Life at the End of the Road

Down in Glenorchy, where the road runs out and the country starts getting serious, Ethan runs Top of the Lake Guiding, a small family business built around fly fishing and free-range hunting in some of the most remote backcountry New Zealand has to offer.

Every trip asks for preparation, local knowledge, and the kind of quiet professionalism that puts clients at ease before they ever step into the river.

Out here, the experience is not just about finding fish or covering ground. It’s about making people feel looked after in a place that can turn quickly.

And when that is the job, your vehicle setup matters more than most people realise.

A Problem That Was Hard to Ignore

Before upgrading the setup, one issue kept becoming harder to ignore.

Clients and gear were sharing the same space inside the vehicle, which affected more than just convenience. It changed the flow of the day, limited organisation, and took away from the level of professionalism Ethan wanted clients to experience from the moment they stepped into the ute.

For a business built around guiding people through remote backcountry terrain, creating a cleaner separation between passengers and equipment became a priority.

"Prior to this setup, the main challenge we faced was overcrowding in our vehicle, with gear and clients often being together."

That change alone helped make every trip feel more organised, more comfortable, and more in line with the standard Top of the Lake Guiding is known for.

Choosing the Right Setup

When it came time to upgrade, Ethan was clear on what mattered. The setup had to keep gear separated from clients, handle the conditions he works in every day, and reflect the standard of service he wanted to deliver.

After looking at his options, he went with the Utemaster Centurion Canopy and Cantilever system, fitted to his Hilux and built to support the way he guides in the backcountry.

Gear in the back. Clients in the cab. Everything where it should be.

"The new setup really allows us to have that difference of people in the cab and gear in the back."

A Different Kind of Morning

The difference in daily life has been immediate.

Everything is ready to go, locked away, and organised. The morning starts without chaos. And the vehicle feels like part of the service rather than something that needs to be managed.

The Cantilever system has been a particular win for fly fishing days. By mounting his Yakima rod box up high, Ethan can access the canopy doors freely without working around it.

"Having a rod box up on top just keeps everything streamlined and allows us to be quick with setup when we hit the river."

Staying One Step Ahead of the Day

Being near the Main Divide, conditions can shift fast. Having Plans A, B, and C is part of how Ethan guides.

That means the setup has to be able to move with him. Everything visible. Everything reachable. No digging around when the plan changes and time matters.

And then there is security.

When the vehicle is left at a trailhead for hours, security stops being a nice-to-have. With rods, hunting equipment, and cameras on board, it is part of how Ethan stays focused on the client and the conditions in front of him.

"For me, the biggest benefit of all is the security. No one can get in when it's all locked up, and I know that my gear's safe. At the press of a button though, we're good to go, get our gear out, close it back up, lock it back up, and we're out of here."

What Changed Most is Harder to Photograph

The real win is confidence.

Confidence to leave the vehicle locked up at a trailhead. Confidence that the gear is where it should be. Confidence that the setup reflects the standard of the service he is there to deliver.

Because clients may not notice the canopy. But they will feel the difference between a day that feels thrown together and one that feels dialled in from the start.

"What makes a great guide? Just going the extra mile, trying your best for your clients, and being versatile."

The setup now supports exactly that.

Doing More of What Matters

For Ethan, a great guided trip is about more than the catch.

It is about preparation, adaptability, and sharing the kind of places most people never get to see.

His setup keeps the cab clear, the gear secure, and the day moving, so he can stay focused on the experience he is there to deliver.

This is Ethan from Top of the Lake Guiding. Doing more of what matters.

@Topofthelakeguiding

IT'S YOUR TURN TO BUILD WHAT MATTERS

When your setup works the way it should, you stop managing gear and start focusing on why you are out there.

Discover how the Centurion Canopy can help you build a setup that works in real conditions, wherever the day takes you.

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