Monthly Highlights

Below are photos and a story from the recent month's guided fly fishing trips in New Zealand's Central South Island.

January 2018

This is what tourist anglers come for !!!

Daniel and Claude were my guests from France for the early part of January.

After a long period of balmy hot and settled weather the first outing was conducted in the pouring rain! It's been a long time since it rained for a solid 8 hours non-stop!

Luckily we had plenty of days before us so we were always going to get some decent weather later.

Having anglers for an extended period allows for a lot of variety which is always a bonus. Other considerations for the day's chosen location include weather conditions and the likelihood of other anglers. In this day and age you need a back-up plan or two!

On one occasion Daniel unfortunately managed to stick himself in the nose with his fly courtesy of a strong nor'west wind. A short "surgical" manoeuvre removed the offending item which then proceeded to deceive the intended quarry! A timely reminder that it is essential to wear sun glasses whenever fly fishing. There is always the risk of a mis-timed cast sending a fly into your face as happened to poor Daniel.

Claude is a newcomer to the sport and, although conditions were not always ideal for a beginner, (far from it on some occasions) to his credit he perservered and by the end of his stay with me was really making headway with his casting and landed some nice trout. Bon courage les gars!"

[click photo to enlarge]


The fly strikes ...		but Daniel has the last laugh!

A fine Ahuriri trout for Daniel.		Another fine brownie.

Big fish for Daniel.		Claude is happy with this trout.

Claude with a nice brown trout with happy guide looking on.		Claude with his first NZ brown trout.

Daniel looking happy with his catch!		Daniel with a back country beauty.

Lots of spots on this brown trout.		That's how you do it! Daniel on the Waitaki.

Nice release and trout on way home.