ISSUE #16
S P R ING SUMME R 18/ 19
F RO M T H E E D ITOR Wow, I think we’ve actually managed to time an issue to kick off at the very start of the fly fishing season for once! Always full of good intentions, distractions usually get in the way but thanks to some reasonable planning and very efficient contributors we got there. This is being written a couple of days into October so we don’t have too many reports filtering back to Manic HQ just yet but by all accounts things are set up pretty well to kick things off for most of the country, so make the most of it before spring does its thing and starts to throw the traditional weather curve balls. This issue of Flyfishers Inc is jam packed with all sorts of different worlds of fly fishing with the usual solid back bone of the classic NZ trout stuff. So have a flick through and hopefully get inspired to do something a little bit different as well as getting back to some of your old faithful haunts that you might not have visited for a while. Have a great season. Chris.
COVER: Hannah Clement has been crushing it over the last couple of seasons as evidenced by this stonker of a fish. Guiding out of Owen River Lodge for her seasons she has been super busy getting clients onto such fish every other day, whether or not they convert is over to them.
STU HASTIE
KIYOSHI NAKAGAWA
JAKUB KANOK
GUS LAPIN
SIMON CHU
TIM ANGELI
ANDREW HARDING
CHRIS DORE
JAMES NORNEY
CO NTRIBU TORS These are the mega talented guys that are out there doing all the fishing, photography and filming for Flyfishers Inc that we wish we could be doing. Instead we’re here putting it all together, quietly shedding a tear and wondering if we’ll ever be able to go fishing again. Maybe in 2019...until then these fellas will just have to keep doing the hard yards on our behalf.
NICK REYGAERT
LUBIN PFEIFFER
KYLE ADAMS
JEFF FORSEE
MATT TRIPET
MIKE KIRKPATRICK
LUCAS ALLEN
RENE VAZ
ANDREW BURDEN
CONTEN T S 10
ALEX THE KID
32
NATSUYASUMI
44
FLY FIVES
46
I’D RATHER BE FISHING
52
DINE & DASH
64
JURASSIC 2.0
82
MUD MARLIN
94
SOUL FOOD
110
THE A.F.O EXPERIENCE
122
BE A FLY JEDI
136
OPERATION G.T
148
SURVIVING WINTER
162
2017/18 SEASON
172
SOUTH NORTH
186
EARLY SEASON
192
REVIEWS
212
GEAR JUNKIE
224
FLY SWAT
At Prima l w e h ave a s i m ple design philosophy, we put the b e s t c arbo n f i bres in the optim a l position in t he rod to c re at e a s mooth flex a nd ra pid recover y r ate . We st art wi t h o u r UHC technology of a n UltraLight He lic al Co re t o s upport hoop strength a nd stabilise the bl an k i n f l ex. This is overla id with hi gh m odulu s fibre s re i n f o rced with our ANR technology r es in (Ampl i f i e d N an o R esin) which reinforces the blank with o u t dampe n i ng the gra phite fibres. All of this co mbi n e s t o c rea te a rod tha t delivers high l ine spe e d wi t h a ve r y sta ble tip pa th. This crea tes a s mo o th we dg e s h aped ca sting loop tha t cuts t hr oug h win d an d de l i vers long a nd a ccura te ca sts.
INSTINCTIVE
DEFINIT
PRIMAL RAW FRESHWATER SERIES PRIMAL RAW FAST ACTION FRESHWATER
8’6
#4
4pc
PRIMAL RAW FAST ACTION FRESHWATER
9’0
#5
4pc
PRIMAL RAW FAST ACTION FRESHWATER
9’0
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4pc
PRIMAL RAW FAST ACTION FRESHWATER
9’0
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4pc
PRIMAL RAW FAST ACTION FRESHWATER
9’0
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4pc
E PERFORMANCE
TIVE STYLE
PRIMAL MEGA SALTWATER SERIES AVAILABLE MODELS PRIMAL MEGA FAST ACTION SALT WATER
9’0
#8
4pc
PRIMAL MEGA FAST ACTION SALT WATER
9’0
#9
4pc
PRIMAL MEGA FAST ACTION SALT WATER
9’0
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4pc
PRIMAL MEGA FAST ACTION SALT WATER
9’0
#12
4pc
A LEX TH E KID PHOTOGRAPHY & TEXT// Stu Hastie
“WHEN I SEE THAT ELATION LIGHT UP ON MY KID’S FACES, I’M AT MY HAPPIEST.” It’s an amazing sensation, feeling the sudden pulse of a panicked fish as it feels the point of a fly as it’s driven home. There is a sudden explosion of fishy adrenaline which charges like a fast burning fuse through the line, your rod, your hand, and ignites your own adrenaline. The tug is the drug for sure. Those first few seconds into your connection are like electric sugar, and there’s not much that trumps it. When I see that elation light up on my kid’s faces, I’m at my happiest. Just sitting back and watching them sponge it all up is pleasure enough some days. It may sound a bit cliché, but it really is a true privilege to be able to share that with the next generation. Their stoke is infectious and rejuvenating, liberating, and a stark reminder of how it once was for us when we were experiencing it all for the first time. Challenge yourself to mentor someone this season. You may well find that you learn more than you teach.
NAT S UYAS UMI PHOTOGRAPHY & TEXT// Kiyoshi Nakagawa
“PACU ARE SUPER STRONG FISH AND WHAT’S BEST IS THAT THEY LOVE TO TAKE A DRY FLY.” It’s always nice to go back home and fish with good friends however this year many large typhoons hit while I was visiting in Japan. The main plan was to go Mahimahi fishing but that was cancelled with the bad weather. However, we managed find some Pacu fishing which were brought to Japan from the Amazon to be farmed. Japan thinks of everything for the keen fisherman and fisherwoman! Pacu are super strong fish and what’s best is that they love to take a dry fly. I thought it was bit of overkill using the Scott Meridian 10wt and Lamson Cobalt but we found out very quickly that you wouldn’t want anything less! I also spent a little bit time fishing for Japanese Char and Yamame at Nagano prefecture. As usual it was a beautiful back country spot with good fishing and food. I don’t know what else I need to say, you should just visit yourself and find out! What’s better than enjoying summer sunsets, fireworks and chilled Japanese beers while it’s freezing cold and miserable back in New Zealand?
FLY FIV E S
C RA IG R I ST
Craig Rist started fly fishing and fly tying for trout and many salt water species in Tasmania when he was 14 years old. His passion for fly fishing has never wavered and he is constantly seeking out new personal fly fishing goals and experiences that are both mentally and physically rewarding. He is a regular contributor to Tasmania Fishing and Boating News magazine and FlyLife Magazine where he always endeavours to inspire its readers with his stories. Craig loves the fact that fly fishing makes him want to explore what’s around the next bend in a river, that remote Western Lakes tarn just over the next hill or that saltwater flat somewhere in Australia or on the other side of the world.
5 B E ST F ISHIN G M OM E N TS
1. Sight fishing giant tarpon in Florida with Captain Gjuro Bruer 2. Sight fishing Tasmanian Western Lakes browns with Nick Reygaert 3. First Australian Permit caught on the flats of Cape York during a road trip with great mates 4. Catching rooster fish in Mexico with Clint Isaac 5. Catching big rainbows at Jurassic Lake Argentina
5 FAVO URIT E D E ST I N AT I ON S 1. Western Lakes Tasmania 2. Florida 3. Jurassic Lake Argentina 4. Mexico Baja California Peninsula and Cancun 5. South Island New Zealand
5 FAVO URIT E FL I E S 1. Dore’s Mataura Spinner
2. Swisher’s LLS Chernobyl 3. Harro’s Worm Hook Deceiver 4. Kickin’ Baitfish 5. Dore’s Mr Glister
5 SUPERSTIT IO N S OR H A B I TS 1. Tying last minute flies in the car on a road trip 2. Never travelling without a fly tying kit 3. Hiking into a location at night so I never miss out on a single hour of sight fishing 4. Always carring a Jacket into the Western Lakes 5. Always looking for a new epic adventure and challenge in fly fishing
5 PIECE S OF E S S E N T I A L GEAR 1. Simms G3 Guide waders 2. Simms G4 Pro jacket 3. Tonic polarised sunglasses 4. Simms Guide pliers 5. Simms Solarflex sun gloves
I’D RAT H E R B E FI SHI NG PHOTOGRAPHY & TEXT// Alex Exton
“YOU JUST CAN’ T BEAT THE FEELING OF BEING ALONE WITH CICADAS CHIRPING AND GIN CLEAR WATERS.” I’ve been working at North Canterbury Hunting and Fishing for coming up three years now. Along with another night shift job to keep me busy. Working in the store involves a lot of hanging clothes and wishing I was fishing, but also passing on tips to customers and getting them out there doing it themselves is hugely satisfying. I value the community fly fishing brings and one thing that I find super rewarding is getting young guys or even older guys into the sport with just basic gear and then seeing their success as they grow as fisho’s. I’ve always enjoyed fishing. One day I stumbled across one of Mike Kirkpatrick’s videos on YouTube and knew this was my next step into fishing. I was lucky enough for Mum and Dad to buy a lifestyle block in North Canterbury with a small stream as its boundary which made chasing trout really easy. I guess I would class myself as a small stream buff. There’s always been a lot of options close to home it’s just become ingrained.
