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COVID-19 ...giving em fish a break

With the sudden travel restrictions of March 14th putting a halt to my bookings and giving em fish a break. It is with sadness I miss out on reconnecting with some great clients peak season 2020. However, I reflect on what a stunning season it has been with superb dry fly action, great company meeting globally minded fly fisherman wanting to experience New Zealand at its finest. I firmly believe COVID-19 will not keep the avid adventurer away from our beautiful land for long...Kia...

Trout caught near and far

The last month has been real busy guiding locally in the Waikato and further away. A wonderful mix of lovely clients from around the globe Switzerland, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, South Africa and America to name a few. A real array of ability and angling experience has not stopped clients getting into superb Central North Island trout. I am prepared to travel to where the fish are and teach anyone with any ability as fly fishing is as much about the scenery as catching......however catching i...

Mixing up your fly fishing experience!

New Zealand not only offers great back country fishing but many other ways to experience a great day out on the water. It was lovely to recently meet Mark from the USA and show him an array of different fishing opportunities and ways to catch NZ trout. From Rafting to back country small streams the North Island Fly Fishing experience delivered!...

Fly Fishing Convert

Another successful round trip for new fly fishing convert Scott from Sydney. Putting in the effort with me to earn these great Central North Island fish. Well done Scott!!...

Hand tied flies to catch fish

While shop bought flies are a great source and work well there is nothing more satisfying on catching fish on your own hand made patterns. The 2019-2020 break allowed me some time to re stock on a few of my favorites for guiding to try on the lakes and Central North Island rivers. A few fish caught in tight spots as below. (Photo credit Kiyoshi Nakagawa)...

Keeping it local

The Waikato and Rotorua region has been experiencing some consistent heat bringing on dry fly fishing. As trout move into cooler water small cdc and elk hair caddis and rubber leg flies come into there own!! the results are outstanding.  As below Johnny catching a superb fish in very slim water....

Catching up with fellow guides and mates

The North Island fisheries once again prove to be unrated as many tourists head to South Island. The Central North Island and Rotorua, Waikato has had some exceptional fly fishing and it has been a pleasure catching up with fellow guide mates for a fun fish between guiding days. One thing is we are always learning on the fly-fishing journey. Every angler I fish with I come away with some new ideas such was the last month on a few day trips. That's why guides can get us into great fish and take a...

Texan Trouter Finds Gold and Rainbow

After a challenging start for my American,Texas client and farmer we finally struck gold and rainbow, super stoked for his patience and persistence all day. An audience among a few of the local hoods also. A few things we worked on for the day were maintaining contact, reducing slack line and targeting fast oxygenated water. After switching between both barbless and barbed hooks my conclusion was it was more about a good hook set. A quick hook set with either type hooks is the key to a good land...

Good Paddy Tom coached on Czech Nymphing Techniques

A few quality days guiding and coaching my good Paddy Tom, Irishman living in Australia. We worked on Czech Nymphing techniques, line control and some great fish coming on the down stream swing. Tom with more Simms kit than myself! Well fished Tom!!...

River fishing at its best!

What a pleasure guiding Kapiti Anglers Club member and funny man Tony J. proud Liverpool scouse, casting extraordinaire and fit on the river. His casting a wonderful site to behold and the results good times and these great catches. Thanks referral from Johnny @altitudeflyfishing. Guided by @robfishnz #flyfishingnz #northislandflyfishing #guideslife #browntrout #forgettheforecast #manictackleproject #simmsfishing #trout #newzealand ...

Early Season Action for Aussie Client

Finishing off a great few days guiding and teaching Scotty from Sydney. Super fun ticking off the browns and bows during his second fly fishing experience with me. Always good when all goes to plan despite working around the weather. Pushing it hard using new techniques and quality gear! Good on ya Scott! #newzealand #flyfishing #robfishnz #northisland #backcountry #forgettheforecast #simmsfishing #scottflyrods #manictackleproject #airflofishing #simms #manicmates #aussienangler #browntrout @rob...

Hawkes Bay Adventure!

Catching up with my buddy Andrew a newly local Waipawa angler we enjoyed some excellent sight fishing and action over the last few days on one of Hawkes Bays supreme rivers. Most rivers are still running high,  yet some tribs are holding good fish with clear water.  A few fish looking up yet the damage over the last few days using standard brown French nymphs tied on a size 14 Jigg Hook and a long leader 6lb flurocarbon trace. The Primal 5# in full action! The scenery and vino superb! ...

