Tony Entwistle

Tony Entwistle

Zane rates Tony Entwistle as the greatest fly fishing guide that has ever walked the planet!

Professional Guide: Nelson's Tony Entwistle - Guiding since 1980.	Recreational Angler: Tony Entwistle celebrates a great catch for himself - 13 1/2 lb Brown Trout with 5x tippet & #18 Pheasant Tail nymph. October 2007.

Zane's relationship with Tony goes back to when Zane still wore short pants and wrote with a pencil.  Zane first began working for Tony & Sharon Entwistle in November 1985 for their company Nelson Lakes Guiding Services Ltd.  Since this time the two men have shared many adventures

Nelson’s Tony Entwistle is one of the greatest fly fishing guides to ever wade New Zealand waters . Zane can say this because he has been a great employer, mentor, friend, and business partner over the 30 years they have known each other.

Tony’s influence on the New Zealand fishing season has been immense. Here are just a few biographical details:

• Married to Sharon: Tony & Sharon have three adult sons, Nick, Jono, and Christopher.

• Guiding since 1980: His business Nelson Lakes Guiding Services operated out of St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes and was the genesis of many South Island fishing guides. Zane Mirfin began working for Tony in November 1985. Tony, in turn, was trained by guru NZ hunting guide, Gary Joll, at Lilybank Station, Lake Tekapo, in the mid 1970's.  This uninterrupted chain of guides, with a history of shared knowledge and training, is unprecedented within New Zealand, and has endured since the 1960's.

• Member New Zealand Fly Fishing Team (1987-1992): Fishing in World Championships in England, Tasmania, Finland, Wales, Italy, and an organising committee member for the championships in New Zealand in 1991.
   
• Recreational Fishing Experience: Tony has fished throughout both islands of New Zealand, as well as Australia, UK, and USA. Marketing trips overseas including Japan.
   
• Fly Shop Owner: Tony bought the Hunting & Fishing francise to Nelson in the 1990’s.
   
• NZ Professional Fishing Guides Association: Tony has been president, and an executive member many times. His passion, knowledge, and connections within the industry are legendary.
   
• Conservation Issues affecting rivers and angling opportunities: Tony has always been active in fighting the good fight. Contributing expert evidence to Water Conservation Orders and whatever else needs to be done. He had many years serving as a Nelson / Marlborough Fish & Game councillor. His conservation work and contribution to the sport was recognised by a Fish & Game Gold Medal Award in 2007.
   
• Fly Fishing Media: Tony Entwistle has written numerous magazine articles over the years. Currently he contributes to Fish & Game New Zealand magazine – a bi-monthly publication which is the leading local fly fishing publication, with articles and his column ‘Tips from Tony’. Tony has contributed chapters to many books including In Pursuit of Trout, Masters of Fly Fishing, New Zealand’s Best Trout Flies.
   
• Filming: Tony's latest passion is filming fly fishing and fly fishing moments & personalities. Watch this space because whatever Tony does it is always good.
   
• Strike Adventure Fishing: Tony Entwistle and Zane Mirfin combined their guiding experience and jointly started Strike Adventure® in November 2003 with $200 each. Their company TZ Developments Ltd achieved many things, including a great guide team, an organised professional approach to guiding – with a good infrastructure, permits & concessions, insurances, business systems, and even some product importing. You can read about many of the highlights on this website.
   

In 2008, Sharon & Tony Entwistle sold their half share to Aimee and Zane Mirfin. Tony was keen to step back from the day-to-day responsibilities of running a guiding business after 28 years on the front line.

The Entwistle’s and Mirfin’s remain great friends. Tony still has considerable influence on the new company, Strike Adventure Ltd, and his on-going advice and mentoring is highly valued.

Tony is still guiding, and jokingly laughed last year that he couldn’t get anything done because he was so busy guiding for Strike Adventure. He loves to hear from old friends and we’re happy to forward any communications along to Tony.

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