Even though work keeps me super busy I try to get out any opportunity I can, even if it’s just for a day trip or a few hours on the local haunts. Whenever I’m not fishing I settle the bug by practicing casting on the lawn at home. I’ve always been more inclined to fish small spring creek streams rather than bigger rivers but an ideal day has to be fishing with mates sight fishing to big browns in the backcountry, you just can’t beat the feeling of being alone with cicadas chirping and gin clear waters, what more could you ask for! Being outdoors is important to me, no matter what it is I’m up to. I hunt from time to time and more recently getting up the hill on a mountain bike is taking second place to fly fishing. Looking further abroad I would love to head to somewhere like the Amazon to chase Peacock Bass and Dorado. Or the Florida Keys to follow the Redfish and Tarpon. Anyone thinking of starting fly fishing do it! It’s such a great way to get out and see some awesome places and meet awesome people. Most of us are friendly and willing to help out the fellow anglers so borrow a rod from your uncle or grandad or better still buy a set up from your local Hunting & Fishing store and give it a go!
High Performance, Pure Fun
DI NE & DASH PHOTOGRAPHY & TEXT// Jakub Kanok
“ THE FIRST BOTTLE OF RED GOT CRACKED WHILE MAKING BREAKFAST AND WITH THE RAIN NOT EASING AT ALL THE SECOND ONE WAS NOT TOO FAR AWAY.” I am not going to lie, this trip has been on my to do list since a not very successful attempt last year when the weather decided to crap out on us just a day after our arrival. This time we sorted out our time off work well ahead and with the superb summer down in the South Island the level of excitement was high. We had over a month of sunshine, temperatures peaking up to 39 C and no rain. This was not ideal for our rivers but imagine having this weather when flats fishing at Golden Bay. But then shit hit the fan! Not even a week before Day 1 things started to go against us. Cyclone Gita was approaching New Zealand, vehicle breakdown, flight cancellation for my mate arriving from Canada and slowly but surely I started to panic. By Day 1 our plan absolutely fell apart. So instead of plan A we went to plan B, then C, then D, and even E…which also did not work, so it was decided to go on a family trip around the South Island. DAY 10: While having dinner at Okiwi Bay holiday park up in Marlborough Sound my phone started buzzing...
DAY 11: I had to try! I dropped my family off at Nelson airport (thanks heaps for letting me go!). With only five days left I knew it was going to be hard work. The Takaka Hill road is the only route to Golden Bay. The road had been taken out by Cyclone Gita`s ravaging storm the previous week, which caused several large slips on SH60 from Riwaka to upper Takaka. Crews had made great progress and were able to partially reopen the road, limiting access to escorted convoys only in limited hours. As we knew that there was priority for residents and visitors immediately affected by the storm and the convoys to deliver supplies over the hill, we contacted NZTA and asked about getting there and the possibility of bringing supplies up for them in order to get up there. We got the thumbs up and slowly made our way to Collingwood. Upon arrival we had the whole Collingwood Holiday Park pretty much to ourselves. At this stage just myself and Marek, but another two parties were supposed to arrive in the coming couple of days. The next morning we woke up to the sound of a solid downpour and it did not look like the front would pass quickly. The first bottle of red got cracked while making breakfast and with the rain not easing at all the second one was not too far away. Our friends started to arrive. Some of us had never met before, some hadn’t seen each other in years, but we all shared the same passion and were there for the same reason, fly fishing. The day turned into night pretty quick. The following day despite the rain and coffee stained water we headed out to try our luck! First day on the water left us with no fish, but as the day progressed weather conditions slightly improved and timing of the tides coming right we were able to target areas where Kahawai chased fish into shallow water. Kahawai might not be why we were there, but hooking them up in ankle deep water sure is a thrill. The sun went down and we slowly started to walk back to shore when I spotted a ray right on the edge of one of the pools created by the incoming tide. He looked as if he had beached himself. Hold on a second, there is a yellow fin there. Not being more than 5 meters away I quickly got the fly out and cast about two meters ahead of the kingfish. A quick chase began but he did not take the fly. I flicked it straight back and basically just did strip set. The reel went screaming. YEAHHHH BOI! The first kingie was on. With every other day the weather improved a bit and so did the fishing. We all worked hard in really challenging conditions over the next five days. Some of us got to taste the power of kingfish more then once, some of us blanked. All that mattered to me was that I had the chance to spend quality time fully submerged into fly fishing and surrounded by absolutely top people. It was a pleasure to meet you all, you are a freaking cool bunch. Until next time! I think I know what I am gonna do different next summer. Third time is a charm, right?
J URASSI C 2.0
PHOTOGRAPHY & TEXT// Nick Reygaer t
“IT’S TROUT FISHING JIM, BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT.” Captain’s Log, Stardate 43198.7 : The Enterprise remains in standard orbit while we investigate an extraordinary rainbow trout fishery in Southern Patagonia on the Planet Earth. Yesterday Scotty, Chief Engineer of the Enterprise, and myself had a remarkable dry fly session where we nailed dozens of double figure rainbows on skated dry fly. One fish, pushing the 20lb bracket, reefed Scotty after ripping 50 metres of backing off his reel in a split second. That fish broke his spirit and the last I saw of him he was wandering along the shoreline mumbling, “I can’nae take anymore, Captain!” Intergalatic superstar : Lago Strobel or ‘Jurassic Lake’ as it has been nicknamed, has garnered its fair share of the fly fishing limelight over the last decade and with good reason. This huge body of water cradled by the Andes Mountains on a high alpine plateau in Patagonia is a trout fishermen’s paradise. The lake has a huge head of fish and average size of the rainbows is around 8lb. If Dr. Spock had been asked to evaluate it, no doubt he would have concluded, ‘It’s trout fishing, Jim …but not as we know it!’
I have been fishing the lake for 7 years during which time I have visited the Estancia Laguna Verde Lodge 6 times for a total 8 weeks fishing. While I don’t have it dialed, it would be fair to say that I have a solid understanding of the fishery. To begin to appreciate how and why Lago Strobel is capable of producing such huge rainbow trout it is best to look at the physical and biological characteristics that set this lake apart from almost any other water body on earth. The lake lies at 48°26’S - 71°11’W latitude which places in it on the Argentinian side of Patagonia but very close to the border with Chile. The alpine plateau surrounding the lake is approximately 1500m above sea level. A combination of cold winters and fierce winds make it very hard for trees to gain a foothold, the result is a rocky barren landscape that at times feels more like the moon than earth. It is a large lake, covering over 100ha and is a roughly circular shape with 65 km of shore. On first impression it looks like an extinct volcanic caldera. Like other lakes of this type, Lago Strobel does not have an outflowing river. It is entirely self-contained with only evaporation and leaching to empty it of water. The reason for the incredible growth rates in the trout is quickly understood when you turn over a rock in the lake shallows. Hundreds of scuds will cover the underside of every rock. These are big, juicy scuds that get bashed off the rocks by big waves whipped up by the furious winds. The result is a ‘scud soup’ that builds up along the shoreline and the trout gently fin their way through with mouths open and stomachs bulging.
