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Beautiful Hinemaiaia 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 gone, and the fishing continues to be excellent. There was a small fresh earlier in the week which helped get some fish moving especially in the Tauranga Taupo River but the small rise in river level was short lived and all rivers are running low and clear. There are plenty of fish in all the rivers, however, but sometimes you may have to move around a bit not so much as to find them but to find where they are biting. It would be fair to assume, at the moment, that there are good numbers of fish through the entire length of all the rivers, but some sections are certainly fishing better than others, and this may change from day to day.
Take today, for example, I decided to put a bit of time into the Tongariro. I found a likely pool in the lower river and started to rig up with high expectations. Suddenly, I heard a voice behind me saying “How’s it going”? I replied “I’ve just arrived “. Then I could not believe it but this angler, an older gentleman, walked straight into the water right where I was about to fish. “So, you are fishing here are you mate”? I said, still in a state of disbelief. “You will probably do OK here because that’s exactly where I was about to go. Now I genuinely believe this old timer had no idea of etiquette and I wasn’t about to create a scene because I didn’t come down to the river for that, but I must admit the hair was starting to stick out on my back. I reasoned that he couldn’t be that arrogant and must have been totally unaware of any wrongdoing, or was he?
Never mind, I moved further down river and joined some other anglers and told them of my little experience much to everyone’s amusement. But this is how a nice day on the river can get pretty heated and turn into a miserable experience so, a reminder to everyone out there, remember your etiquette on the river and you will have a better day. This angler was lucky it was me, who wasn’t too concerned where I fished, that he barged in front of, and I’ll give him the benefit that it was a mistake. Someone else may have given him a real earful and then no one wins. I say to the old timer, if you are reading this, I hope you learn from it. Anyway, none of us touched anything down the bottom so I walked upriver a considerable distance and found a likely spot.
I started swinging and quickly lost one, but things were looking promising. In the next 3 hours I caught 10 superb fish and all hens. I also lost what I believed to be the biggest as it jumped several times giving me a good view of the size of it and it got its freedom on the last jump. Most of the fish were caught on Cleardrift Eggs with a couple taking the “Bomb”. All fishing methods seem to be doing well at the moment, no secrets really, just get out on the water and choose your favourite nymph or streamer and you should be in business. The Hinemaiaia River still has plenty of fish, but more spent fish are turning up now. All the fish I caught in the Tongariro today were in mint condition. The Tauranga Taupo has plenty of fish, but the level of the river is still a bit low for me to spend a day up there. As soon as it gets to around .5m, I will be up there.
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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