Turangi Fishing Report 02 Mar 2022

Brian Willson, professional guide, 021667867, brings us his weekly fly fishing report from Turangi for the Central North Island lakes and rivers.

Hello fellow fly fishers,

This past week has seen more good fishing in the Central Plateau area.
I have just come home after a session on the Whakapapa River. I was nymphing and while I wouldn’t say the river was on fire, it was steady enough and some top fish were landed.

Earlier in the week I have had some great action on the Tongariro River with the dry fly. I always get excited this time of the year when the trout are freely rising throughout the day. It’s a great way to catch a fish but they aren’t easy and certain observations will improve your success.

I have found at the moment lacewing moth patterns are doing the trick and with the clear conditions, a size 16 with the leader as light as you dare is needed. Lacewing moths are everywhere and I have been continuously flicking them off my shades.

I have been using chameleon tippet 4X on the end of a tapered 2X leader and find this is doing the trick. Come visit me in the ILFF shop in Turangi and I can provide everything you need. Ring me anytime 021667867 and I will open up if outside normal hours.

Sometimes you may have to cast a fair distance to reach a trout that is constantly rising in front of you and a size 16 lacewing moth fly will be hard to see. If you have a bigger fly like a royal wulff or a blowfly tied in front by about a meter you will clearly see both flies. When you see the trout rise remember to hesitate on the strike (not always easy). The trout needs to close its mouth as it is heading back down below the surface.

There are a number of brownies in the river, but they are stubborn to catch. I have been targeting a few of these in the last few days and have lost 3 big browns and caught several rainbows.

This coming week I might try a bit harder and a session into the evening will improve my chances.

Hint for the week:
When you get to the river, have a good look at it. Is there a big boulder in it? Trout love positioning themselves in front of boulders. Remember the current splits before it hits the boulder making the water relatively calm immediately in front. The perfect place for a trout to sit and it can easily see its prey drifting downstream. Study the current. What is it doing? Wait for that window that magically appears. Can you see the fish?

Don’t be in a hurry to fish the next pool. Have you methodically and thoroughly fished the pool you are in?

Until next week,
Tight lines,

Brian Willson
NZPFGA

Tongariro River Flow

Tauranga-Taupo River Flow

Brian

My name is Brian Willson and I have been a fly fisher for over 50 years. I am a professional fishing guide and current NZPFGA member of which I have served at executive level and have guided anglers of different skill sets, ages and gender from all over the world. I have also written two books on fly fishing and am a keen artist. I am passionate about fly fishing and the therapeutic qualities it offers and enjoy sharing this experience with people on and off the water. Over the years I have made some amazing friendships that continue to this day. I have partnered up with one of these friendships, Barrie Barnes from I Love Fly Fishing, and I sell exclusively, quality, affordable fly fishing gear at my premises at 8 Wiremu Street, Turangi, the designated I Love Fly Fishing shop in Turangi which is open all hours— just ring 021667867 anytime. I take a serious interest in my clients and freely offer advice when asked and am happy to talk fishing anytime. Tight lines, Brian Willson

all author posts