THE HISTORY OF STROBEL - HIGHLY ILLOGICAL Lago Strobel is self-contained, therefore the wild trout which are so prolific in the Patagonia region never had the chance to naturally colonise the lake. In fact the fish only made it there by chance. The story goes that an estancia owner was keen to grow some trout in the small lagoons that dotted his property. He bought some fingerlings for stocking which arrived in several batches. One particular batch looked rather sick and the owner decided that he didn’t want to stock his water with such fish so he tossed them into the Rio Barrancosso. He never gave it another thought and no one ever fished the big lake as they thought it was barren. A few years later he was crossing the Rio Barrancosso on horseback and spooked a huge trout out of a pool. Making his way downstream he spooked many more fish. He realised that he now had a viable fishery in the main lake. Large, plentiful trout and great fishing is a common story for many lakes that have been newly colonized as a food is plentiful. But often this phase is followed by a population crash when that food runs out. Fly fishing history is littered with ‘boom and bust’ fisheries, Lake Anawhenua in the 1990’s is a great example from NZ as well as Tamania’s Lake Pedder in the 1980’s. When I first started visiting Jurassic Lake I had strong suspicions that it would follow a similar fate. I could not have been more wrong! If anything I feel like the fishing has got better since I first visited 7 years ago.
TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE Before I went to Lago Strobel I was under the impression that most of the fishing would be blind casting streamers into deep water. While this was something I was more than happy to do to catch big trout, I am addicted to sight fishing. The crystal clear water means that sight fishing is very productive and on numerous occasions I was casting short lines to 10lb plus fish as they cruised the shoreline. Heart pounding stuff! The other highlights of the experience are fishing the Barrancoso River where large rainbows stack up in pools. Since the lodge has exclusive access to 95% river the possibilities of finding fish are virtually endless. There is also a smaller separate system called Moro Creek that offers more than 10 miles river between lagoons that produce rainbows in the 4 – 6 pound range. My favourite technique at Moro Creek is to skate mouse flies or large chernobyls to sighted fish – very exciting stuff! Last year I was invited by the lodge (Estancia Laguna Verde) to explore a part of the lake I had not fished in previous trips. The lodge had recently acquired the fishing rights to another 15km of shoreline in the North-Eastern part of the lake. Previously I had fished the bays and outcrops of 20 km of the lake’s Southern shoreline. By exploring this new water I would have fished roughly half of the lake so I was grateful for the opportunity. This new area goes under the name Pecho Blanco. The lodge has set up a basic but comfortable fishing camp there which can accommodate 4 anglers. The road into the camp drops down off the plateau and affords a great view of all the available fishing. I was licking my chops at the sight of all that great water. Unfortunately the wind had other ideas and blew relentlessly for 6 days straight luckily there are two big bays that are completely sheltered from the prevailing westerly wind. I managed to pull several double figure fish from these bays including a very large jack that would have nudged 16lb. One afternoon the wind completely dropped and I was able to fish the windward shore and had fantastic fishing. My summary of Pecho Blanco is that while the fishing can be fantastic it doesn’t have the variety of fishing options that are available at the main lodge (Estancia Laguna Verde) and this is reflected in the price for a week’s fishing. But for those on a modest budget it is a great opportunity to fish the fabled lake. I’ll certainly return to Pecho Blanco with hosted groups and we have already booked a week at both lodges for 2019 during prime weeks (see www.gin-clear.com).
I CAN’NAE CHANGE THE LAWS OF PHYSICS! No article on Lago Strobel would be complete without mentioning the role the weather conditions play in the fishing and the experience. This is one of the windiest places on earth and when it decides to blow nothing can prepare you for the strength of it. Think howling North-Wester and then add 10 or 20 knots! But wind is a part of life here and like one guide said to me, it wouldn’t be the same place if it wasn’t for the wind, you need to learn to live with it and use it to your advantage. Invariably, evenings at the lodge are spent on the internet downloading the latest forecast so that the next days fishing can be planned around the wind. The lake has many bays and the guides use these to the anglers advantage so it very rare that you will be fishing straight into the wind. It doesn’t blow all the time, I have experienced spells of very calm weather where the wind totally dropped away for several days and the lake was like a mirror. Both the sight fishing and dry fly fishing went up a notch on these days and it was an absolute pleasure to walk around the shore sight fishing for large cruisers.
RESISTANCE IS FUTILE I have always considered New Zealand as the premier trout fishery on earth and I still do. Nothing I’ve experienced matches the variety and quality of trout fishing that we are lucky enough to still have in this country but by the same measure I implore any fanatical trout fisherman to go to Jurassic Lake at least once in their life because it really is like something from another galaxy. Fish long and prosper, Reygaert out!
HOSTED TRIP INFO Gin-Clear ’s hosted trips have become very popular because we absorb the cost of the host, you will pay no more than travelling alone. We also select what we believe are the prime weeks at our chosen destination, so you are hitting it at prime time. Travelling in a group from NZ and Australia makes the complications of foreign travel so much easier especially as our hosts are Spanish speakers and very accustomed to the Latin American culture. Gin-Clear is running hosted weeks to Jurassic Lake in Nov & Dec 2018 as well as Oct & Nov 2019, refer to www.gin-clear.com for all the details.
SUPER DRI TRACKE
QUICK LOAD DISTANCE TAP WF5
ER
PER 5-8
Go with the flo.
The new Airflo SuperDri Tracker floating fly line is designed to load today’s faster action fly rods at all distances. The slightly heavier weight forward head has a moderate taper optimised for casting into the wind and generating higher line speeds. Fast loading for quick-fire short presentations and a long belly for blasting long casts to the other bank when you need it up your sleeve. POWER
CORE
RIDGE TECH
MICRO LOOP
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MU D MARL I N PHOTOGRAPHY & TEXT// Lubin Pfief fer
“ THEY CRUISE THE SHALLOWS, CAN BE REGULARLY SIGHT CAST TO AND SIMPLY GO NUTS WHEN THE HOOK IS SET.” Summer in South Australia gets hot, really damn hot! And the best way we find to try and escape the blistering heat is to grab the fly rods and chase mud marlins. While carp are not everyone’s cup of tea, we don’t discriminate. They cruise the shallows, can be regularly sight cast too and simply go nuts when the hook is set, so they fit the bill for us when the mercury hits 40 plus. Australia really is the land of extremes and you know its carping weather when the floor of the boat burns your feet and toes. Being a noxious species, it’s good to know you can leave the usual targets that are a little more susceptible to heat stress alone, and do the rivers a favour by removing a few carp with the 8wt. Don’t be fooled, these fish are like steam trains in amongst the timber and weed beds. I’ve seen heavy tippet snap in a spray of water and many a four piece rod become a fiver in the heat of the battle. Chasing mud marlins is just outstanding fun. I’ll admit it, I have a bit of an obsession chasing carp during the long summer days. Weaving my way silently under the power of an electric motor through the large dead red gums that have succumb to rising water from the Murray river being locked many years ago. Its white knuckle fishing that I just love. You can see them many ways, either slowly slurping stuff from off the surface, tailing head down in the mud or my favourite, the ones that cruise along the sandy shores. Irrespective of how you find them the outcome is always the same, with them going absolutely bananas in an explosion of water and a fly rod bent to the cork!
THE WATERWORKS LAMSON COBALT SALTWATER FLY REEL A bolt from the blue, Cobalt is a big game powerhouse of a reel packed with technical breakthroughs that’ll change the game on the flats and into the deep. Cobalt features a dual-axis machined frame and the large arbour spool is machined to bring perfect balance without a counterweight. The Cobalt drag is an industry first being IPX8 certified waterproof to 100 feet with custom formulated self lubricating O-rings and a supercharged version of our smooth conical drag system. The power is in your hands with a “set drag” system of adjustment that allows you to set a preferred stripping pressure against a stop. Finally a coating as hard as type III anodize but with 20 times the protection against a saltwater environment, Cobalt is endowed with a stunning, shielding Micralox finish—exclusive to WWL in the fly fishing world.
