Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 191 - Summer 2024 i Trout Fisher

The NZ Federation of Freshwater Anglers, a national trout and salmon fishing advocacy is battling to safeguard the future of the Rakaia River and several other prized waters that are protected by a Water Conservation Order status, akin to national park status on wilderness areas. At NZFFA’s recent annual meeting president Casey Cravens in his annual report said the focus is on the Rakaia River because it will set a precedent of national importance. "The fate of the Rakaia will determine whether any of the 15 Water Conservation Orders on other watersheds still mean anything. This list includes some of our best rivers in both North – the Mohaka, Rangitikei, Manganuioteao, Motu and Lake Wairarapa – and South Islands – the Buller, Kawarau (which includes the Greenstone), Mataura, Motueka, Oreti,…

What makes a barren frost plain in a national park interesting for hikers, adventurers and anglers alike? Perhaps, it’s what lies within these naked valleys is like a treasure hunt waiting to be explored? A land scattered with historic alpine huts built more than a hundred years ago, each with their own history and narrative. Once used for grazing and a working culture, today easily accessible for a day visit, or an overnighter. A place brimming with Australian wildlife, including brumbies and if you’re lucky, a rarely seen wild dog! The Murrumbidgee River begins its journey here, from the base of Peppercorn Hill in the Fiery Range of the Snowy Mountains and winds its way through this vast treeless frost plain. Its headwaters hold a great population of both rainbow…

2024/25 began well for me on the lake. Searching open water for trout rather than the generally much easier task of trying to intercept them at the shoreline, using identical tackle and tactics, by mid-October I had already landed a third of my total catch for last season – my poorest in over 40 years' on this lake. Since then I've had enough 'blank' dawns with fish around me to suggest another challenging season lies ahead, as fish become increasingly aware of angling pressure. There's always an element of chance in stillwater, however, and despitean early 'run' into the shoreline late October smelting is still ahead. That will provide a much clearer picture. The catch to date, a full spectrum from maiden to kelt, seems generally in better condition than…

For a dry fly nut, a cold, wet Taihape Winter can make the fishing feel a long way away. A simple solution to this predicament is to get on a plane and fly to Montana for a month and that is exactly what I did in August 2024. Peter Hayes and a few other Tasmanian friends have started to make an annual trip to the Madison Valley in recent years. For Peter, it’s an opportunity to take advantage of the “off” guiding season, do some fishing himself, and escape the bleak Tasmanian Winter for Northern Hemisphere sunshine. I didn’t need to be asked twice when invited for the latest visit. So it was great excitement that I flew out of Auckland, to meet up with Peter, fellow rodmaker David Hemmings,…

Hook: Mustad Heritage C49XSAP # 14 Tying thread: Sheer 14/0 tan 1 Secure your hook in the vice. Make sure that the hook shaft is horizontal. If you have a true rotary vice, centre the hook. 2 Attach your tying thread as shown, a little behind the hook eye and run a foundation a short way along the hook shank. 3 You will now need some fine, well-marked cow elk hair. It’s not necessary, but it helps if it is long hair. This will make handling it easier. You can also use a standard deer hair. Body: Natural cow elk/deer hair. Late season Shell back: Natural deer hair 4 Cut a small bunch of the cow elk hair, keeping it as long as possible. Now stack the bunch in a…

As time rolled round to the 1997-98 fishing season there had been a change to my living arrangements. Hazel, who had been flatting with her oldest son, needed somewhere else to live and the logical thing was for her to move in to my place. This was accomplished with a few minor problems with my kids, that settled quickly when told there was no hope of getting back with their mother and the reasons why. I was feeling much more settled and peaceful. Work-wise, however, I was starting to see that the youth justice system was most interested in just keeping young offenders out of circulation and, having tried once for a full time placement there with no success, I was starting to look elsewhere. I sought some help around…