Quote for the week: There is no use in walking five miles to fish when you can depend on being just as unsuccessful near home. (Mark Twain.)
Dawn at the Twizel Canals.
Greetings fellow fly fishers,
Well, I am back in the North Island after a good session down in the Twizel Canals. I didn’t catch any more big fish since my last report, but I did drop a few. The fishing down there was generally pretty tough and to be successful you certainly have to put in the time. I was up every morning at 4am sometimes when the temperature was -6 degrees and another morning it snowed quite heavily. I was well insulated though and did not notice the cold and it would have to be said with all the bad weather around the country with wind and rain, I didn’t notice it too bad down at Twizel and indeed there was not a day that I couldn’t fish. I chose to fish the entire time with a fly rod basically nymph and indicator with ever changing weights with split shot to match the continuously changing water flow, crucial to success down here. I enjoyed the experience and feeling a big double figured fish on a fly rod is an experience like no other.
Back in Turangi now and I managed to pop in for an hour or two into the Hinemaiaia River on a trip back from a bit of business that I had in Taupo. There was not a large angler presence, and I picked up a couple of small bows, not quite up to the size of the canals but it is a different sort of fishing which certainly has its own unique appeal.
I’m finding now that the trout are freely taking just about anything and my old favourites like pheasant tail, hare and copper and variants of these are all doing OK. They worked in the canals as well. As I am writing I have just been sent through a couple of nice bows caught in the lower bridge pool today in the Tongariro River.
Hinemaiaia Stream and Fish On.
The next 2 months should see some good fishing in all the local rivers as there are still plenty of late runners going up and also there are lots of hungry Spring trout that will readily take a fly as they munch up to put condition back on after spawning. Also, there is a lot more space on the waters now as many fishers are moving to Fish and Game waters as well now that the new season is open.
Remember, if you are looking to fish waters outside the Taupo district, pick up a licence.
Well, that’s it from me this week so until next time.
For all I Love Fly Fishing gear check it all out out on-line at www.iloveflyfishing.kiwi and order what you need. Feel free to call Barrie, 021-925006 or barrie@iloveflyfishing.kiwi. You will receive your goods in quick order and at a great price.
Brian – NZPFGA Member,
