Quote for the week: Do not tell fish stories where people know you... but particularly, don’t tell them where the know to fish. (Mark Twain, the great American humourist, from his collection ‘More Maxims of Mark’.)
Father and son, Johan and Frikkie at The Boulder Reach.
Brian Willson, NZPFGA member, is a professional guide and I Love Fly Fishing close friend and Ambassador, brings us his weekly fly fishing report from Turangi for the Central North Island lakes and rivers. For up to date info, for what flies are working call Brian, 021667867. Euro/Czech, Dry Fly, Trout Spey, Nymph and Wet Fly.
Greetings fellow fly fishers,
Well, it has been a funny old week this week with weather once again being quite a factor. The early part of the week saw very high south westerly winds making for trying conditions and quite cold at times. Still a reasonable number of anglers out there though so they aren’t being put off by the tough conditions. Wednesday saw a calm fine day on the river however and as I am writing this, (Friday) the weather looks to be about to pack up again. The fishing has been patchy with, at times, some really good action. It’s just a matter of sticking at it, vary your offerings if nothing is working and be a bit patient and rewards will come.
I had the privilege of taking 2 fishers from South Africa out mid-week. As to be expected there was quite a bit of banter throughout the day with the upcoming test between the All Blacks and Springboks on Saturday. They were father and son and Frikkie (son) had already had some success on the Tongariro before they had come to see me, but Johan (dad) was yet to land a prime NZ rainbow. I spent a bit of time with him, and he was picking up the casting pretty well but was having a bit of bad luck having hooked and lost a few fish. I took both of them to The Boulder Reach on the Tongariro where I haven’t been to for a while and was quite surprised how much the river has changed at this spot after recent floods. Strange because other well-known pools like The Cattle Rustlers and Judge’s Pool below it are still much the same.
Johan had a fish on almost immediately and just as quickly he was broken, and I saw this big rainbow leap high out of the water downstream poking his tongue out as they do just to add to gutted feeling. Johan was yelling out something that I did not understand but he repeated the same word several times in the next few minutes. I reassured him there was another one out there as I retied his rig and fortunately, there was, and he soon hooked and landed a nice fresh rainbow hen which he was delighted about to say the least. Weather forecast for the weekend is typical springtime weather when you can probably expect to get a bit of everything.
Some nice fish and a pleasant day on the Hinemaiaia River.
The Hinemaiaia River has plenty of fish, but they are spooky, and the river is quite low and clear making it pretty hard going. But this will improve after the next rain. Likewise, for the “TT” but I will be up there after the next fresh. Not so many anglers up here now but plenty of good fishing can be had in this river for a few months yet. Cleardrift Eggs of various colours are my no 1 choice at the moment but small terrestrials are also worth considering.
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,
