“There is a split second when the world is perfect. It is when you cast your fly, and your line is straightened, and the fly is about to drop to the water, before the fish has seen it, and before the world has a chance to change.”
— John Gierach (from Dances with Trout)
Tim from the US Fly Fishing the Tongariro for the first time
Greetings fellow fly fishers,
Well, we are now into December and Christmas is fast approaching.
As I am writing this (Wednesday afternoon) we are experiencing a very violent thunderstorm accompanied by a deluge of rain and hailstones the size of marbles, with some being considerably bigger.
I was supposed to be guiding today, but by mutual agreement with my clients, we decided to wait until tomorrow. It was a wise choice because I wouldn’t want to be out in this. I have them for 2 days (regular clients, man and wife), so they will feature in the next report.
I had the pleasure of taking out an American from Florida last Friday on the Tongariro. I had a dream start to the day. I got Tim, who had never fly fished before and whose previous biggest trout was a 6-inch beast from a lake in Alaska, into position and demonstrated how to cast the line when. A trout struck immediately. I quickly handed the rod back to him, and with a bit of assistance to get back to the bank, he managed to land his first NZ trout.
Shortly after, he was into another fish, this one even bigger, but unfortunately, it bolted downstream and wrapped itself around a snag and took everything. Not to worry, a quick re-rig and we were back in business. A few more average trout were caught and lost, and then it went quiet for a while.
Tim was a quick learner, and by now he was casting very well. Whilst he had not fly fished before, he had done plenty of alternative fishing. I walked him up the current a bit just to work a different area, and as he had his line trailing behind him, a trout came up and smashed the bomb.
Obviously, as we were moving upstream, some trout were following behind us, picking up on the nymphs that we were generously dislodging as we walked. The trout took off like a rocket. “Does it count?” said Tim. “Too right”, I said, and he soon brought a nice fresh hen to the net. Tim said in Florida, if he were knee deep in water, he would not be able to see his feet. The biggest problem you have to be aware of over there is the alligators. Apparently, there are approximately 1.3 million alligators in Florida, and they are found in every county.
Stunning day fly fishing the Tongariro River
Obviously, as we were moving upstream, some trout were following behind us, picking up on the nymphs that we were generously dislodging as we walked. The trout took off like a rocket. “Does it count?” said Tim. “Too right”, I said, and he soon brought a nice fresh hen to the net. Tim said in Florida, if he were knee deep in water, he would not be able to see his feet. The biggest problem you have to be aware of over there is the alligators. Apparently, there are approximately 1.3 million alligators in Florida, and they are found in every county.
We also had our lunches on the bank, and he said he would not be able to do that back home. The bears would have them for sure!! Fishing this week has been good, and I don’t know how long this river of rain is going to continue, but it is probably the heaviest I have experienced this year, and the rivers are sure to rise. Hopefully not too much though, and there should be some good fishing once the waters recede a bit, making the weekend look pretty good as the long-range forecast is for fine weather.
Small nymphs have been doing it for me, i.e. hare and copper, pheasant tails and variants of these, and when the water is clear, I have been catching them on size 14/16. A bit of colour in the water and you can perhaps move to a 10/12.
Still not many anglers around, and this morning there were no cars in the “TT” carpark, but there are fish in there for sure. The Hinemaiaia River is still producing ok as well, so worth a look.
Well, that’s it from me for this week, so until next time,
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.
Brian – NZPFGA Member,
