From: 10/01/2017
To: 10/01/2017
Type of Water: Freshwater
Species: Brown trout, Sea-Trout
As usual October 1st marks the opening of the season in The South Island Of New Zealand.
The weather forecast was for a chilly start , it was in fact 1 single digit above 0, a sunny morning and then overcast from 2 pm.
I had taken my two favourite 6 weight rods, my Orvis Helios, and my Sage One.
I have over the last 15 years kept that special day for myself and for me newly elected President of NZPFGA after a very busy winter dealing with the affairs of the Association it was a great reward to be on the water by myself enjoying what the river had to offer.
As the head guide of Fly Fish New Zealand Ltd I had in mind to put into practice some of the new technics I really want to implement with my clients this coming season.
The river was running a bit high as we recently had a lot of View more...As usual October 1st marks the opening of the season in The South Island Of New Zealand.
The weather forecast was for a chilly start , it was in fact 1 single digit above 0, a sunny morning and then overcast from 2 pm.
I had taken my two favourite 6 weight rods, my Orvis Helios, and my Sage One.
I have over the last 15 years kept that special day for myself and for me newly elected President of NZPFGA after a very busy winter dealing with the affairs of the Association it was a great reward to be on the water by myself enjoying what the river had to offer.
As the head guide of Fly Fish New Zealand Ltd I had in mind to put into practice some of the new technics I really want to implement with my clients this coming season.
The river was running a bit high as we recently had a lot of rain and I knew that the fish would hols into the smaller water pockets or would be right on the bank.
I started at one of my preferred spot away from the roads, and amazingly despite of being a Sunday I did not see a single other car parked anywhere.
I quickly spotted a couple of fish and knew that of i wanted the bigger one I had to get the smaller one out of the way.
Did not take many cast , in reality 2, to get the 4 pounds well conditioned brown to the net. No time to loose , quick release and I am on the bigger one. Looks like it is gone be tougher. It looks quite large but in the dull morning light it is always hard to tell. Here is the take, I strike and the fish takes of in the fast water. Big battle. 5 , 8 minutes... finally get it to the net. Head and shoulder are huge. A fish that would have easy been 11 to 12 pounds last season but has suffered of a severe winter and spawning season. It only weighs 8 pounds. Not a pretty fish that will improve from now on. Quick release is the essence.
I then hook another smaller fish and spook one more.
I decided to cross and just few meters from the other bank swimming on the pillow is a fish. This one only takes one cast to eat the nymph. It is a beautiful fresh fish weighing 8 pounds but immaculate condition. Quick thank you and release as soon as I can.
I then start to move upstream and then have a bal. I will catch within 3 hours another 5 fish, will loose another 2 , breaking me off by running in the very heavy current.
The day will end up by 1 pm when after catching 8 fish from 14 spotted, I meet another angler who obviously jumped me . But I am happy and can go home. There will be another day, another fishing session... I am pleased to see that despite of 5 months inaction the technic is great, and I can without any doubt demonstrate to the clients that the eye is still good at spotting fish. www.fishnewzealand.com will make clients happy for sure.
