Kristina Placko & Daryl Paskell

About

Kristina's story

Kristina Placko and Daryl Paskell are the guides behind Fly Fishing Southland NZ, operating out of Lumsden in the heart of Southland — the region with New Zealand's largest trout biomass. Between them they bring together two distinct guiding philosophies and a combined depth of experience that is hard to match anywhere in the South Island. Daryl has been guiding in Southland since 1996, built over decades of intimate knowledge of the region's rivers, their hatches, their moods, and their fish. Kristina is NZPFGA registered, holds a Department of Conservation concession, and runs her own guiding business — Stray South — alongside the joint operation. Her approach is patient and inclusive: she makes fly fishing accessible to anyone, from complete beginners to experienced anglers looking to refine their technique. Together they cover an almost unlimited variety of waters across Southland: pristine freestone rivers, clear spring creeks, stillwater lakes, and remote backcountry streams that few outsiders ever reach. Both fly fishing and spin fishing on light tackle are on offer. The result is a guiding operation with the experience to put serious anglers on big fish, and the patience to bring new anglers into the sport properly.

Expertise

Skills & knowledge