The Whanganui 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,
Well, it has been a full-on week with guiding this week with some good stories to tell. I have just come off the Whanganui River with an American couple and had quite an eventful day on the river. I reckon these fish are getting stronger every year. We had some moderate success (a number of fish hooked and lost) and at the end of the day my female client asked me if I could throw a few casts and give her a rest. While I normally would not fish whilst guiding, if the client suggests this, I am more than happy to oblige. It wasn’t long before I was hit by an absolute horse that leapt high out of the water at least half a dozen times and it was immediately evident that this was a very big fish that if I had any show in landing it, I would have to follow it down river and fast as it was stripping line out fast.
Soon it had got itself around a Boulder in the middle of the river and I thought. I had lost it. I managed to get the line over the Boulder and the fight resumed but, alas, it was short lived, and the trout was soon after disconnected and had found freedom. I was gutted but my clients were in awe of what they had just witnessed. They had never witnessed a fight like that. I had lost the fish some 250 metres down from where I had hooked it and was almost spooled. 😬
Any way the fishing on the rivers has been challenging due to lack of rain, however there are good numbers of fish, especially in the Tongariro. I have had some good success around the river mouths with silicon smelt flies doing the damage. The evenings are showing some excellent surface activity with trout breaking the surface everywhere including some big browns in the lower Tongariro. The Tauranga Taupo River needs some rain to get a bit of colour in it and to get the fish moving. I took a French couple out the other day and the lady could speak very little English, and her partner was better but hard to understand sometimes.
Virginia and Stephane from France enjoying a day fly fishing. – Richard from British Columbia with a fine fish from the “TT” River mouth.
I asked him what line of work he was in, and he replied “Horse Seller”. I was naturally impressed and replied “Thoroughbreds? To which he replied, “Tobacco products and things like that”. I then realised he wasn’t a horse seller, rather a Wholesaler. 🥵 We got through the day ok and caught some fish and because I can speak a bit of French, I could communicate adequately with Virginia who could work out what I was saying in French even if at times I wasn’t totally accurate.
Well, the fine weather continues but rain is not far away and hopefully this will make the fish locally, a bit more receptive. 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,
