Dave and Amelia were kind enough to open up their door to me over Christmas and the last few days. We also managed to fish a few days as well and they made a write up about it on their blog.
Click here:
http://flyfishalberta.blogspot.com/2010/12/black-white-days.html?spref=fb
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Escape from the Weather
Dave and Amelia had invited me up to Hamner Springs for Christmas. With heavy rain forecast for most of the entire West Coast, I decided to take advantage of that and drive my way up the east coast.
The weather was amazing for the drive up, and I got to see some really neat things along the way. It was one of the best drives I have ever done for sure!
We spent Christmas fishing a small tarn up in the alpines. We sight fished along the shore's for brown trout in the 3-7lb range. After lunch the wind had picked up and we decided to hike up a mountain that was right next to the lake. The view was amazing and we got a great view of 5 small lakes and a river that flowed through the valley.
The next 3-4 day forecast is not looking too good once again. There are advisory's to stay off the roads because of the gale force winds, and along the west coast there's projections of 50mm of rain per hour in some places. Along the east coast, most of the rivers have run dry, not leaving a lot of options open in the way of fishing for the next few days at least.
I hope everyone has had a great Christmas, and I miss everyone!
Mac's and PC's aren't compatibable (or I just can't figure it out), and my computer isn't cooperating, but I'll try to add some pics in the next bit!!
The weather was amazing for the drive up, and I got to see some really neat things along the way. It was one of the best drives I have ever done for sure!
We spent Christmas fishing a small tarn up in the alpines. We sight fished along the shore's for brown trout in the 3-7lb range. After lunch the wind had picked up and we decided to hike up a mountain that was right next to the lake. The view was amazing and we got a great view of 5 small lakes and a river that flowed through the valley.
The next 3-4 day forecast is not looking too good once again. There are advisory's to stay off the roads because of the gale force winds, and along the west coast there's projections of 50mm of rain per hour in some places. Along the east coast, most of the rivers have run dry, not leaving a lot of options open in the way of fishing for the next few days at least.
I hope everyone has had a great Christmas, and I miss everyone!
Mac's and PC's aren't compatibable (or I just can't figure it out), and my computer isn't cooperating, but I'll try to add some pics in the next bit!!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
A Joker
A recent conversation I had when I was asking about some rivers in an area...
Old Man: Ya the Joker went up yonder, over a few jollies and took (some unpronounceable named road)
Me: What's a Joker?
Old Man: A Mate
Me: There's three roads right out front, which one takes you to that river?
Old Man: The one that goes yonder (makes a sharp right turn with his hand)
Me: What's a Jollie?
Old Man: A hill
Me: What was that last road called again?
Old: a;lshkdf;aoie
Me: Mind if you show me on a map?
A few things I've noticed so far in NZ:
- they keep their eggs unrefrigerated next to the dry pasta
- speed limits are suggestive, and it's not uncommon to drive 20 km slower (I fall in that crowd)
- black sheep really do exist
- they have farms to raise deer
- getting stuck for two hours waiting for farmers to move their sheep does happen
- it's obligatory to wave when you pass someone driving. It's very similar to how it is when you're boating.
- Canadians are usually nice, but NZ people win in that department. They are more than happy to share any information they have about their country.
- cows are more curious here than they are in Alberta
- Gorse and Lawyers bushes are brutal and you have to think twice about bush whacking to get to a creek but it can pay off
Old Man: Ya the Joker went up yonder, over a few jollies and took (some unpronounceable named road)
Me: What's a Joker?
Old Man: A Mate
Me: There's three roads right out front, which one takes you to that river?
Old Man: The one that goes yonder (makes a sharp right turn with his hand)
Me: What's a Jollie?
Old Man: A hill
Me: What was that last road called again?
Old: a;lshkdf;aoie
Me: Mind if you show me on a map?
A few things I've noticed so far in NZ:
- they keep their eggs unrefrigerated next to the dry pasta
- speed limits are suggestive, and it's not uncommon to drive 20 km slower (I fall in that crowd)
- black sheep really do exist
- they have farms to raise deer
- getting stuck for two hours waiting for farmers to move their sheep does happen
- it's obligatory to wave when you pass someone driving. It's very similar to how it is when you're boating.
