“Far away Tongariro! Green-white thundering Athabasca river of New Zealand! I vowed I would come again down across the Pacific to fish in the swift cold waters of this most beautiful and famous of trout streams. It is something to have striven. It is much to have kept your word.“ — Zane Grey
Fly Fishing the Whanganui
Greetings fellow fly fishers,
Well, we are now well into summer but are still having some big variations in temperature, with some days being extremely hot (30 degrees +) and at time of writing (midday Wednesday 17/12), quite cool and raining steadily at about 12 degrees. A few days ago I went over to the Whanganui River for the first time this season with a couple of clients. It was a beautiful hot day, and the river was in good order and produced some excellent fish. I took my clients to some of my hot spots, and a couple of areas I thought would produce fish were quiet, but I think next time I go over they will produce the goods.
I have always liked the Whanganui and Whakapapa Rivers, with my preference probably being the Whakapapa, but when guiding two anglers, I find the Whanganui a safer option. The other good factor about these rivers is that there are many places where you can get out of the wind when it is blowing, certainly easier than the Tongariro River.
I am still finding the best fish in the Tongariro in the lower reaches, with several recovering fish above the SH1 bridge. Good fish are amongst them, though, so perseverance is the key. All methods seem to be working okay, and I am having good success swinging flies in the bigger pools. It’s a good time of year to try some of your homemade flies and nymphs, as the recovering fish are keen and eager to put condition back on and will take most offerings.
The Tongariro River Produces Again
When nymphing in the slower pools, ensure you get your nymphs down, even adding split shot if you need to. Shallower water lends itself to the dry dropper, lightly weighted (if necessary) nymph, or even just a dry. It looks as though it might be clearing up a bit, so a bit of a flick this afternoon looks very likely.
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 Johan, 021-02209719 or johan@iloveflyfishing.kiwi. You will receive your goods in quick order and at a great price.
Until next time,
Tight lines,
Brian – NZPFGA Member,
