Paul Arden is a world class fly-caster, owns the Sexy Loops web-site (a must visit fly fishing & fly casting site), spends 6 months every year for the last 15 years, fishing in NZ, is an English chappie, but we’ll not hold that against him.
He recently penned an article on fishing New Zealand South Island’s back country, and he makes some good points.
“I hardly ever fish the same stretch of backcountry water twice in the same season. I can’t see the point when there is so much water available. Better to move on in my opinion and always try somewhere new and I always fish new water each and every year. Predominantly for this reason, everywhere I fish in NZ is either Mystery River X or Mystery Lake X…”
“You’re on strike, muddy up as you travel and be ready for the quick shot. I have caught countless fish unhooking the flies and tossing them in front of trout. Being able to go from spotting to fly-in-front of nose is what it’s really about. You don’t want to come all the way to NZ, buy a car, walk 15 miles, quit your job, can your girlfriend, bust your balls and then f**k up the biggest fish of your life. Learn to cast before you get here. Learn to cast into the wind, learn to cast three flies, learn to cast in close, learn to cast so well that casting is NEVER the problem. Then you’re in the game.”
This is an excellent read, dispels one or two myths, and strongly makes the point that back country fishing for big fish is not easy and you should be fit. Read it here. (Language in this article is a bit ‘salty’.)
Spotting fish in New Zealand’s back country
In the article above Paul includes a link to an article by one of New Zealand’s more colourful guides, Deano. Colourful is one word, crazy is another.
Deano gives a good insight to spotting fish in clear water, how to approach likely water, and what to look for. It is a very good article and includes a good number of tips and tricks.
“You get to know where a fish will lie… you can read all the books you want… there is benefit in the theory, but days on the water is what is needed. Behind big boulders and in front of them… always a chance for a fish here… so look. White or pale rocks… perhaps the fish see their food easier from these due to colour contrast… whatever it is, the fish like them. In a river with few white or pale rocks they are a great place to start. Tucked in just off the current line… watch for the lazy brown working the current eddy.”
Deano also dispels a few or more myths about New Zealand back country fishing.
Just one little big thing – Deano recommends felt soles on wading boots in the article, these are now banned in New Zealand because of the Didymo problem – no matter how slippery the alternatives are.
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Can’t believe you’d promote this knuckle head. the guys a flake. bums around New Zealand each year with his entourage of gay bum-buddies. Pays no tax, works here illegally taking revenue of NZ tax paying business that employ staff. He’s nothing but a Pariah.
He can cast but couldn’t fish to save himself.
Certainly hope you’re man enough not to edit this Bish
TONY E