SOUL FO O D P H O T O G R A P H Y & T E X T / / Ky l e A d a m s
“EVERYTHING WENT OFF WITHOUT A HITCH, ALTHOUGH TARN HAD AN UNPLANNED SWIM.” Generally most fly fisherman are creatures of habit and try to milk what variety we can from our local fishing waters due to time constraints and convenience. That said, there is a component of adventure and stepping outside the comfort zone in the search of that wilderness “top shelf” fishing experience. This takes planning and more dollars spent in order to make it happen. Well this is exactly what happened, with the help of a whirly bird, Craig McEwen (trip Planner), Tarn McEwen and myself enjoyed five days of pristine wilderness backcountry fly fishing.
We opened the fishing with some great fish to the dry fly in bluebird conditions with modest sized fish being plentiful and receptive to eat off the top throughout the trip. The scenery was just stunning through the rugged section we chose with clear water to die for, beautifully formed pools which were often crazy deep with plenty of trout and resident long finned eels for company. With our journey upstream everything went off without a hitch, although Tarn had an unplanned swim. We all swam a pool crossing with our packs on, made a nerve racking scramble round a rock face over a super deep pool and Tarn and I forgot our wading staffs, although we quickly crafted a staff each from nearby Manuka. As the trip progressed, urbanisation, commitments, and work were all left behind after being engrossed in paradise. With no shortage of quality fish landed, now the fishing itch was suppressed and by day five we were happy to put the rods away for our flight out. All the boxes were ticked for a wilderness adventure full of experiences shared with good friends, plenty of banter and will no doubt be a trip we will all treasure for a long time to come. What else can you ask for? I know I came out better off for it. A whole five days of river to ourselves of top shelf quality fly fishing was a timely reminder of how lucky we are to have such a great resource at our disposal.
TH E A.F.O EXPE R I E NCE PHOTOGRAPHY & TEXT// Gus Lapin
“EVERY QUESTION YOU HAVE WILL BE ANSWERED SO BE PREPARED TO TAKE A NOTEPAD AND PEN.” Recently I’ve come to realise the importance of impulse decisions. Sometimes saying yes before you even think about it can produce some of the best experiences. That being said, if you get a call from Dave Bradley, the man behind Australian Flyfishing Outfitters, inviting you up for a four-day fishing trip, the word yes should be the first thing that pops out of your mouth. Quick as a flash, I was on the phone to Andrew Fuller from The Flyfisher in Melbourne. “We going fishing?” “Yep.” Next thing you know, flights are booked to Townsville and Hinchinbrook was no longer a fleeting idea, but finally a reality.
What followed was an incredible four days of amazing fishing, even better company and exposure to the immense wealth of knowledge these guys have collected over a lifetime of fly fishing. Amos Mapleston, Al Simson (Kettafly) and Ian Kucurs rounded out the team at AFO and their dynamic approach to guiding is refreshing and incredibly enjoyable. All of these guys have extensive experience fly fishing not only in Australia but also around the world. Every question you have will be answered so be prepared to take a notepad and pen. The AFO lads have astonishing respect for the fishery at Hinchinbrook Island and have dedicated much of their time conducting research and studies of the area to not only maximise fishing potential, but to ensure the resource remains sustainable. If you’re looking for an amazing saltwater fly fishing experience, pretty much on your door step, give Dave a call. You won’t be disappointed!
B E A FLY JE DI TEXT// Simon Chu PHOTOGRAPHY// Tim Angeli
“BE GREAT IN ACT, AS YOU HAVE BEEN IN THOUGHT” - W. SHAKESPEARE (JEDI) We’ve all heard the adage, 10 % of the anglers catch 90% of the fish. Are you a ten percenter? Do you drift to the dark side? Will you be a fly fishing Jedi? Where would you like to take your passion, your angling? Let Yoda and me share a simple mantra with you to achieve success, whether it is catching more fish or experiencing amazing angling experiences. Planning, Preparation, Practice and Perseverance. Plenty of advice to improve skillsets, accumulate experience and catch more fish. Four important P’. However, to even begin we must choose the path which is wholly determined by our own mindset. The ABCDs of success.
A IS FOR ATTITUDE. I AM. Am I the angler I wish to be? Who are my role models and what do I admire about them? If I am going to be the angler I imagine myself – then seek out those who you wish to emulate and consider what traits, experiences and skills you want for yourself. “Always two there are, no more, no less. A master and an apprentice.” - Yoda.
B IS FOR BELIEF. I CAN. Whether it is making the cast in the immediate present, taking a great photo, travelling the world to fish or becoming the fly fishing World Champion, you can and you must believe it is possible. It may not be instant and it will require hard work and sacrifice but without belief possible is not probable. “You fail because you don’t believe.” - Yoda.
C IS FOR COMMITMENT. I WILL. Without being clear about your priorities it is hard to commit. If you are committed to shooting the cover of Fly Fishers Inc then you will place yourself in situations to achieve this. This will mean not fishing, but instead staying focused on your subjects, having the right anglers and knowing what it is the editor might be looking for. You would have researched great images and worked hard to be in the right place at the right time. Luck had nothing to do with it. “A Jedi must have the deepest commitment� - Yoda.
D IS FOR DISCIPLINE. I DID. “Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.” - Yoda. Perhaps we can now return to the four P’s…
PHOTO BY ANDREAS RASMUSSEN
OPERAT I O N : G .T
PHOTOGRAPHY & TEXT// Jef f Forsee
“A WEEK ON CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST LIKE BEING IN AN EPISODE OF THE TWILIGHT ZONE OR A TROPICAL VERSION OF BILL MURRAYS GROUNDHOG DAY.” I’d never caught a bonefish before I went to Kiribati. Of course I’ve always wanted to and I knew it was about to happen, I was on my way to the world famous Kiritimati Island after all. In the Kiribati language a ti is pronounced as an s so the word “Kiritimati” (a respelling of the English word “Christmas”) has a pronunciation far less exotic than it appears. Kiritimati is one of the most prolific bonefish fisheries on the planet. My first afternoon on the flats quashed any suspicion that the hype around the fishery was at all disproportionate.
I kind of got the idea that this place was the real deal as we began our approach into the world war two era runway in our little prop plane. After hours of flying over the big blue by way of the tropical shores of Fiji we were told to fasten our seatbelts and stow away our tray tables, which I took as my que to start looking out the window to my right. The atoll is the world’s largest and from the plane it was hard to make sense of what was land and what was flats. Kiritimati has a maximum elevation of about 43ft above sea level on an isolated hill in the southern corner of the atoll. If you’re not standing on sand you’re standing on coral when you’re on the ground there. The pancake flats are a sight to behold from the vantage point of an incoming plane. The deep blues of the inner lagoon and the maze of bleach white sand flats that infiltrate it have an almost hypnotizing effect if you stare for too long. I didn’t catch a single bonefish that first afternoon and it certainly wasn’t due to a shortage of fish or opportunities. After driving a distance too far to cover again on foot we happily waved goodbye to our driver and a few moments later I realized that I had left all of my bonefish flies back at the hotel; all of them. By the end of the week I could empty my backpack and find at least a half dozen Crazy Charlies and Christmas Crackers crawling around the inside of the bag but not today, not on day one. It turned out my guide Aaree was fresh out too, I couldn’t help but to laugh. I’m sure he was about as impressed with me as I would have been had the roles been reversed but the sentiments quickly wore off as the laughter continued to flow. It really didn’t matter, for the first time in my life I was standing on a bonefish flat. I had a rod and a reel and a fishing guide with almost as many years guiding experience as I had life experience, it was going to be a good afternoon. Plus, I did have a box of Giant Trevally flies and as it turned out G.T.’s happened to not only be at the top of my list of fish to catch but they also happened to live pretty nearby to where we were standing. We spent that afternoon walking across flats and casting a trimmed down clouser minnow to bonefish who knew better while Aaree schooled me on the finer side of sight fishing in the salt and respectable presentations. I was feeling pretty contented by the end of the day but as the story tends to go, it was then that I saw a fleeting flash behind my fly. My guide and my instinct instructed me to cast again and after a few short strips I came tight to my very first Giant Trevally. Topping the scales at only three or four pounds the fish had some growing to do before it earned the prefix that it was titled with. My guide and my 12 weight were almost brazenly underwhelmed so I tried to play it cool but my ear to ear grin was a dead giveaway.
