishing journey started when I was about 3 years old, trolling lures around Lake Taupo and using spinners in Taranaki rivers. I am currently based in Taranaki and spend most of my spare time tying flies or wet wading through the Ring Plain rivers with my fly rod in search of big browns and rainbows. For the last 6 years or so I have been focusing my skills on fly fishing with every different pattern I can find or tie. My fly fishing endeavours began with my uncle or mentor/guide Ben Leslie. Since the beginning, he has taught me almost everything there is to know about fly fishing. All throughout my younger years, Ben has been taking me on amazing trips all around the North Island. Taupo is a very special place for me as well since this is where my first years of fly fishing really began.

Matt Hoole (Australia) - Introduced to the backcountry and rivers of the North Island early, I began fly fishing from a young age. The Waikato region offered an expanse of rivers and streams to immerse myself in and learn to fly fish. After immigrating to Australia in 2007, I’ve spent the last sixteen years exploring the waters around greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains region of NSW and more recently the rivers and streams in the ACT, Canberra, after moving our young family here. Framed by the Brindabella, Namadgi and Kosciuszko National Parks, Canberra offers a variety of top-class fisheries. The Snowy Mountains in the Australian Alps are regarded as one of the best fisheries in Australia. Drift nymphing under indicators has been my long-time passion, but nowadays I spend as much time dry fly fishing, Czech nymphing or stalking lake edges for big browns with streamer patterns. I share most of my missions on the riverbank with my wife and kids, and enjoy writing and documenting these experiences for future enjoyment.

Aaron West – I love fly fishing. In particular, sight fishing. After spending most of my early years stalking fish in the Manawatu, I got involved in competitive fly fishing. This opened up a whole new dimension to my fly fishing. Enjoyed a lot of success on the NZ national circuit, and have represented NZ on several occasions, both here and around the world in various competitions, including 5 World Champs. Now residing in Pukekawa, I am involved in Sport Fly Fishing NZ, as their angler development officer, helping encourage those keen to learn. Fly fishing is a never-ending journey, and after more than 30 years, I still feel I have so much to learn. 

Lewis Peart – As a lifelong angler, my passion for fly fishing has taken centre stage over the last few years. Proudly representing ILFF, I’m venturing into the competitive scene, aiming to pursue the art of Euro nymphing, where I relish in the utter nerdiness of it all. When I’m after some solace, though, the backcountry and Waikato streams are home; here I can tease finicky fish with dry flies and focus on method over volume. Here in Tāmaki Makaurau, I chase an array of saltwater species as well when that 3 AM start is just too daunting… Fly fishing is my lifelong love, and I’m thrilled to share it with the world.