Monthly Highlights
Below are photos and a story from the recent month's guided fly fishing trips in New Zealand's Central South Island.
February 2025
Its been a mainly settled month weather-wise which is fortunate since you need sunshine to be successful around here at this time of year thanks to low flows and selective fish. Obviously sunny conditions are helpful but you also need the correct presentation with the right fly!
One could argue that this is true of all trout fishing but it's especially pertinent when the fish you are trying to catch are educated and not that active! I use the more drab versions of my SBN nymphs and small, really small, emergers. Anything large or too 'blinggy' will be refused or, worse still, send the trout scurrying for cover!
One memorable catch was a trout almost completely hidden under an undercut bank. I was very lucky not to have spooked it - I literally had my foot on his head (well 2 feet below me to be accurate!). It was impossible for Andrew to see the fish so he was totally reliant on my instructions.
Some good guidance and a great cast saw the brownie poke his head out to intercept an SBN model 50 in size #16. That trout was close to 8lb....
Anthony dug this beauty out of hiding with a great cast
The month featured anglers from Norway, US and of course France where the bulk of my clients originate from. It was nice to welcome Rune back after a long absence due to covid border restrictions. Always cheerful and easy going I sometimes forget that English is not his first language!
From a guiding perspective it's always great to have return clients and has practical advantages such as knowing what they like for lunch! No-one has ever gone hungry over one of Marie's fabulous lunches which include home made sourdough bread and either a healthy fresh salad or perhaps an equally succulent homemade quiche!
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Andrew needed an accurate cast to catch this lovely brown trout Giving us the eye! Not many spots on this brownie but handsome nevertheless! One very happy angler Rune - the most 'kiwi'of Norwegians! A photo like this is forever!