A week on Christmas is almost like being in an episode of the Twilight Zone or a tropical version of Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day. Most of the atoll is as flat as a table top with the highest features being coconut palms. The sun sets and rises at more or less the same time every day and the temperatures and precipitation are mundanely predictable. Mid-century military infrastructure is still widely utilized on the island and is slowly being reclaimed by groves of beach naupaka. A small shrub that has tightened the undulating roads to only just passable in some places. Allied forces occupied the atoll during the second world war and it became a nuclear testing ground for the US and UK militaries over the subsequent decades. Apathetic frigate birds, boobies and an army of land crabs give the place an almost Galapagos feel. Kiritimati functions on the IIT(International Island Time)Standard so you can forget your watch and your schedules when you’re there. The variety of water and species on the island are enough to keep even the most distracted anglers’ attention. I spent the week casting at a steady flow of happy bonefish on endless flats that gave true meaning to the terminology “Fish Factory.” It wasn’t long before I learned to appreciate the allure of the trigger fish either. Spooky, weird and frustratingly difficult to hook and land. I have a collection of crushed and broken stainless hooks on my tying bench at home from the unforgiving beaks of the Christmas island trigger. A short boat ride through the entrance of the lagoon and you’ll see free jumping yellowfin tuna and schools of milk fish so vast it’s almost unfathomable that you don’t hook one on every cast, it’s just the contrary in fact. I had caught quite a few Giant and Bluefin trevally throughout the week, both on the flats and on the inside edge of the reef. G.T.’s seem to have a reputation of being fierce and reckless predators. Sometimes they live up to that reputation but after a few flighty encounters I found myself reacting with the same caution that I would on a clear South Island trout stream when I came across them.
I had two days left on my trip. I had caught bonefish to my heart’s content and enjoyed a tropical paradise that not a lot of people get to see. I was going home a happy man. However, I did still have some unfinished business. I really wanted to catch a big G.T. Big is a relative term with these fish of course but I wanted a fish that required two hands and a bit of oomph to hold onto. My initial approach was pretty blasé but time was at a premium now and I had no idea when I’d have another shot after stepping foot on that plane in a couple of days. I decided it was time to shape up before I shipped out and I dedicated my last two days to searching for a single fish. Operation G.T. was in full effect. My guides were fully on board with the program and it was great fun poking our way around the island and revisiting the places they had seen big fish in the past. I could imagine the experiences they’ve had in those locations over the years as we passed through them. I love watching a determined and experienced angler work a fishery that they know so intimately, it’s a true testament to the hunter that is rooted within all of us. We came across some pretty big fish on that second to last day but it never quite came together for us.
We went deep into the backcountry of the atoll on my final day. The backcountry is a protected area in which the lodges rotate their fishing days. It’s a similar concept to our beat systems here in New Zealand, which are designed to reduce pressure and give fishermen an undisturbed experience when they are on the water. The final morning was off to a productive start, landing three or four fish in the first couple hours of the day. We encountered aggressive singles and a school of trevally as ravenous as a pack of hyenas. It seemed like the planets were aligning but it was unclear if we were going to get the opportunity that we were hoping for. It wasn’t long after we turned around for lunch that my guide Ioran spotted a big fish staunchly cruising the edge, like a warden patrolling the yard in a prison and every bit as intimidating. He was heading directly towards a coral point that wasn’t too far behind us. I hustled down to the point and laid out a cast to intercept the Trevally’s path. I couldn’t see anything from my new location because of the glare but Ioran said the cast was bang on and this wasn’t his first rodeo. The plan was to wait for the fish to come to the fly and we were in the ideal situation for that to play out. After a painfully long wait and just as I was able to make out the fish through the glare, Ioran gave the go ahead. I made my first strip and the GT closed the gap between himself and my fly quicker than I could blink. The fish followed through my fly like a linebacker making a game saving tackle. I couldn’t keep up with the follow through so I quickly started moving backwards. For a brief second I wondered if maybe I had missed him. That theory was quickly laid to rest as I frantically cleared my line from catching on anything as the trevally made his dash for the lagoon. This was it, this was exactly the fish I came here for and he was currently in the process of ripping backing off of my reel at an increasingly discomforting rate. I followed him out to the drop off to keep my line clear of any edges and nervously watched as my reel keep spinning. I was eventually able to coerce him back to almost the same place he made his little slip up and Ioran was able to get a firm grip on the narrow wrist of his pitchfork tail. We knew that this was mission complete. There was a mutual respect for the fish and the effort that went into catching him from both of us. Any other week on Kiritimati, that could have happened on day one and again on day two but I almost prefer this outcome. There is nothing sweeter than a finish line victory that seemed more tangible two months before the moment than it did two hours before it.
S U RVI V ING WI NTER T E X T / / M a t t Tr i p e t P H O T O G R A P H Y / / M a t t Tr i p e t & B r a d S i s s o n s
“ THE STORIES TOLD THROUGH THEIR COLOURS AND SPOTS ARE SOMEHOW DIFFERENT TO THOSE CAUGHT ON THE EASY DAYS.” The Snowy Mountains were immortalised in the late 1800’s with the poem ‘Man From Snowy River,’ written by Australian icon Banjo Patterson. Still today, the high-country continues to call people to experience that same blend of solitude and adventure those before us pioneered, including the fly fisherman. The waterways that flow through the Snowy’s originate in and around Australia’s highest peaks, draining throughout the south-eastern facing slopes of the alpine region, which naturally promote healthy flows all year-round with the abundant snow melt and the odd winterlike weather patterns getting caught up in the mountains during the open season. It’s during this period the guide, Fly Program facilitator and angler in me would describe this period as the ‘wild season.’ Long days, big miles under foot and hours of concentration watching loops and drifts in harsh reflections of sunlight. But don’t get me wrong… I live for everything this season provides and the many people I share it with.
But it’s when the leaves fall, the days get shorter and the guides start freezing over that your reminded the season ends soon and some normality will come back to your life. It’s at this time when the miles and miles of streams and rivers come to a close, I rack most of the trout sticks along with the waders and swapped them over for a set of skis. It’s always been that really important downtime for me. It is time to freshen the mind, enjoy the family and rest up the ‘hosting’ profile I carry in the open season. However, last winter I made a commitment to spend more time in the forthcoming winter (just passed) to actively hunt the large winter lake trout that can be found in our incredible dams and alpine lakes and share a story of my struggle, enjoyment and survival of the winter. The Snowy Mountains comprises of sixteen hydro dams built during the Snowy Hydro Scheme commencing in the late 1940’s, with the Eucumbene and Jindabyne systems are grander in size than Sydney Harbour. These huge systems collectively add to the existing natural lakes and tarns that can also be found in some of the higher alpine regions, many of which will freeze over during the winter spell. My objective over winter was to fish in all conditions, within safety and reason. The likes of the Jindabyne and Eucumbene systems have been well documented in all forms of media as exceptional winter fisheries, particularly working edges for cruising browns. Satisfied that this story has been told on many occasions, I felt a strong draw toward some of our remote bodies of water that are far less pursued in these harder months of ice, snow and winter prevailing winds. But the one question would stand, can the challenging conditions be met by the dimensions of a once-in-a-season fish to make the preparation and effort in the journey meaningful? Thankfully, my mind has never worked in that way. The dimension of the challenges wild places and the lessons they would present me would always been my calling.
