We are passionate fly fishers dedicated to providing high-quality educational and wellness experiences throughout New Zealand.
Our expertise lies in being a collective of qualified guides, registered teachers, expert anglers, fly tiers, and wellness professionals who offer a unique approach that combines our love for fly fishing with a deep understanding of the teaching and learning process. This means you can expect a great fishing experience and valuable learning opportunities tailored to your needs, as well as immersing yourself in the unique cultural and natural environment of Aotearoa New Zealand.
ACADEMY LEADERSHIP TEAM
Dr Rachel McNae
Academy Director
North Island HQ
Rachel McNae is an inspiring and dedicated leader at the helm of the New Zealand Fly Fishing Academy. Her leadership instils confidence in the quality of teaching and learning experiences provided for fly fishing enthusiasts. She founded the Academy by combining her internationally award-winning academic career in education and leadership expertise with her love for fly fishing and the outdoors.
Rachel's unwavering mission is to foster inclusive, supportive, and engaging learning environments for fly fishing enthusiasts at all stages of life and all levels of learning. Her collaborative work with academy staff and anglers ensures that each learner not only hones their angling skills but also develops a deeper connection to nature, enhanced well-being, and a strong sense of belonging within the fly fishing community.
Rachel is a prominent figure in the New Zealand fly fishing community, known for her mentorship and skill refinement for anglers. Rachel’s dedication to advancing women's fly fishing in New Zealand is a testament to her commitment to gender equality in the sport. She is the Captain of the New Zealand Women's Fly Fishing Team (The NZ Fly Ferns) and is a respected board member of Sport Fly Fishing New Zealand. Rachel's commitment to the broader fly fishing community and wellness is further demonstrated in her role as the Director of Casting for Recovery (North Island), where she leads efforts to promote the therapeutic and well-being benefits of fly fishing.
Rachel has an extensive academic background, which includes a PhD in Leadership, postgraduate and Bachelor's degrees in Education, a Bachelor of Leisure Studies (yes, this is actually a thing!) and a Diploma of Teaching. Her credentials demonstrate her commitment to leadership, continuous learning, and fly-fishing. She has written multiple books and articles on leadership and strength-based approaches to teaching and learning. Rachel is also a highly sought-after consultant and motivational speaker for national and international events.
Kristina Placko
Leader of Learning
South Island HQ
Kristina is a dedicated leader and contributor to the motor room of the NZ Fly Fishing Academy, where fly fishing is more than a sport - it’s a lifelong journey of education, enrichment, and exploration. With over 15-years of experience in the fishing industry, Kristina has worn many hats and as a result brings a broad expertise to anglers of all levels, from beginners to seasoned fly fishers realising their New Zealand fly fishing dreams.
As the founder and lead guide of Stray South Fishing Outfitters NZ, Kristina introduces clients to the beauty of Southland while promoting sustainable and conscious fishing practices that contribute to protecting New Zealand’s rivers and fisheries for future generations. Her work with the NZ Fly Fishing Academy focuses on enriching lives through education, offering speaking engagements, workshops, personalised tuition and guiding, and more recently groundbreaking women’s fly fishing retreats incorporating a wellness aspect designed to [re]connect people with both nature and themselves.
As a motivated advocate for diversity in fly fishing, Kristina empowers women and newcomers to the sport, fostering an inclusive community that promotes and inspires personal growth, wellness, and a love for the outdoors. Whether she’s teaching a fly fishing class, guiding on Southland’s rivers, or hosting retreats, Kristina’s dedication and enthusiasm shine through in every adventure because this is a lifestyle to her.
Kristina has embraced her vocation as a fishing educator. She empowers women to discover their strengths while serving as a lifelong custodian of our waterways. Kristina’s work and life backgrounds are a synergy of experiences from two male-dominated industries - construction and fishing…needless to say, this has been a challenge over the years. Still, it has provided many lessons Kristina draws from and combines in her teachings to be passed on to up-and-coming fishing personalities!
Lesley Smith
International Mentor
North Island HQ
Lesley Smith is an international connector, educator, and proud fish catcher who is passionate about sharing her love of fly fishing. A former USA high-performance college athlete, Lesley was also a member of the USA Women's Fly Fishing Team in 2021. Her background as a physical education teacher for nearly two decades and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology reflect her deep connection and love for the outdoors, environmental conservation, and mentorship.
Based in Cambridge, New Zealand, Lesley travels and fishes extensively around the globe, solidifying herself as a highly informed and insightful mentor. Her work with the New Zealand Fly Fishing Academy is not just about exceptional teaching but also about supporting anglers in creating and experiencing the trip of a lifetime. Lesley’s knowledge about locations, regional fishing information, fishing equipment, set-ups, and products is second to none, making her the ‘go-to’ person across the regions for fly fishing and fly tying advice.
Lesley’s unique blend of fly fishing expertise, mentorship and commitment to conservation and learning in outdoor environments makes her a vital part of the Academy’s mission to empower anglers to care for the waterways in New Zealand and learn, enrich and enhance their fly fishing skills.
Lesley believes “the true magic of fly fishing lies not in just the catch, but in the connections we make, the challenges we overcome, and the beauty we discover along the way.”
Our leadership team works alongside specialist academy staff to provide personalised, high-quality learning experiences. Our key priority is ensuring we have the most qualified and suitably aligned individuals working collectively to deliver their best work to achieve optimal results.
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini - My strength is not that of a single warrior but that of many.
Paterangi of Ngāti Kahungunu.