Beautiful day on a beautiful river (Tongariro). Fish everywhere and didn’t see another angler all day.
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, what a great week it has been on the Tongariro. The weather has been fine all week and yesterday I took 3 newbies out with the assistance of veteran guide Chappie Chapman and we had a great day out on the best weather day of all ( no wind) and caught some very good fish indeed, all of which you would be very happy to catch in the winter time. They were all hens and even though the trout were rising consistently throughout the day, all the trout were caught on small nymphs.
What was remarkable was the superb condition of the fish. There was not one caught that wasn’t fresh so clearly a number of fish have already entered the river from the lake. The Tongariro is full of fish at the moment but due to the low and clear conditions a bit of patience is required to catch them. For the dry fly I am finding a good lace-wing moth imitation is best and this should continue right through to early April.
There are literally thousands of lace-wing moths drifting down the water awaiting a big hungry trout to gobble them up. It certainly is a great time to be fishing at the moment with very pleasant climatic conditions and large areas of the river unoccupied. The “TT” carpark has been empty for most of the week. There are some good fish up there, but more water is required to really get the fish going. They really are spooky.
Some beautiful fresh fish caught by some first time fly fishers yesterday – outstanding.
Once again, the nymph working best for me has been pheasant tail and variants of these. The Whakapapa and Whanganui are holding good numbers of fish, but I would like to see a good fresh over there to clear the nuisance summer weed that seems to be sticking to the hook on almost every cast.
Well, that’s it from me 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,
