Tongariro Lodge receptionist Tracie-Leigh Waikowhai Dallavanzi casting a line on the Tauranga Taupo River.
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,
We are now into mid-September and there are real signs of Spring in the air. My lawns that I have not had to worry about for the last 3 months now need some attention. Along the river too, the vegetation is getting thicker and casting a line in some areas a few weeks ago is now becoming more difficult. Still, the fishing remains very good in all rivers as can be witnessed by the number of anglers still on the river. I had a look at the Waiotaka River the other day. It is a very small river with a lot of overhanging vegetation making casting quite difficult for the novice. However, there are spaces where a line can be drifted, and the river certainly holds a good number of fish. This river is best attacked after a fresh with a floating line and nymph drifted on short passes through the lies. I found pretty much every pool had fish in them and if you want something a bit different you might consider spending an hour or two on this river.
Be careful though, in the middle reaches the river runs through prison land and if you get too far in there, you may not get back out! 😫 The Tauranga Taupo River has been my pick of rivers this week especially earlier in the week when the level was at about 0.4-0.5. I came across a pool that had a number of Jacks fighting each other. When the trout are doing this, they are agitated and often will snap at a well drifted nymph not so much because they are hungry but because they are angry. And so, it proved to be. I think I must have caught every Jack in the pool and one in particular (as you can see in the photo (was bearing some nasty wounds due to battling other Jacks. On Wednesday I guided Tracie-Leigh Waikowhai Dallavanzi (exceptional receptionist from Tongariro Lodge) up the Tauranga Taupo River. Tracie-Leigh is an apprentice fisher and is casting a line very well now.
She managed to hook and land a hungry good scrapping hen which had spawned but certainly wasn’t going to come in easy. Well, done Tracie-Leigh, you played the fish like a pro and had the pleasure of releasing the fish unharmed so that it could return a fresh fish again next year. The Tongariro River has been heavily fished this week right throughout its length. Where are all these anglers coming from? Doesn’t anyone work anymore? Sometimes when the rivers are crowded like this it is inevitable that there will be times when an angler will jump in in front of another. A lot of the time this is naivety but sometimes it is not. It happened to me earlier this week when an older fisher moved in directly in front of me. As I was having plenty of action where I was, I wasn’t too concerned but it amazes me how many people don’t know the fishing etiquette (or do they?).
Result of Jacks scrapping in ‘TT”. One of them not doing so well. – The Waiotaka River again. – All trout, same pool on ‘TT’.
It’s the old story. If you are not sure which way an angler is moving, then ask. Your fishing venture will be a lot more pleasant. Nymphs for me this week have been the Cleardrift Egg as available from I Love Fly Fishing and a small (14-16) pheasant tail nymph also available from I Love Fly Fishing.
Well, that’s it from me this week so until next time, 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,
