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Beautiful country, upper Rangitikei 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, it has been a busy week with guiding and seeking out fishing spots. I have just come back from a helicopter trip into The Upper Reaches of the Rangitikei River after being part of a guiding team taking a family of Americans. I had taken half of the family the day before on The Tongariro which was a bit of a dress rehearsal for this trip but more on that later. The day was fine although a little windy, but the scenery was stunning. The family managed to catch a few fish between them with an 8-pound brute being the highlight of the trip. It had rained pretty heavy the night before and the river was up just a bit although still crystal clear but deceptively deep in places and quite fast in places making river crossings tricky in places making a cautious approach essential. Fortunately, there were no issues, and they were a delightful family to guide.
As previously mentioned, I took the younger 2 of the family the day before on The Tongariro. The day was grey, and we even had a good cloud burst later in the afternoon. The Tongariro is quite milky at the moment and I’m not quite sure why. It is making sight fishing difficult. The day before, I guided this couple, I went down to The Boulder reach to check out the waters. I opened up the back of my Subaru SUV and Lo and behold, 2 of my 3 rods were missing. I knew straight away that I had left them against a bush at the end of Grace’s Road carpark the evening before. Could I be lucky? I raced back to the carpark and of course the rods were gone.
Has an honest person picked them up? I thought I would ring up Sporting Life in Turangi to see if they had had some rods handed in. They hadn’t but they knew who had picked them up and gave me a phone number. Whew, I got lucky there. Anyway, I rushed back to The Boulder Reach and now I had some company whereas the carpark was empty beforehand. I arrived at The “Reach” and an angler was up the top, so I stationed myself down the bottom.
I was soon into a very strong Jack that gave me a hell of a scrap and. I was beginning to wonder if. I was going to land it. Fortunately, I did, and there is a picture of it in the photo spread. About half an hour later I was into another strong Jack that fought like a Brownie. No runs, he just positioned himself in the middle of the river and quietly swum around me. The fish was a mirror image of the first. 2 prime fish and 2 totally different fights. Both of these fish I sighted, and they both took a cleardrift egg first cast at them.
Anyway, I took the young American couple there the next day and spotting fish was a lot more difficult as the day was very grey and the river appeared to be milkier than the day previous. Gabby caught one here though and although it was recovering, it gave a good enough scrap to let us know that he wasn’t happy. I took the Texans to The Judge’s Pool later and had some good action over a short period near the tail of the pool. I have always liked this Pool which is more of a reach and fish can be found throughout all its length. Sometimes it will fish better at one end than the other so don’t be down hearted if you arrive here to find someone is fishing in your preferred spot. There is plenty of room for a number of rods here (like The Boulder Reach) and you can fish with confidence. Just make sure to concur with an angler who may be in the water and tell him your intentions, (some fishers use down streaming techniques here).
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.
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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
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