The high country has a romantic aura about it. It’s a place that calls to some people, without ever satisfying the growing passion one discovers in this place. The connection with nature in this wild place is just on another level. Everything in this place survives with a sense of depth of wild existence and purpose, not by accident and chance. If it did, it would simply die. Add elements of snow, wind and ice to this landscape we can discover another platform to discover this unsettled world transformed by the elements. I have no doubt this the very reason I find myself in these places and why the idea exploring them in the months of adversity excites me. Wondering these alpine lakes certainly tested my resolve on a number of occasions, particularly on the days when conditions were against you. You would find a new meaning of cold and despair. Days on days would see me challenge why I found myself walking these untrodden paths for the reasons only a fly-fisherman would relate to, that story of a fish that would be recounted for a lifetime. But there would also be moments like stopping to watch the windswept fog roll through the Snow Gums on a sub-zero morning, or that afternoon sunset and warm fire seeking to thaw out a frozen body after a day without seeing a fish would provide realisation that the very simplest of life’s gifts could be the most precious to me in these testing times. Moments created through adversity would become the making of the greatest moments I had in the season. With time and effort, I would enjoy the success the hard work bringing to hand a number of memorable fish. But memorable not for their dimensions or fighting stories, but for the context they played in a picture painted by long days in strong winds, fidget weather and days where I zeroed out. These experiences of joy seemed to take me off-guard at times, staring at what would be a standard fish in a day’s outing on a warm afternoon hatch. There was never that void feeling of disappointment holding a small yielding in my hand prior to its release. There was only admiration and respect for the life places these fish live. The stories told through their colours and spots are somehow different to those caught on the easy days. Looking back at the season it is easy to say, it wasn’t defined by my first expectations. The stories measured by pounds and inches documented by ‘grip-and-grin’ photos. It would be a season to push me further where footsteps found in the snow are yours only, leaving a path of warmth, safety and comfort found back at the 4X4. It would be a season defined by existing in difficult climatic conditions that express the depth of cold and hunger one can only experience who explores these places in the depth of winter.
Summed by the many hours wondering alone in the cold and frozen mountain landscapes would remind me to take to heart the greatest gift fly fishing so freely gives us. The opportunity to be connected with real, tangible experiences found in wild places. These are the intrinsic and underlying reasons we are called to pursue the next bend of the river and over the next hill to another lake. It is the ‘unknowns’ that nature so powerfully presents to us as anglers that is the underpinning of this amazing pursuit we can dedicate a lifetime to. ‘Surviving the Snowy Mountains in Winter ’ story won’t be defined by the dimensions of an experience that we can measure on a set of scales. It will be a story defined by exploring waterways that exist in wild and adverse landscapes where trout thrive. It is a story to remind us all that we should seek to explore these places and being an active part of them. There is no doubt, these set of experiences would become my most treasured fishing memories for 2018 and be the reason why my mind wonders, as my head lays rest on my pillow each night.
B OOK N OW AT — www.flyprogram.org.au · inf
GUIDING & LODGING PACKAGES —
T H R E D B O VA LL E Y L A K E C R A C K E N B A C K R E S O R T & S PA
The Fly Program Guiding & Lodging Packages raise valuable funds helping us to serve more men in our community. Founder Matt Tripet is a IFFF CCI and experienced guide in the Thredbo Valley, NSW Snowy Mountains.
fo@flyprogram.org.au · Matt Tripet: 0407 960 216
2 0 1 7/2 018 SEAS ON
PHOTOGRAPHY & TEXT// Mike Kirkpatrick
“WE STRUCK A FEW ‘PATCHES’ OF BROWNS OVER THIS LATE SEASON PERIOD THAT WERE SIMPLY WONDERFUL IN CONDITION.” I found myself thinking that this climate change thing is something l can live with, if the conditions throughout spring in the top of the South were anything to go by. Air temperatures well up and water levels well down on average from October and right through to mid-January. The fishing over this period was exceptional, with virtually no blank days, and the local browns equally happy to take a well presented nymph or dry. The bigger trophy sized fish were more scarce, but this was more than made up for by the superb average condition of landed fish in the 5 to 8-9lb range. By mid/late January however, things had changed with nasty cold fronts and long periods of bleak weather making fishing a little less pleasant, and of more importance, putting the fish down deeper. The browns were also less active with the barometer all over the place and they seemed lethargic for long periods. To overcome this we made smart location choices and fished where we knew they would be, allowing also for when they would feed. This was often a shorter window, so we made sure we got the presentations right to maximise our chances. My end of season stats showed we did pretty well over this tougher period, certainly better than it felt at the time! This ‘funk period’ lasted from mid-January to mid-March where things slowly improved through to April.
April can be a little hit and miss, with fish moving to pre-spawning grounds, so locating them is most of the battle. We struck a few ‘patches’ of browns over this late season period that were simply wonderful in condition. The feeding switched back to ‘normal’ and many up on the dry made for memorable fishing to close the season out. In summary, the colour and condition of the fish overall made for a good season although, as a Guide, I was pulling my hair out at times. The lesson here I guess is, roll with the punches and use logic to find the fish. Once they are found, the feeding window can be short so leave them until they show obvious signs of eating before making that first, and most important cast. Roll on the new season!
SO UTH NORTH PHOTOGRAPHY & TEXT// Andrew Harding
“ THERE ARE NO GUIDES HERE, NO SAND-FLIES AND NO MERCY FOR THE UNPREPARED.” To be fair, the lower North Island is better known for its rubbish weather and being the seat of government than for its trout fishing, but the South North can offer a fly fishing experience that rivals the famed South Island waterways, and at times, can even better them! Sound too good to be true? Well it kinda is. There are no strolls along flat, beech-lined valleys bathed in wind-still sunlight here, rather the South North headwater fisheries offer up seemingly impassable rock-walled gorges that channel gale force winds with such reckless abandon, even a Scott Meridian feels like casting a chopstick. Couple this to the fact you can’t fish anywhere without going up, for several hours usually, it’s hilly and a “knee-buster” on a grand scale. Our “mouse years” are limited to a single spell within a 20 year slot! We don’t have the hump headed Lewis Pass leviathans in any great numbers, but make up for it with a headwaters average, running 5-6lbs and some of the hottest cicada action in the country due to the localised scrubby vegetation. A fish under 4lbs is rare here, and an increasing number of double figure browns are showing year on year for those prepared to put in the hours of uphill slog in so-often freezing cold conditions.
The cragged in headwater valleys, shrouded in drizzle for two thirds of the year turn the tourist anglers away, the weather is a natural barrier to angling and chopper pressure. The spotting is hard in the permanently-shadowed, slab-walled ravines but a rare fine day, more often than not, providing the downfall of the tricky pool cruisers over a careful presentation. Are these fish fussy? No, not really. There are no guides here, no sand-flies and no mercy for the unprepared. A PLB is always on my hip. It’s certainly a happy place for a few hardy Wellington anglers however. Local fishing clubs even bypass these waters, instead heading for the harrowed greener pastures and easy walking of Hawkes Bay, Manawatu and Taupo. Once these mountainous watercourses leave their, rock walled environs, they flow to the sea in a more sedate fashion over rolling pasture and heavily modified farmland. The fine shingle plains of the Wairarapa region reducing flows to a mere trickle in summer, most anglers, oblivious to the cold, sustained flows in “them thar hills” that dissipate and flow underground where thousands of motorists pass over the state highway bridges every day. The Wairarapa region is a vast fly fishing wonderland comprising spring creeks, huge windswept lakes, verdant farm drains, crystal freestone streams and sprawling braided gems. Here you will find slightly more pressure, some seasons you will bump into at least two to three anglers…
Arguably the Wairarapa region is one of the last, untapped and unexplored fly fishing bastions in the country, she is begging for exploration, me? I haven’t even scratched the surface after living here for over 30 years. Free rising butter coloured browns await a carefully presented dry. Casting from a drifting boat on any number of Lake Wairarapa farm drainage channels will ensure swift success come the arrival of the clouds of whitebait during September through December. This in fact has become one of my favoured forms of local fishing. The trout are numerous and fight with a dogged determination. Casting a Manic Grey Ghost at the cruising browns, perch and kahawai, even carp is simply a sensational experience more reminiscent of northern Queensland run-off fishing at times. You could also be forgiven thinking you were a world away on a remote West Coast South Island estuary, but you are not, you are in a place seldom mentioned and even less fished, all within a stone’s throw of the capital city. There are no trout themed cafes, no Fish & Game access signage here, larger than life trout sculptures on a small town square and no well-trodden angler ’s tracks. It’s New Zealand fly fishing at its raw finest. It’s simply home.
