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Deep backwater in the Whanganui River. Is there a brownie in there?
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,
Another week has gone, and we have had a very different weather pattern this week. May was the warmest month on record and last week must have been one of the coldest June weeks ever. Pretty much every day was a good frost and at certain times of the day the roads to the fishing spots were downright dangerous. I went to check out the Whakapapa River a few days ago before it is closed to fishing at the end of June. The road between Turangi and Taumarunui isn’t that good at the best of times and when you travel along it you get quite elevated at times and many areas never see the sun. This particular day I was following a heavy truck that was fully loaded with goods. The driver was being cautious and only travelling at about 30km/hour but suddenly he started drifting sideways down a straight. BLACK ICE!!
Fortunately, he managed to get traction halfway down the straight and managed to be heading in the right direction again. I think he got a hell of a fright as he slowed right down to 10km/hour. I crawled passed him and soon caught up with a light van ahead only to see him briefly sliding. He too was not going fast at all. When you get on black ice you are at the mercy of the elements. I managed to avoid any sort of skid being as careful as I could be, but I warn anyone venturing over this road in the next couple of weeks to drive with the utmost caution. On arriving to the Whakapapa, I experienced very hard fishing in excellent conditions and would have expected a bit more action.
I found it was the same at a couple of spots that I checked out in the Whanganui River on the way home. I will be going back over before the season closes and perhaps check out a couple of other places. The rivers locally have fished OK, not electric but for the patient fisher that has been taking advantage of the beautiful days, reward has come at various intervals. For the super keen fisher who doesn’t mind braving the cold early in the morning before the sun comes up, fishing can be quite fruitful swinging a woolly bugger especially in the lower river.
Some nice silver fish are turning up in the lower Hinemaiaia River but further up close to where the “no fishing beyond this point” is, the fish are there but generally darker. The big runs aren’t here yet, but a lot can happen in a week when it comes to fishing so watch this space. At time of writing all rivers are relatively low for this time of year which makes a change to what we have been experiencing for most of the year. The I Love Fly Fishing shop in Turangi has been busy with more anglers migrating to Turangi in recent weeks. Some carparks have been quite full mid-week but don’t be put off by this. There is plenty of room on the rivers and if you can find a likely spot, fish it with confidence and a fish will find your fly soon enough.
Only 2 weeks left of your current license so make the most of it. The new license fees are going to be around 10% dearer than what you paid last year but I still see this as good value for money for what is on offer.
The I Love Fly Fishing shop has been fairly busy with more and more fishers getting prepared for the great fishing we can expect with the spawning runs underway now. We have a good range of stock in at the moment, just check the ILFF website and if I haven’t got it, I will soon get it in. 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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