Caught on the new ILFF ‘KONE’ lure flies.
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, I haven’t done a lot of fishing in the last couple of weeks because for much of it the rivers have all been in high flood. The Tauranga Taupo, as far as I am aware, reached its highest ever level at 3.2m whereas the last recorded highest level was about 2.9 metres back in 2001. The Tauranga Taupo River even made the 6pm news on TV1 when civil defence had knocked on about 70 doors letting residents know that they may have to evacuate.
Fortunately, the river started to drop as the rain held off for a while and continued to drop to a now normal level of about .3. The temperature, too, has taken a rapid drop this week with one morning hitting about -4 degrees 🥶. It is mornings like this that you can be forgiven if you think that any fish you catch may come out of the water shivering. I did have a look at the Tongariro River this morning and had some great action with fly of choice being the Cleardrift Egg. The trout were really attacking them, and colour and size choice didn’t seem to matter. Feeding frenzies like this often happen after a good fresh when the trout are hungry after sheltering up for a while. They will gorge themselves silly, but you have to get on the water at the right time because they will settle down after a while.
Barrie, Mike, Lloyd and myself (all I Love Fly Fishing ambassadors) decided to have a look at the Whakapapa and Whanganui Rivers last weekend after all the heavy rains and unfortunately we were there a bit early after the floods with the Friday being unfishable and Saturday, while an improvement, probably not quite ready and we had to leave early on Sunday which would have been a better day to fish.
Tongariro River track all but gone in the lower river.
The Whanganui River is open all year round in most places, but the Whakapapa is closed to fishing at the end of this month. It is great news that the big chill has arrived and if the fishing carries on like I had it this morning (which I am picking it will) then I think we can experience some pretty good fishing in the months to come.
Well, that’s it from me again this week so, as always, tight lines.
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,
