Played the fish like a pro.
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.
I hope you are all well and keeping warm. I am writing this report in an Auckland Motel at the moment as I have a presentation to deliver to the North Shore Fly Fishing Club tomorrow.
The daily temperature is certainly getting that winter bite in it now and this morning I left Turangi in a heavy frost with much of the farmland around the Western side of the lake quite white in colour. I had one slightly scary moment coming down a hill and hitting black ice which momentarily had me sliding for a short period, so be warned if you are coming down this way either side of sunlight hours that the roads are very slippery as well. I was informed that motorists were also being warned about travelling around Hatepe Hill. That area never sees the sun and can be slippery all day.
In the weekend I took 2 regular clients Erica and Mike (father and daughter) to the Tongariro River. I elected to try the lower river first without success, although the river looked very fishy running at about 38cumecs and had that nice milky tinge through it. The day was beautifully fine after a couple of days of wet weather. I decided to go upriver a bit to try above the SH1 bridge and was surprised to see a lot of water that had no fishermen although I did spot a few despondent looking fishers coming down the track as I was on my way up. I set Erica up in a prime spot and within 5 minutes she had a hit but no connection. Anticipation was high and about 20 minutes later Erica had caught a snag.
I offered to try and get the rig off the snag and grabbed the rod and started walking upstream. Strangely I still had the snag, but the indicator was moving upstream with me. Then suddenly, a jolt, and of course it was in fact a trout that had very quietly sucked in the Cleardrift Egg. I handed the rod back to Erica and suddenly the fight was on. The trout was a silver fresh rainbow and was on for some time before eventually spitting the hook when almost in the net. Clearly the trout was not well hooked, and Erica did very well to keep the trout on for so long. Never mind, try again as they say and not too long after Erica was on again, an even bigger fish this time and giving a very good account of itself. This one had smashed the Tonga Bomb in front of the Cleardrift Egg and as long as we didn’t get busted, this fish was going to end up in the net. Another silver rainbow hen of around 4 pounds.
American client Bill casting a good line “TT” mouth. – Regular client with a good fresh bow on in the The Judge’s Pool, Tongariro River. – Fish on at the mouth of the “TT”.
The day was very pleasant, but it certainly cools down around 3:30pm when the sun gets low. Fishing was a bit tougher today, but they are certainly there, and timing is key. There is no real need to get up at Sparrow and freeze your butt off at this time of year. You will catch plenty of fish between 10am and 2pm and often when you get to your favourite fishing area, you will come across several early fishers coming out, cold and fishless. The Hinemaiaia and TT are starting to get a bit more angler attention now and will continue to do so (especially the Hine) in the upcoming weeks.
Well, that’s it from me again 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,
