Turangi Fishing Report 23 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 again fellow fly fishers.

Well, the drought has finally broken and yesterday, (Monday), the heavens really opened up and all the rivers received some much needed rain. The fishing up to this point has still been good with all methods having success. Today the rivers are a bit discoloured but not too bad and I am suspecting the next few days the fishing should be very good as the rivers clear.

The trout pictured were some beauties I caught earlier in the week on the Whakapapa River. They were 7lb, 6lb 5lb and 5.5lb respectively and caught within half an hour of each other. Ten minutes previous to this I had a very big brown on in the same place. The fish, a big Jack, screamed off downstream in a strong , deliberate run and almost had me spooled before the line went slack.

I reeled the line in and I wasn’t busted but the hook on my size 12 pheasant tail nymph was straightened!!  Previous to this the fishing had been slow so it just goes to show, be patient and you never know when they will decide to come on. All the fish were caught Eurostyle on a V nymph rod and Euro line available at the ILFF shop Turangi.

This week has seen good dry fly action on the Tongariro and Tauranga Taupo but I suspect the lace moth patterns will have passed there used by dates shortly. Traditional patterns like the Adams, Parachute Adams, Royal Wulff and Dad’s Favourite will be the flies of choice in the upcoming weeks.

The ILFF shop in Turangi has been busy with customers requiring a range of different products from waders and boots to rods and reels with all the goodies as well. The ILFF shop is well equipped for all your fly fishing needs. Come and have a chat with me sometime and I will see you right and all at very affordable prices. Ring me on 021667867 anytime.

I have a bit of guiding to do this week so hopefully, when the rivers settle down a bit, I will be able to put some smiles on some clients faces.

Until next time,

Brian Willson

NZPFGA member. 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

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