Well the highland rivers are opening tomorrow and from a few scouting missions I’ve done my local rivers are looking good.

Last year we had some great success early season with the fish being well rested and keen to take a fly.

This was 1st Nov 08,this guy could of had a little more weight on but not a bad way to start off.

With water and fish like this it’s amazing there aren’t more people out there at the start,but I guess this is back country fishing.

Another 1st Nov 08 bow.

Fish like this are a real handfull and great fun on the line.

Booking a trip this time of year we have a great chance of catching many fish like this and for the experienced angler I’ve seen fish around the 10lb mark so don’t wait book on now and get back country before these fish have had pressure.

Same day different fishand and what a buity,many of the trout in this river have these same characteristics,I think that’s why I love it so much.

What a river.

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You can’t beat this time of year for fishing so make the most of it and stay tunned for my opening day report.

Heavy nets

Gordy

Southland is an amazing province and an extremely good fishery.

Todd Williams and I just spent 3 days fishing a back country river down that way spending 2 nights in a back country hut and fishing hard.

The challenges faced by overseas fishermen arriving on our waters is adapting to our style of fishing.

We fish long leaders(18ft), stalk and fish to sighted fish, and we have to be very accurate.

At first this was a challenge to Todd, but with some coaching and guidance he was soon onto it and amongst the fish.

After traveling to our destination I spent the rest of the day teaching Todd the necessary techniques and getting his eye in.

The next day dawned and we were up early and on the water. Todd told me he was up for the challenge and into a big day and that it was, 13 hours of hot fishing with only a  few small stops to cram some food in and then back into it.

It had been Todd’s dream to come to New Zealand and fish and he was here to make the most of it.

Really we couldn’t have squeezed any more fishing in, the hours in the day simply would not allow it and we slept well each night with full belly’s.

We hooked and landed plenty of fish and I must say Todd was a quick learner with some good fishing skills.

Todd with his first NZ trout. These fish live in crystal clear water full of oxygen and once hooked, provide a challenge for any angler to land.

Another healthy 5lb Brownie.

A nice back country bow.

With the high country rivers about to open we are expecting to get into a few of these soon.

I can hardly wait.

Well, with the southern rivers being open since the start of the month and the highland rivers about to open on the first Nov, we are starting to get into the fishing.

As far as river conditions go things are looking quite Autumnish, mid to low flows of crystal clear water. We have just received a nice wee fresh and it’s looking like Wednesday we may  get a little more. My prediction is for good fishing Thursday,  and Friday looks like it may be one out of the bag with a big high pressure coming on – Air pressure rising, rivers on the drop, now that’s a good mix.

Here’s a few snaps of some of our local water about to open start of the month…and a few fish shots thrown in for good measure.

Some Dream Water

Myself and Henare Dewes from Dream Waters spent two days on this back country river at the start of last season, magic.

Fishing places like this is amazing and becomes more about the whole experience than just the fishing. But we all know it’s great to catch fish too.

It’s one thing hooking these fish, it’s a whole other story getting them on the bank.

A stop over on the way back from one of our Southwestland experiences.

Three generations of Watson. My dad Dick, my son Dart and me. Man was I glad they were there to see this go down.

Well I’m off down south for three day’s, Ill let you know how we get on.

Heavy nets

Gordy

Well it’s been great to get out with some clients,my Dad and also some lone fishing.

Had a cracking day yesterday, 5 min from home,hooked a dozen fish and landed most of them.Flat battery on the camera,hate it when that happens.

Here’s a few shot’s from fishing lately.

A nice Brownie from down south.

Mike from Australia with a nice river mouth fish.

My Dad and Sir Ed with a beautiful wee Brownie.

It seams like the start of season burst is behind us now and we are seeing less fishermen on the water but plenty of fish.

A very well conditioned Brownie.

How many times does this happen,a couple of more casts then home and…….

Well it’s been a good start to the season, with fish in pretty good nick and on the feed.
Not too many clients around but I am looking forward to a three day camp out with Todd Willams from the U.S. on some of our southern back country rivers next week.

The rivers are getting a bit of a fresh at the moment and the weather looks like it’s going to keep them topped up into the weekend so here’s hoping we get them on a bit of a drop and hook into a few more of these puppies.

Another southern Brownie

Dave Pech with his first fish on the fly, we were in the sun and the snow and Dave made the most of it. Continue reading →