Greetings fellow fly fishers,
Well, we are already into mid-October and, dare I say it, it will soon be Christmas. I have had an avalanche of bookings for guided fishing come in this week, so I guess it’s fair to say the crazy season is underway. The rivers remain low and clear and, at time of writing (early Wednesday evening), the Tongariro is running at a very low 20.5 cumecs, the Whanganui at 14.5 cumecs and the “TT” at a height of .1. This could all change in the next few days as it has just started raining and we are expecting some significant rainfall over the next day or 2, which could juice up the rivers quite nicely for the weekend.
Despite the low, gin-clear conditions, the fishing in the Tongariro has still been pretty good. I was on it on Monday afternoon and had some good steady action throughout the time I was there. Just a tip that may help when fishing this river when it is low and clear. Whilst I was fishing this large reach, there were a couple of seasoned fishers below me that were throwing everything at a number of sighted fish near the tail of the pool, but their hit rate was nil. I was steadily getting hooked up further up the pool in the faster water. The slower, clearer water at the bottom of the pool may have held more fish but the less wary ones in the faster water were more aggressive. As I have said before, sometimes you will have more success if you cast to fish that you can’t see.
I had invited my fellow fishers up to join me previously after I had caught my first fish, for which they replied, “Thanks, but we’ll be right”. After I had caught fish number 6, I went down to inform them that they are welcome to my area as I was vacating the area. They came up almost at a speed which Usain Bolt would have been pleased with. They appeared to be fishing with glo bugs and I suggested trying small nymphs instead as now, with the warmer weather, I believe it is the way to go, certainly has been for me.
I went over to the Taranaki region last weekend on family duties and tried out one of the many delightful small streams/rivers that come out of Mt Taranaki. I didn’t have a lot of time and I blanked unfortunately and indeed did not even see a trout on a perfect viewing day. This stream had produced for me in the past and I can only assume that there must have been a pretty good flood or 2 in the wintertime that have depleted the fish numbers. This can happen on these small streams.
I was accompanied up the river by a herd of cows that were very keen on keeping me company (see photo). I am glad they weren’t bulls. I have had some hairy experiences in the past when a territorial bull has been very keen to get me out of there. In fact, many years ago I was charged by a wild bull in the northern Ruahine ranges that came straight at me whilst I was crossing the river. I was fortunate that there was a big rock in the middle of the river that I snuck in behind; otherwise, I have no doubt, the bull would have killed me. I have had a healthy respect for them since; they simply have no fear. As for last week, small nymphs are the way to go, although I did catch a few trout on the bomb at the front. I don’t really care what sort of bomb I have at the front (the weight is the key), although the Tonga Bomb, as can be purchased from I Love Fly Fishing, is as good as anything. I am guiding 4 Americans on Sunday who have never fished before, so that could be interesting to talk about next week.
Until next time,
Tight Lines,
Regards,
Brian Willson,
Professional Fishing Guide
I Love Fly Fishing friend and ambassador,
Ph. 021667867