The new fly fishing season begun this week and meanwhile the Winter season surges before its wind down – here’s what a few of the ILFF crew got up to on this always special week to the year and some of the gear being used over the week.
The Grand Poobah – Mr. Barnes was out swinging in fine form, picking up some absolute chunks of late run chrome. He put away the Euro rig he had been playing with and stuck to swinging some new prototype tube flies on the OPST gear. Barrie was in fine form picking up a consistent lot of shiny rainbows.
Mike and Lloyd were full of smiles picking up some shiny specimens. However, Brian was struck down with a nasty cold unfortunately and couldn’t join the crew out on the river.
Matt was out and about fly fishing in the Snowy mountains across the Tasman with the trout looking up. He had an amazing start to the new season on the ILFF Parachute Adams with over 20 coming to the net, putting the 10ft 4# Traper Silence rod to good use and keeping everything dry with his new OPST Rainforest backpack.
Kason spent the weekend out and about getting into some scrappers with some powerful jacks coming to the net.
Ben hit the backcountry for a solo mission into stunning waters and caught some beautiful backcountry browns on the Traper Speed rod and reel. Great effort and well worth the rewards!
Pawel and I were out and about swinging a real mixture of water. Pawel was Mr Consistency swinging up some beautiful chunky late run fish all ready to pop on the OPST Micro Skagit 5wt rod, with myself opting to spend some time playing with the 4wt and the new D2 tips (Dual Density sink tips), which I am looking forward to getting wet both for light doublehand and singlehand Spey this Spring and Summer. I found a lot of success with the T8 6/2ft tip in both shallower runs and with some manipulation some of the deeper sections. The little 4wt Micro Skagit was great fun with fish on and when the wind wasn’t blowing a gale was a pleasure to cast. It paired up beautifully with a 200gr Commando Smooth although a 175gr could be even more fun for Summer swinging for a crisp, light feel.
Conditions in the central N.I were cold and windy overall, but when the sun shone it was beautiful with signs of things to come. There was definitely no wet wasing going on and I was happy to finally get my new Aquaz Dry Zip Pro waders wet. The previous model are on closeout for anyone with small or large sizes looking to pick up a bargain. The gents were really impressed with the comfort and durability of the impressively priced ILFF Camo wading boots that Brian has been harping on about for a while and with the backcountry looming the Traper Jukon pro boots seem a great addition at the higher end of the catalogue. It was a pleasure to stay with Ross once again at the TRM.
Spring has sprung and those warm days are looming. Check out the Fly Junkie Intruder Ts and Hoodies and show your support with a Carpe Trutta T for Summer! Don’t forget to stock up on tapered leaders, nymphs and dry flies at a great price to keep you out on the water!
Here’s to a great season – and a slow end to the Winter!