EARLY SEAS O N PHOTOGRAPHY & TEXT// Chris Dore
“ THESE ARE WILD CREATURES THAT REACT ON INSTINCT. IF SOMETHINGS NOT RIGHT, THEY’RE GONE.” Early season I’m straight to the small streams with my 8’8” 4wt Scott G Series. Getting close and personal on smaller, early season waters is a highlight of my season. At the other end of the scale, our larger, main stem river systems fish well too with great fish out in the open, given cover by the fuller flows. These can fish well for those who understand how to approach them but you’ll often battle the elements head on, walk some miles and throw bigger gear than the aforementioned smaller waters. I love to use heavier flies to get into the zone quick. I don’t want to spend half my drift waiting to get down. Double tungsten, deep soft weight, longer leaders and stacked mends to remove the tension from my nymphs, allowing them to get deeper, quicker. I’m a fan of rubber legs, CDC collars and subtle bling early season. Water temps are still cool post winter, fish are less active, and sometimes these fish need that little more enticing to hit your fly.
Don’t think because they haven’t been fished to for five months that they will be more tolerant of your presence. These are wild creatures that react on instinct. If somethings not right, they’re gone. They don’t care if you haven’t had time to brush the dust off your casting, or if those knees don’t let you crouch out of sight. Move slow, use available cover and make that first cast count. Finally, make sure you spend the most time in the best of the water. Early season fish have the luxury of more water and more habitat. There will often be a lot of ‘empty water ’ and fish won’t always be out and obvious, so identify the most likely spots in the stretch before you, fish them slow, and fish them well. Good luck out there!
P R I M A L RAW REVIEWED BY// James Norney
On first impression I could see how nicely this rod was finished with a nice cork and small double wells grip. I lined it up and thought to myself this would be that perfect evening rise rod that can precisely make a cast and delicately put the fly anywhere. However, it’s early season here in Australia so the warmer weather is yet to hit us so to the hills and small creeks I went to test this beast out. Much to my amazement and even though it was a 4wt, the Primal Raw handled a couple of heavy nymphs like a pro. The recovery of this rod is second to none, allowing for extremely accurate casts into those tight spots with ease and without feeling you are pushing the rod its limits. I was extremely impressed with the lightness and delicateness that this rod brought to the river, especially given the nice price tag. Other brands in the same price bracket will struggle to match the value for money you get from the Primal. I look forward to having it in my arsenal and giving it a serious test throughout the season and the years to come.
SIMMS G3 REVIEWED BY// Tim Angeli
For as long as I can remember, the Simms G3 range of wading gear has consistently set the standard for quality, comfort, and durability. I lusted after G3 waders when I first got serious about fly fishing, and I’ve never looked back after getting my first pair a few years later. That first pair of G3’s proved to be one of the most reliable, bombproof pieces of gear I’ve ever purchased, so it consistently impresses me how Simms seems to continually improve on something that I originally viewed as perfection. I admittedly have no idea what “G3” stands for, but I can wholeheartedly vouch for the fact that the G3 range of Simms gear has a long-standing tradition of being synonymous with quality, and the newest incarnations of G3 Waders, Boots, and Vest are no different. This is genuinely great gear across the entire range, and all of these products are built with the quality, comfort, and performance that has come to be expected from this workhorse Simms range. I was blown away with my first pair of Simms G3 waders that I bought about 10 years ago, and I continue to be impressed with each subsequent reiteration in this range.
G3 GUIDE WADER The first thing that comes to mind about these newly re-designed G3 waders is comfort. They are incredibly lightweight, which not only makes them comfortable for all-day wear, but also makes them easy to pack, whether it be for a weekend adventure on your favourite local river or a week-long international excursion. They are also loaded with features with durability in mind – namely a thicker, more-durable construction through the seat and legs, improved abrasion-resistance on the gravel guards, and the Simms patented front and back facing seam design that limits inner-leg wear. Although my current pair are not yet old enough to truly grade their durability, they are approaching almost a full year of hard use and still look nearly brand new, so I have little doubt that they will see me through many more fishing adventures to come. Comfort and quality – the new G3 Waders are the real deal.
G3 GUIDE BOOTS I’ve seen more fishing trips derailed by blown-out or ill-fitting boots than any other complication. Comfortable, durable boots are worth their weight in gold, and personally, I think boots are one of the most underrated pieces of gear in a fisherman’s wardrobe. Rugged, comfortable, and supportive – the G3 boots have everything you want for tackling the rigorous New Zealand terrain. Gone are the slippery hard-rubber soles of the early-years of the felt ban, and instead it seems like every new pair of Simms wading boots that I get are ‘grippier ’ than the last. These boots are packed with high-tech materials and design features, but most importantly they provide solid foot / ankle support and are built to last – two keys to keeping safe in the backcountry.
G3 GUIDE VEST This vest is a classic case of the age-old expression, ‘if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.’ This vest is based on a time-proven design that has remained similar for a decade or more because it is down-right functional. The classic design has been boosted with updated, modern materials and technology to provide the ultimate on-water accessibility to flies, tippet, and gear. Like the entire G3 range, comfort is key. The lightweight, breathable contruction and well-designed layout make this by far the most comfortable vest I’ve ever worn. Quite simply, this vest is packed with features from top to bottom.
W WL COBA LT
REVIEWED BY// Lucas Allen
The Waterworks Lamson Cobalt has already stamped its place firmly in the salt water fly scene, while still in its infancy it has a certain class that will ensure it’s a timeless piece for years to come. For such an unforgiving salt water environment fly reels have to be built tough. The guys at Waterworks Lamson took this challenge and totally remodelled things from the ground up. Drags for the salt need to be robust yet buttery smooth, this is delivered in half pound click increments through the entire drag range. Being able to pre-set the drag start up pressure gives you total control over your preferred set up and having numbered quick references is a simple yet very handy guide tool. Oh, and it’s waterproof to 30m so you can go all Jacques Cousteau and take it for a good long salty soak. Engineering wise the Cobalt is exceptionally slick in looks, but let’s face it looks ain’t shit if they don’t perform a task. By doing away with the counterweight and incorporating it into the porting makes for a very mesmerizing spool as it spins through its work. Dual axis machining ensure the load bearing side maintains the utmost strength where needed. Lastly by embedding the reel foot weight is better distributed and force is transmitted more effectively. Fished extensively this season on our NZ flats kingfish the Cobalt delivered time and time again. The ABEC 5 ceramic ball bearings never showing a sign of wear and the updated conical drag system pumping out 12+ pounds of drag torque, more than enough to slow a fish down and bring the odds firmly in your corner. Finished in the Waterworks Lamson Micralox anodising process it will stay pretty for years to come.
SCOT T F SE R I E S REVIEWED BY// Gus Lapin
I’m sure you’ve all heard it before. The old (new?) saying, Glass is not dead. In my mind, fibre glass fly rods have always had a place in a quiver. Over the last few years I’ve been lucky enough to play with an endless array of fly rods. Old, new, cheap, dear, glass, graphite and bamboo. I’ll be honest with you, I’ve enjoyed each and every one of them for their differences, their similarities and above all, the fun I’ve had with them. The new Scott F-Series is absolutely no exception. It is a pure, fun fishing tool ultimately designed for those seeking tight waters with small to medium size fish. That’s not to say it won’t handle a nice 4lb New Zealand backcountry bruiser, you just might see the cork begin to bend. Fibre glass as a material is still so important in modern day fly rod building. It allows us to get maximum fun out of our small stream fishing situations. Is glass the material to chase 10lb trout on? Probably not. Is it the material to take up to Cape York, Hinchinbrook, Tauranga or out to Exmouth. Again probably not. Don’t get me wrong, it’s possible and rather challenging, but the likely outcome will be a few fish floating belly up.