Catching in pressured water

After a few days away in Turangi this week I was reminded again about how thereputic fly fishing is. Sitting watching anglers casting while enjoying a coffee from the local coffee cart at prime position the Turangi bridge. Hours can pass you by and I ask how can anglers be happy to stand in one spot all day and swing a duster or lob those heavy bombs. Each to their own i guess. Personally, I look for a few things to catch fish!  such as targeting rested water. And I fish a little deeper by ...

That Sinking Feeling…

Pre comp it was great to catch up with mate and energizer Queenstowns Chris Dore, expert guide and Manic Tackle Projects Promotions Ambassador. As we explored some fun lakes for a day in the Waikato Region pulling streamers. So much water to explore and not enough time!!...

Your Wellbeing and Mental Health Matters! 5 Ways...

More and more we are noticing the pace of life and pressure getting too much, and it is no wonder we are forgetting to take time out and appreciate the simple things in life, to be still and take in the sounds and smells of nature, observe the movement of a fish gracefully sipping away mayflies on a river, standing in awe of a majestic mountain or a cascading waterfall. So, with a busy life getting away fly fishing Is not all about the catching it’s more about the experience. Experience to mai...

Taking bookings now for the new season.... still some great end of winter action

My Guiding season kicking off soon yet some Winters around,  Nice to get amongst a few during the weekend and catch up with the crew...

Carp on the humongous fly

Bit of fun down at the local, spotting a few carp and this baby took the fly. Winter fishing away from the usual local spawning run in Taupo, at least is casting practice....

BIG "PIG" FISH

After a busy season on the water enjoying guiding clients into fish it was my turn. So, I grew up with cheesy shows like the Muppets "Pigs In Space" and the "Cannon Ball Run" yet I never thought to myself an adventure with local Hamiltonian angling mate Mark Etheridge would come to exactly that....3 days of learning the technical side of slinging Clear Drift Eggs thanks to Amazing Baits. Mark and I used relatively light tippet compared to the fish we were catching (7lb Fluro both Double X a...

Spring Creek Fun

A recent guided trip with Scottish angler Rob. Testing Manics Primal rod easy turning over small dries in this  picturesque spring creek surrounding...

High Fives

Suffering from the lack of rain local rivers have been low so on this trip it was important to stress covering pocket water and to maintain a drag free drift. The key being PRESENTATION. Both clients listened well to instructions and had good results. With pressure on all waterways it was essential to keep moving covering fresh previously unfished water, this meant casting to far banks and throwing flies into back waters. Success came using Cicada flies and sto...

Summer Prime Time Action

Scott over here from Sydney nailing many fish for his 3 day trip...

Rainbows are on lake v's river

Back in the North Island for some weekend fun with mates Mark Etheridge and Craig Farrar....river rainbows or lake rainbows! an early start on the North Islands Central plateau vistas...

Southern fun continued

Super fun to hit the south and catch up with Mr Sexyloops Ronan Creane mixing a combination of fish grubbing, hitting small dries and of course Chris Mr Dores Glister never goes amiss. As North Islanders we can get lazy with our fishing, however putting in the Kms down here in spectacular country puts it all back into perspective! So the question is do we have better fishing here in the North Island of NZ?, my answer is NO the South Island is just different needing some technical skills and a bi...

Southern Grubbers

Fun times and a few snaps from my recent trip down South hitting grubbers lake side with Alan Timmins. Alan is a great example of a guy using guides and paying for quality gear, getting straight into the grove and fishing community to catch fish quickly! Thanks to Ronan Creane (Cromwell) #manictackleproject #scottflyrods #lamsonreels #airfloflylines #simmsfishing...

When damsels come out to play!

Lately some good fish have been seen coming out of our Central North Island fishing locations, and damsels pay a big part of this equation and trout eats. A few things to note when tying damsel patterns.  Keeping your flies to a low profile, slim and dull little or no flash. I prefer to use barbless hooks as the hook-up rate is far better. Some of the barbless models come in black rather than the standard 'bling' silver. Browns in particular can be fussy to bling. Additi...