About Cruise & Fish

New Zealand professional fly fishing guide John Hamill is the operations manager and a director of cruise and fish, John specialises in fly fishing adventures in the central North Island's Lakes, Rivers and Streams. John grew up fishing in this area with skills passed on from his father Bill Hamill. Bill co founded a hunting and fishing store from a love of game bird hunting and fishing and it still carries his name today Hamill’s NZ. John has taken the passion that Bill had and followed it into guiding. Bill Hamill’s favourite lake was Lake Tarawera and is still John’s, having worked on the lake as a professional skipper for the past 15 years there is something special about the bush and mountain as a backdrop to the fishing

Joining John in the venture is Andre’ and Joanne Verdonk from Orca Engineering. Their love of fishing see’s them enjoying the water from their home and rental accommodation on the Ohau Channel, the outlet of Lake Rotorua joining Lake Rotorua to Lake Rotoiti to fishing and diving out off the Coromandel coast from Whitianga.

Elusive

Elusive is a Roger Hill design alloy catamaran and was built in Rotorua by Orca Engineering, builders of quality alloy boats and winner of the prestigious 2009 Rotorua Business Awards as well as best Engineering / manufacturing business.

Elusive is equipped with cooking and bathroom facilities, safety equipment to account for the unexpected and fishing tackle to target even the most elusive of trout.

John Hamill

John’s forte is fly fishing, particularly fish rising to a hatch. To have a fish rise to your fly and open its mouth over it is a heart stopping moment. To catch and then release one of these amazing trout is a truly awesome feeling that in fishing terms is second to none.

John was introduced at a young age to fishing and hunting around the central North Island and this passion has led to a career as a fly fishing guide. From the total beginner to the expert, he loves sharing the passion that is fly fishing. With over 40 years of fishing experience, John is committed to your enjoyment of your fishing adventure with him.

John’s favourite times are sight fishing for wild rainbow and cunning brown trout in crystal clear waters surrounded by our majestic native bush; the stealthy stalk up the river and to first spot your fish before tempting it with a dry fly or nymph is heart in the mouth exciting. This reward is what fly fishing in New Zealand is famous for. Sighting and casting to these wild trout will leave snapshots in your mind for the rest of your life.

John holds a Commercial Launch Masters Qualification and is a member of the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association

Accommodation Partners

We guide from most of Rotorua's recognised fishing lodges and accommodation providers, Particularly Solitaire Lodge where Elusive is moored, but also with the likes of Treetops, Peppers on the Point and Kawaha Point Lodge all use our expert services.