Client from France fishing The Blue Pool, Tongariro 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.
This week has been relatively fine and the rivers for the most part have been reasonably low and clear. That was until Wednesday morning when the Tongariro River rose from about 30cumecs to 60 cumecs. There has been no rain so obviously Genesis Energy have opened the gates upriver and therefore, doubling the flow. I decided to check out The Boulder Reach for an hour this afternoon (Tongariro) and my first mission was to get over the overflow side water that is halfway along the track enroute to the reach.This was a little bit testy and made me have a bit of a closer observation of the rope that aids the fisher crossing. Normally not an issue but in this case the rope was a necessary aid, and I was quick to discover that there are 3 things wrong with it.
1/ It is too slack
2/ It is too thin in diameter
3/ The knot that greets you in the middle of the cross didn’t really bring me on.
On arrival at The Boulder Reach (which surprise, surprise, I had all to myself), I observed, whilst the river was quick and relatively high, it wasn’t milky that is so often the case when maintenance work is happening upstream, in fact, visibility into the water was surprisingly good. I could see a number of trout in the quieter water near the tail of the pool and close to the true left bank. I started fishing with a conventional nymph rig set up with a bomb connected to a small pheasant tail nymph and was soon in action with a strong bow stripping line at a good rate. By this time, I noticed another guide and his client had arrived on the opposite bank. Suddenly after thinking I had the fish under control, the line went slack (that sickening feeling). I reeled in and my small pheasant tail nymph hook had straightened out. This happens every now and then of course and with the strong flow this gives the trout even more power. I had worse luck earlier on in the week (Tuesday), when the river was around 30 cumecs. I had a French client and his wife and neither of them spoke a lot of English.
Fortunately, I learnt to speak French reasonably well when I was in school, and we got by (I only had them for half a day). I set the man up first and threw a couple of casts out basically showing him what to do. On the second cast, a fish hit, and it was all on. Unfortunately, my client got a bit excited and fought the trout like a Hapuka. I motioned to him to let the trout take line, but he didn’t get the drift (excuse the pun). Next thing there was a mighty crack, and I knew straight away that my rod was broken. I quickly grabbed the line to try and at least salvage the fish but, alas, the leader was broken as well. Not the ideal start to the morning. However, I always bring down a spare rod to the river when I am guiding so I quickly got him going again and explained as best I could, what to do next time. I then set his wife up and she was soon casting a line adequately. About an hour later he was hooked up again further up the Reach and I quickly grabbed the rod off him and guided him out of the water to dry ground and showed him how to let the trout run if it so desires. I then said I would escort his wife out of the water and then assist him with landing the trout.
Spring growth is quickly covering the tracks. – “TT” carpark. I’m the only one there on a fine afternoon. – There are trout by that submerged snag but how can I catch them.
All going to plan and with wife safely on the bank I went back to net the fish. Unfortunately, when the fish (a good one) was getting closer to the net, the Hapuka fever returned and once again, snap!! Not the rod this time, only the leader. It was a pity because it would have taken a good photo. They were really nice people though and thoroughly enjoyed their fishing experience. The Hinemaiaia River is still fishing OK but certainly the best days are behind us on this river with fewer fish now. The “TT” is still fishing well especially when it has a bit of colour. Bad weather predicted for the long weekend so fishing could be interesting. I should mention, when I left to go home from The Boulder Reach the side stream was much easier to cross and I figured that the river must be on the drop. And so, it is. As I write it is now 45 cumecs and dropping but forecast rain on Saturday could reverse this very quickly.
Well, that’s it from me this week 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,
