Fishing in New Zealand > Getting started > Where to fish?

Where to fish?

Anywhere where there is a reasonable chance of catching trout is the simple answer. There will be waters near you with a reputation for producing trout. Fish one or two waters regularly and get to know them. Learn how to fish them in the different seasons, and once you have acquired some experience and been successful in catching fish, try new waters.

If a beginner fishes new water on every outing it is impossible to build up a picture of trout feeding patterns and habits. There is no secret place where trout give themselves up, if there ever was they would have all been caught long ago.

Which is the most productive way of catching trout?

The most productive method would vary from day to day on any given water. It should be borne in mind that by far the largest part of trout food is underwater, so the most appropriate method most of the time is to fish wet. However, the most successful fly fishermen are versatile and able to match most situations as they arise, so don't limit your self to one method only.

How much do I need to know about insects?
I have known many fly fishers who knew little or nothing about insects, and most of them fished with some success, despite their ignorance. The most successful fly fishers have at least a basic knowledge of the insects and other creatures that form the diet of trout.

At its simplest level this can be matching a natural insect with a suitable imitation. After several seasons the angler will build up knowledge of patterns that are successful when various insects are on the water. However, if the angler knows, for instance, that there are three stages of a mayfly—nymph, dun and spinner, not only will he be able to tie on the correct imitation more quickly he can even anticipate the feeding pattern of the trout.

More important than knowing what insect species are present is just being aware that they are there and being able to select a suitable imitation to match them.

The best way to build up a picture of what trout feed on is to examine the stomach contents of any fish you catch. It soon becomes obvious that in most areas a few species form the major part of a trout's diet, and that a lot fewer imitations are needed to match them than there are fly patterns in a tackle shop.

What makes a good fly fisher?
Several factors go together to make a good fly fisher. The first is observation, being aware of what is going on in and on the water, being able to detect subtle changes in insect and fish activity. Application is the second factor, the ability to put into action a strategy based on what has been observed.

And finally, persistence to keep on trying something new when nothing seems to be working. There is no-one (or almost no-one) who cannot become a fly fisher if they try.