- Canadians are usually nice, but NZ people win in that department. They are more than happy to share any information they have about their country.
- cows are more curious here than they are in Alberta
- Gorse and Lawyers bushes are brutal and you have to think twice about bush whacking to get to a creek but it can pay off
Monday, December 20, 2010
Fishing
A lot has to fall in together in order to be successful at fly fishing. Everyone has their own version or idea what it means to be successful. For me it's time on the water; getting lost in the moment where your mind completely shuts off. All your worries about work, the weather, where you're going to spend the night vanish.
The last couple days have been tiresome. With tons of traveling and all my concerns were brought to the forefront. It didn't seem like there would be any end in sight until today.
I arrived at my spot to fish shortly after two guys arrived. They were headed upstream, so I hiked for a couple hours downstream and was going to work my way back to my vehicle.
The drive to my spot was overcast, slight showers and strong gusty wind. The stream I was going to fish is your classic freestone river with deep pools, short riffles and long glides. It also flowed over pastureland, which with the weather at the time would have made spotting fish nearly impossible.
As I began my hike down the sky began to break up and the sun came out. The only weather obstacle to overcome now was the wind. I started to walk up a high bank trying to spot my 1st fish. (When I mean walking it means one step every 10 seconds as you try to search for a fish). It can be a nose on a rock, a tail poking out behind a rock or even the slightest color distortion. Within 10 feet I saw a tail of a fish. I found a landmark to peg where the fish was and moved downstream into the river to get into position to cast. The wind was still gusting and it was going to be a tough cast. My first cast the wind blew my fly back into my face. 2nd cast the wind threw my fly and line up into the bank. I reeled up and climbed back up the bank to see if the fish was still holding in its spot. Nope!! Time to keep moving up.
I crept my way up a few runs only to keep stepping on fish and see them as they spooked. The ones I was able to get into position to cast didn't much appreciate my shitty casting from the wind.
Halfway through the day and not a solid chance at a fish. Things began to creep up in my mind and I wasn't having fun. So I decided it was a good time to have lunch and try to push everything out of my mind and to remember where I was and what I was doing.
The next run I came up to began with a shallow riffle (8 inches deep) with rocks creating the odd deflection. As I got onto a high bank to spot fish the sun went behind the colds. I decided to wait it out and wait for the sun to come back. After 20 minutes it finally poked back out and I was able to see into the riffle again. I didn't have to move to find my fish. It was a slight color distortion behind a rock and every so often you could see it's tail sway in the current.
I found my marker in the river and slid downstream into position to cast. As I got into position I lost my marker in the river, so I had to climb back out and find it again. I stripped enough line off my reel for the distance I was going to need to cast. 1st cast over it's head I saw it's lips break the water and suck my fly back. I waited my 2 seconds and set the hook. The fish went airborne then made a mad dash upstream and I had to follow. I finally get him under control and bring him into some slack water and go to net him and he takes off again, but this time downstream, so I give chase once again. Slowly the fish tires and I'm able to bring him back into slack water again, and I was able to slide my net under its head. After a quick weigh at 6 lbs and a few shitty photos I let the fish go.
Everything fell in together. The sun came out, the wind eased, my cast was good, my fly selection was right, and the fish decided to eat. For the 1st time since being in NZ I was at peace. I didn't care what had happened or what was going to happen, I was completely lost in the moment.
Oops, wrong setting!
6lb Brown Trout
The last couple days have been tiresome. With tons of traveling and all my concerns were brought to the forefront. It didn't seem like there would be any end in sight until today.
I arrived at my spot to fish shortly after two guys arrived. They were headed upstream, so I hiked for a couple hours downstream and was going to work my way back to my vehicle.
The drive to my spot was overcast, slight showers and strong gusty wind. The stream I was going to fish is your classic freestone river with deep pools, short riffles and long glides. It also flowed over pastureland, which with the weather at the time would have made spotting fish nearly impossible.
