| Report
by Craig Smith of Hatch
Fishing New Zealand
Saturday November 8, 2008
Warm weather, light winds,and clear rivers made
2007/2008 a fly fishing summer to remember and the 2008/2009 season
is also shaping up equally well.
Our backcountry waters opened this week, with
some severe weather (we spent 3 days out of the last 5 fishing in
snow), brisk winds and the odd bit of rain...however, the fishing
was great! The all important river levels were manageable, with
the cool conditions keeping most of the fresh snow in place.
Good numbers of rainbow trout up to 5.5lb, with
the odd larger brownie also landed made for a fantastic week. I
found the condition of the fish was quite good for this time of
year, while the amount spotted was down slightly. Some of the fish
took easily, while the larger fish (as usual) took many careful
presentations and fly changes to either take or cruise off with
a few shakes of a very large tail to hide on the bottom on the pool.
We attempted one memorable fish in a steep feeder
creek, with multiple presentations and fly changes, only to be rejected
and thought we would try it again on the way back. Again after many
fly changes, large, small, different colours, careful drift management,
the client gave up. His mate then stepped in and had a single cast
with the rig that the fish was first presented with earlier, and
it rolled over and took with no hesitation! I'm sure you can imagine
the banter that followed!
Angler pressure has been high as usual on opening
week, with up to 20 vehicles reported at some spots on the Ahuriri
River, as well as large numbers of people on the local rivers.
During this week it is worth making the effort to get away a bit
further, and for the last 5 days I have fished and not seen another
angler on the water.
The season for lowland rivers so far has been
interesting, with some good fish being caught when conditions allowed.
Lake
Hawea is still low at the moment, making the drop offs easily
accessible, as well as shoreline stalking areas where cliffs are
the usual impediment., although it is rising fast, which sees some
great browns cruising in close to snap up some easy prey, perhaps
a bully, damsel or cheeky dry presentation...
Lake
Wanaka has settled down, with close to average levels making
access easier.
Flies that have been working on the rivers are gold
bead head hare and copper types, tied with red copper, tungsten
black beads for the browns, and several dry takes on mayfly
imitations such as Dads
Favourites in a size 12 to make things really interesting.
The team at Wanaka Sports on Helwick Street
have a good selection of flies including those mentioned above,
as well as some great fishing caps (especially the ones with the
Hatch Fly Fishing logo!!).
Good luck and tight lines.
Craig Smith
Hatch
Fishing New Zealand |
