The Hinemaiaia River. The dark shadows in the foreground are fish.
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, another week has passed and not much has changed on the fishing front. The weather certainly isn’t getting any warmer. I know for sure that I have used more firewood this year than the previous 6 years. All the rivers are low and have been consistently pretty low throughout the whole winter thus far. What we need is a really good flood to really get these fish active. The lake is very low as well, perhaps 1.5m lower than it should be. I had a look at the Hinemaiaia River yesterday and once again, like all the rivers, it was stacked with anglers everywhere. I was going to turn around and head straight out again when I decided to at least have a look and see if anything would make me stay. I had a look over a big pool and saw some fish, no, a lot of fish just sitting on the other side.
On closer inspection I could see good numbers of spawning fish right throughout the river. Now the trick to fishing the Hinemaiaia when there are good numbers of fish and seemingly just as many fishermen is to find a spot anywhere possible and fish with confidence because the fish will come to you. But be aware, the fish are very spooky because of the added angler presence, and you will need to be patient and precise to succeed. If nothing is happening, I suggest you reduce the size of your nymphs to about a 16 behind your bomb. The weight of your bomb will depend on what sort of water you are fishing, indeed in many areas your bigger nymph may not need any weight at all.
I have found the size 16 pheasant tail nymph is working pretty well with or without a bead head and also small cleardrift egg patterns are doing the trick. Use what you like for a leader (mono or fluorocarbon) around 2X, but I like to use the camo stealth mono between the 2 nymphs as available from I Love Fly Fishing. It is a very fine dual colour monofilament that is very hard for the fish to see. I suggest the improved clinch knot is the best knot to use with this line to avoid slipping. I caught a number of fish up the Hinemaiaia but. I had to be pretty patient and be aware of my presentation as these fish were not easily fooled, many of them were too interested in spawning than eating and will never take anything. Don’t waste your time with these fish. Also, be careful where you wade. There are spawning redds everywhere, try not to disturb them.
Hinemaiaia River fishing.
As I am writing (early Thursday evening), the heavens have finally opened up and with a bit of luck it may continue for some time, but I feel it may be short lived. The Tongariro and Tauranga Taupo rivers are also very low and while some nice fish are coming out, generally the fishing isn’t fast and furious, but we are in the best month now and when the right weather comes this will change and quite quickly. The Olympics have been good viewing and we have got the great showdown of Lisa Carrington and Aimee Fisher in the 500m kayak sprint on Saturday as well as the All-Blacks v Argentina so plenty to look forward to..
While I am not selling, I Love Fly Fishing gear from the store in Turangi now, I would recommend you look at the products online, 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.
Well, that’s it for another week so get out there and do it, you won’t be disappointed. -Brian – NZPFGA Member,
