Cattle Rustlers Pool, Tongariro River.
Brian Willson NZPFGA member, professional guide and I Love Fly Fishing shop partner, 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 and if you want to call to the shop – 8 Wiremu Street – call Brian on 021667867. Brian fishes Euro/Czech, Dry Fly, Trout Spey, Nymph and Wet Fly.
Greetings fellow fly fishers,
Well, another week has come and gone, and the All Blacks are on track to bring the trophy home. I am hoping my next week’s report confirms this, but I have this hunch that the boys will do the job. Fishing has been good this week, but more recovering fish are turning up now and while not as great looking as the fresh bullets that have been dominant, they are still good fun on a line as they are keen to put condition back on after spawning.
The Hinemaiaia River has been fantastic throughout the winter/ early spring months, but the numbers of fish are starting to diminish now as is to be expected. Still, a nice place to relax, get out of the wind and having a chance of snaring a Rainbow. The Tauranga Taupo River is worth pursuing especially if we get more rain. At this time of year, I believe, this river can be the best of all rivers in the area with the right conditions and you can expect to fish without too much company.
I am finding the trout are eating more terrestrial insects now although the cleardrift egg, which has been good for me in recent months, is still doing the business. Dry/ Dropper is also a good method at the moment as more and more fish are rising to the surface. It is predicted that we are going to get a very dry summer this year and it could be a bumper dry fly season. That would be great as we totally missed out on this last year. If you stick to your favourite pattern of nymph, you should be fine but keep an eye on the size. Sometimes #14 or even #16 are the way to go.
At time of writing, I have arrived in the South Island. My aim is to chill out for the best part of a week after a pretty intensive week with my Australian guests. I will have another crack at the canals to see if I can snare a big one this time and may be look at some of the southern rivers now that they are now able to be fished since the season opened on October the 1st. There really are some beautiful rivers down this way. So, my next report will largely tell you about my adventures down south, but I will still be monitoring what is happening in the Turangi District.
As always, all your fly fishing and fly tying needs call and see me at the I Love Fly Fishing Shop in Turangi, 8 Wiremu St, phone 021667867. If there is anything you need, give me a ring and I will open up anytime (within reason of course 
), just call me and I’ll sort you out. 021667867.
