Things are Heating Up

Literally, it is really bloody hot. This is good though, as abundant insect life means fat and energetic trout who are on the feed. We are coming into what I believe is the best time of year for the fly fisherman. The months of February, March and April are a time where fish look to put on condition for their winter activities and also start to make their way upstream.

Playing around with headlamps and slow shutter speeds on the DSLR

Myself and another keen guy from Fish City who is just starting out fly fishing, recently headed into one of our favourite headwaters to see how things were shaping up before we really get into into the headwater season. Numerous fat bows presented themselves and had a nudge a few dries too. The water was a nice swimmable temp too, which was just as well a seeing as the hike in was out of control hot.

First cast, not too bad!

Typical colourful back country bow

It's always good to spend time outside but the weather we have been having has been just stunning. Make the most of it as it won't hang around forever.

See you out there!

A Hike in the Hills

Happy New Year! I hope everyone has had a fantastic start to the year and that you managed to get out for a fish over the break. We have been doing bit of everything, including some salty fly action in amongst some schools of kahawai and trevally. Nothing like double bent 10wt to start the year!

On New Years day, my girlfriend Aymee and I heading onto the hills to stay the night next to river. I had heard some good things about the fishing in this area and wanted to scout out the place for myself, as well as just get away from the city and spend some time sitting around a campfire. 

First outing for my new hiking tent - really impressed

The 4 hour walk in was pretty flat and the couple of hours fishing I did manage to do was pretty hectic. Quite a few solid fish in the 4-5lb region and very, very fussy. I had just started to work out what they wanted as it was time to head back. I ended up only hooking a couple and making a complete meal of a classic dry fly take and was given plenty of encouragement to make me want to head back there.

Cheese Kransky's over an open fire

Time to play "Spot the Brown Trout"

Last river crossing before heading out

Fishing aside, it was a spectacular couple of days and a great way to start the year. 

Other than this, the Rotorua stream mouths should be firing, there are tuna and kingfish in abundance offshore and the cicadas are starting to sing. This combined with the settled weather we are enjoying should make the fly fisherman very happy. Get out and get in amongst it, it won't come to you!