Fishing Reports index > April 2007

Trout Chasing

From Chris Dore

Well the southern freshwater season is nearing its end, and as I write, snow falls on the Wakatipu. Luckily, the accompanying rainfall has done little to affect local river conditions, although I suspect the resulting snowmelt may restrict the upcoming hatches on the Mataura.

Most rivers have been in great condition for much of this summer, and many larger than average fish have been encountered in many of them, in particular, those beech lined, ‘mouse year gems’ to the west.

Looking ahead, out lake tributaries will remain open until the end of may, providing ample opportunities for those less worried by the weather to chase some impressive brownies, as they make their way towards their spawning beds. Whilst these rivers are also renowned for their rainbow populations, these may seem a little sparse, low summertime levels chasing many of these fish back down towards the lakes.

I use two main techniques when fishing at this time of year, the upstream nymph rig, and across and down with a suitable streamer.

My nymphing set up is simple. A large, flashy tungsten stonefly or similar, trailed 12 inches behind by a more natural size 16 caddis or mayfly representation. The good old ‘truck and trailer’ trick, where the larger of my flies serves a dual purpose; to act as a flashy attractor, and to get my more natural size 16 down to depths in currents it would not normally attain by itself. This is set 1m or similar beneath a polyyarn indicator of contrasting colours (i.e., black and white) dependent on depth of water, for better visibility in a variety of light conditions.

With this, I focus on the seams and pockets near both the tail of the pool, and again in the faster water at the head. Most of the fish you will see in the pools are normally siting deep, not in a feeding position, and so are best left for the downstream return.

As many of these fish are actually up these rivers now for reasons other than feeding, many will require a little more motivation to move to your fly… A size 4 streamer will provide plenty of motivation here!

Fished on a floating line, I rig up a clear intermediate Airflo poly tip, (a 10’ clear sinking leader) and attach a length of 8lb nylon to this. Fishing my way back downstream, I pitch my streamer, normally a woolly bugger, or marabou variant (I find built - in movement essential in a streamer), across into the fast water at the top of the pool, mending as it tumbles down over the lip to attain depth, maintaining a tight line as it begins to swing across the pool proper. Use a long leader, for these fish can be flighty, and impart a little movement to your fly, via stripping the line, or movement with the rod tip.

This tactic can also make those windy days a lot more angler friendly, for you are no longer pitching a long leader upstream into the teeth of the gale, but are pitching, often roll casting your line across, or even slightly downstream with the wind. Follow the line around with your rod tip to ensure a tight line, and let the current swing your fly and do the rest!

Having trouble casting a large, often heavy streamer? Then forget about aerializing it over the rod tip, for this can often lead to disaster, and often broken graphite.

How trying a Belgian, or elliptical style cast?

Start as per normal, rod tip low and in front, stripping all slack out of the line, but draw you rod tip back along the horizontal plane as opposed to the vertical whilst performing the lift. During the pause, reposition your rod tip towards the vertical, before completing your forward cast in a more vertical plane. In short (thank heavens you cry!!), side cast backwards, and overhead cast forwards, repositioning your rod tip upwards during the pause (a basic in – the – air – mend). You have now completed a circular, or elliptical shaped path of the rod tip, keeping your large, evil, flesh-seeking hook well away from your rod tip, head, and other sensitive parts.

A great technique also when casting with a strong tailing wind. Quick, tight back casts, and open, slower forward casts, to avoid the nasty tangles which can result from a rearward wind propelling your tight loops forward.

If wandering into these often-remote areas over the next few weeks, be prepared for the weather. The past several May’s, during my annual wander up the Greenstone or Caples, my friends and I often encounter icy winds, rain and heavy snow flurries. No matter the weather when setting off from the car, ensure suitable inclement weather kit is at hand, and your intentions are known.

Tight lines

Chris Dore

FFF Certified Casting Instructor

M. 027 693 3027

Chris Dore is an independent fishing guide; his reports are not officially representative of Fish & Game NZ