Scott have been at the forefront of fibre glass fly rod building and in every new release, it’s clear that they are committed to continue improving these rods. The new F-Series bends deeper into the blank than the previous F2 but the recovery on this thing is what has blown me away. It’s almost hard to believe a glass rod like this can recover so quickly with absolute minimal tip bounce. What this does is provides more stable tracking and allows you to land your fly efficiently and accurately on a dime. All things necessary for small stream fishing. The F-Series is built with Scott’s proprietary E glass and the same super high-tech prepreg resin used on their Radian and Meridian, allowing for the lightest glass rod possible. It’s a beautiful looking rod and has made its way comfortably into my quiver while I live over here in Victoria. The Scott F-Series is a delight to fish and is the right tool for those looking to get the most out of their small, tight stream fishing, it also looks sweet hanging on my wall…
SI MMS RIVER CA M O REVIEWED BY// Kiyoshi Nakagawa
As a competition angler, I always looked for small ways I could get an extra advantage over other anglers – now, as pressure on our rivers and lakes increases, searching for these advantages is more important than ever. Over the past few months, I’ve been trialling the new River Camo collection from Simms. Unlike all other camouflage patterns that are designed for the terrestrial view of a deer or other animal looking across the bush, the River Camo is designed to conceal an angler from a trout looking from the water into the horizon. Developed by United States camo experts Veil, for fishing apparel experts Simms, the River Camo pattern is a scientifically engineered concealment pattern designed to work optimally around freshwater environments. The use of large and small breakup disrupts the human outline and blends you into your surroundings. Visually, for me, the blotching pattern mimics how light is bounced through trees and foliage, and we found it an extremely effective pattern in all types of New Zealand terrain.
On the water, I’ve found the camouflage to be excellent. I often fish using modern Czech nymphing techniques that require me to get close to the fish, and there is no doubt the River Camo products have helped me to get closer to fish, especially in clear water. Although my trial period has been during winter months on small streams, I see the River Camo collection being a big advantage on clear backcountry rivers over summer. In many cases, on our highpressure backcountry fisheries, River Camo may be the difference between success and failure. The River Camo colourway is available in Simms’ award-winning GoreTex G3 breathable waders, Rogue Fleece hoodie, Intruder Bicomp and Solarflex shirts, plus a range of headwear. They give you enough options to cover you from head to toe, whilst also protecting you from the elements with UPF 30 and 50 solar protection. To check out the full collection of Simms River Camo products head into your local Simms dealer and prepare to literally disappear up a river this season.
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SIMMS KATAFRONT HOODIE Like a soft shell crab the Katafront soft shells are delicious. Well, you’ll be looking pretty damn sharp wearing one and these things are super charged with loads of “catch more fish” features that will make you more effective on the water like, the hydrophobic cuffs, 3 piece storm hood, thermolaminated chest pocket and zippered hand warmer pockets.
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AIRFLO TRACKER FLY LINE New from Airflo is the Tracker taper, which features a forward bump on the belly which engages early in the cast for a quick load and on longer casts maintains turn over when other lines run out of puff. Great for handling long leaders and multiple fly rigs. The Tracker comes in a tidy heron blue colour which is highly visible on the water yet disappears into the skyline. Weights 5 to 8, it’s our new favourite.
PRIMAL FLY RODS We took some pretty sweet Korean prepregs with nano resin, wrapped a 45 degree helical into the rods core. Overlaid it with a high modulus unidirectional carbon outer and give or take a bunch of prototypes, changed minds and compulsory on the river time and hey presto we got the new Primal fly rod series. The series has two ranges, a super fast, yet light and tasty freshwater series called RAW and then the down and dirty, stop a kingfish from smoking you MEGA saltwater series. These sticks are built to impress and all for under five hundred bucks.
SCOTT F SERIES FLY ROD
When it comes to the Scott fly rod line up glass was never dead. We wouldn’t make weight because quite simply our carbon rods are better. What glass is best for is for targ technical small creeks. These rods flex at short range, deliver delicate and accurate cas tippets like no carbon rod ever could.
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MANIC JIG FLIES When it comes to fly design we like to think outside of the box. One great way to change a pattern is to literally flip it upside down, so we thought we’d tie a bunch of our favourites on jig hooks so they can bounce on their backs down the river, snag free and totally in the zone.
e you a saltwater 8 geting small trout in sts and protect light
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SIMMS RIVER CAMO RANGE If you’re into shortline nymphing or fish rivers so clear the trout get spooked when you adjust your right nut then to be successful you’ll need all the help you can get. Don’t stress as the crew at Simms have teamed up with the good peeps at Veil camo to help you disappear when you’re on the water. The new River Camo pattern is designed to work from the fish’s perspective, dealing with how light reflects through the water. This mathematically created pattern does more than just break up your outline, it confuses the fish’s vision so it can’t see you or your movement allowing you to get closer and to make that fatal cast.
SIMMS SUN ARMOUR SHIRT These things are cooler than snoop, in fact the cool core technology once activated with sweat or water will drop the surface temp by 30 degrees. That’s enough to keep your brain working and in fish hunting mode. What’s more the Sun Armour shirt is UPF 50+ to prevent you from getting burnt and the tapered sleeves, contoured hood and built in gaiter cover every inch of you, well as long as you’ve got pants on…and you should always add pants.
NEW TO THE LAMSON FAMILY Waterworks-Lamson are the world’s largest manufacturer or premium fly reels for a simple reason, they make the best reels and they keep getting better. This year the lads at Lamson have popped out some killer new reels, for the ultra large arbour fans the Force and Speedster reels both have new limited edition colourways. The Speedster now comes in a matt grey with orange accents look pretty damn sweet on a Primal RAW FYI, and the Force comes in a rad orange and gunsmoke colour which we’re thinking may be the Radians new best friend. Also new on board is the highly anticipated Cobalt reels in size 6 and 8 weights. The 8 is the killer bonefish reel and the 6 will tackle anything from light saltwater to big badass trout.
SIMMS CAP RANGE Wear them your way, a cap is a great way to express yourself if you are an old dude, young punk, hipster or just some dude wanting to wear a hat on your head.
TROUTHUNTER EVO NYLON Normal nylon tippets start to sink after a couple of hours, dragging your flies under and creating micro drag. The new EVO tippet will float for over 2 weeks, that’s a long fishing session but you get the point right, this is the best material for fishing tiny dries and emergers in the surface film. It has incredible strength to diameter ratio and its advanced molecular structure make its knot strength second to none. Techy fish? Use EVO.
LOON BLACK DROPS TIN WEIGHTS Our earth friendly buddies at Loon just rethought the split shot. They ditched the lead and made theirs from non toxic tin. So it’s good for you because we know you crush them in your teeth and even more important is that they’re good for the environment.
FLY LAB GLIDE REEL The new Fly Lab Glide reels are made from machine cut aircraft aluminium. The reels are anodised in three funky colours, the 5/6 comes in a stealthy olive, the 7/8 is a bold burnt orange and the 9/10 is great saltwater blue. At the core of the Glide is an oversized disc drag stacks of stopping power and silky smooth operation from the ceramic one way bearing coupled with precision machining.
SIMMS CHALLENGER KIT If you’re looking to stay dry on the boat whilst still having the ability to fish like a weapon then the challenger jacket and bib are the choice for you. The Toray is both waterproof and highly breathable meaning you’ll stay comfortable no matter what the weather is.
FC ALUMINIUM BOATS ARE BUIL WITH MAXIMUM
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Cnr Rosedale Road & Triton Drive, ALBANY 09 476 4282 Ext 3
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265 Kahikatea Drive, HAMILTON 07 846 6675 Ext 3
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FLY SWAT
BY// Andrew Burden
ANDREW BURDEN AKA A.B AKA THE MAYOR OF TURANGI AKA THE SPORTING LIFE UPDATE GUY GIVES US HIS TOP PICKS FOR FLIES TO USE IN HIS BACKYARD. As we transition to lower river levels, more exposed fish and more technical fishing than happens thought the heights of the glo bugged winter runs on the Central Plateau I lean towards lighter setups and natural fly patterns where appropriate from the Manic Tackle Project line-up. She’s not all done on the glo bug yet though so always have some tucked away just in case.
During this transition period you are still going to pick up fish on your glo bugs. This year for me it’s been the #14 Ultimate Egg in Tangerine.
The Jig Hares Ear is a fly I utilise year round. I do a lot of euro style nymphing and often these flies are thought of by our clients as czech nymph specific but she has been just as effective for me firing out the indicator rig as well as working the short range pockets.
Korbay’s Czech Nymph Caddis Olive. It was easy choosing a natural pattern I use as I had just spoken to Pete Carty in the shop the day before about filling my fly box with green caddis. This is how I like my caddis flies to look and a fly I’m confident with.
The Belinda’s Bitchslap range. Another easy choice for me as I have landed beautiful fish in the rivers, on lake edges and in deep lake holes with a Bitchslap.
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