Battle scarred Jack from the “Hine”.
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,
The fishing is still alive and well in the Central Plateau and strangely there has been a mass exodus of anglers. I went to the Hinemaiaia River on Wednesday to check it out for some clients from Alaska that I had today Thursday, and the first 3 carparks were empty. Compared to only a couple of weeks ago where you could drive in and pretty much drive straight back out again, it was quite strange to say the least. Strange because there are still a good number of fish in the river and, although they are pretty spooky, the patient angler will be rewarded with some solid hook ups throughout a day’s fishing. I caught some nice fish and decided to check out the Judge’s Pool on the Tongariro in the afternoon.
I joined one solitary angler who was in the middle reaches of the pool, and he didn’t stay long leaving me the entire pool to myself. I was soon into a solid hen which smashed my Cleardrift Egg. Homework over I decided to go home and prepare for my guests for Thursday. Upon wakening it was blowing a gale outside so my thought process was the Hinemaiaia River was the best option especially as I knew bad weather was coming from evening on. So, to the Hinemaiaia River and on route I noticed only a few cars at the Tauranga Taupo carpark. Clearly the big crowds are behind us now and if you want to fish with a certain amount of solitude available, now is a good time to do so.
The clients I took today were a lovely couple and we all had a great day just enjoying the outdoors, listening to the birds and observing the trout going about their business. Mark caught a superbly conditioned, scar free Jack later in the day which he played superbly as he needed to because it was on reasonably light tackle for a fish of this size. The trout was caught on a Cleardrift Egg fly, and this pattern has been responsible for several trout this winter and will continue to catch trout regularly for some time yet. A full range of Cleardrift Eggs are available from I Love Fly Fishing. Check it out.
Nice Jack Hinemaiaia River. – Sheryl and Mark from Alaska enjoying a day on the Hinemaiaia River. – The Judges Pool, Tongariro River.
On Wednesday I ran into local Doc Enforcement Officer and his assistant who were checking licences and doing a survey to get information that is so important for the future of the fishery. The Doc staff do a good job so it pays to be compliant and assist with data collecting as much as you can. Once again, a small pheasant tail nymph has been working well for me in tandem with a Cleardrift Egg of various colours. Plenty of good fishing in the oncoming weeks, I’m sure.
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,
