About Mark Buckingham
Your professional guide
Your professional guide Mark Buckingham has spent nearly all his life chasing trout and salmon in the lower South Island of NZ.
From beginning as a young boy gazing at brown trout in the Water of the Leith in Dunedin, to family camping trips to the Mackenzie Basin, Central Otago and Southland. Fly fishing mornings, evenings and at night in the pursuit of trout. Then chasing the sea running Chinook Salmon on the mighty Waitaki River.
He started tying flies at 13 years of age, spin and bait fishing and then progressed to fly fishing at age 15. A couple of years later he caught 10 trout on the dry fly and was hooked for life!
Work experience and story
Mark’s love of the outdoors led him to study at university to be a Park Ranger. He spent four years working for The Department of Conservation (who manage the National Parks and Reserves) in the Otago region before joining the NZ Police. He was in the Police for seven years, of which 3 1/2 years was with the Christchurch Police Search and Rescue Team.
Then in 2000 he decided life is for living, moved to Wanaka and started his own guiding business, Southern Lakes Fishing Safaris . He now gets to share his love and passion for fly fishing and the outdoors with clients from all over the world.
Mark specialises in sight fishing to brown and rainbow trout and his patient friendly manner combined with his knowledge and experience will enable you to have a enjoyable and safe fishing experience.
Mark has been a member of the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association since 2001 (NZPFGA) which promote a high level of professionalism, sportsmanship and conservation in the interests of angling.
Wanaka, New Zealand
©2024