As I began my hike down the sky began to break up and the sun came out. The only weather obstacle to overcome now was the wind. I started to walk up a high bank trying to spot my 1st fish. (When I mean walking it means one step every 10 seconds as you try to search for a fish). It can be a nose on a rock, a tail poking out behind a rock or even the slightest color distortion. Within 10 feet I saw a tail of a fish. I found a landmark to peg where the fish was and moved downstream into the river to get into position to cast. The wind was still gusting and it was going to be a tough cast. My first cast the wind blew my fly back into my face. 2nd cast the wind threw my fly and line up into the bank. I reeled up and climbed back up the bank to see if the fish was still holding in its spot. Nope!! Time to keep moving up.
I crept my way up a few runs only to keep stepping on fish and see them as they spooked. The ones I was able to get into position to cast didn't much appreciate my shitty casting from the wind.
Halfway through the day and not a solid chance at a fish. Things began to creep up in my mind and I wasn't having fun. So I decided it was a good time to have lunch and try to push everything out of my mind and to remember where I was and what I was doing.
The next run I came up to began with a shallow riffle (8 inches deep) with rocks creating the odd deflection. As I got onto a high bank to spot fish the sun went behind the colds. I decided to wait it out and wait for the sun to come back. After 20 minutes it finally poked back out and I was able to see into the riffle again. I didn't have to move to find my fish. It was a slight color distortion behind a rock and every so often you could see it's tail sway in the current.
I found my marker in the river and slid downstream into position to cast. As I got into position I lost my marker in the river, so I had to climb back out and find it again. I stripped enough line off my reel for the distance I was going to need to cast. 1st cast over it's head I saw it's lips break the water and suck my fly back. I waited my 2 seconds and set the hook. The fish went airborne then made a mad dash upstream and I had to follow. I finally get him under control and bring him into some slack water and go to net him and he takes off again, but this time downstream, so I give chase once again. Slowly the fish tires and I'm able to bring him back into slack water again, and I was able to slide my net under its head. After a quick weigh at 6 lbs and a few shitty photos I let the fish go.
Everything fell in together. The sun came out, the wind eased, my cast was good, my fly selection was right, and the fish decided to eat. For the 1st time since being in NZ I was at peace. I didn't care what had happened or what was going to happen, I was completely lost in the moment.
Oops, wrong setting!
6lb Brown Trout
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Rolling with the Punches
With rain forecast for most of the island, with a foot in some areas, I've been forced to abandon my plans and start over.
I drove from Greymouth down to Cromwell to try to get away from it. This drive should have been 6 hours, but it took about 9 due to the heavy rain and the slow driving that accompanied it.
I poked around a few places today, but the Norwester wind played havoc and the high grey clouds put an end to sight fishing. Headed to Gore tonight, and hope to be able to figure a few things out for the next few days until the rain stops and the rivers drop and clear!
Sheep Country:
I drove from Greymouth down to Cromwell to try to get away from it. This drive should have been 6 hours, but it took about 9 due to the heavy rain and the slow driving that accompanied it.
I poked around a few places today, but the Norwester wind played havoc and the high grey clouds put an end to sight fishing. Headed to Gore tonight, and hope to be able to figure a few things out for the next few days until the rain stops and the rivers drop and clear!
Sheep Country:
Friday, December 17, 2010
Blog Post Plug
Click the link to Dave & Amelia's blog on our last trip together.
http://flyfishalberta.blogspot.com/2010/12/jungle-love.html
It was an interesting day, but was the best one!!
http://flyfishalberta.blogspot.com/2010/12/jungle-love.html
It was an interesting day, but was the best one!!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
NZ 1: Mitch 0
10 minutes into my 1st time fishing NZ we found a fish feeding in a deep trough. It wasn't the biggest fish, but nonetheless I was fairly excited.
The fish was moving randomly in a 20 ft box feeding on nymphs. I positioned myself below him and started to cast. I couldn't time it right, and when I did manage to get one that looked like it was going to go over his head, he moved to pick off another bug away from the lane he was holding in. I tried about 10 different flies, and spent a good 30 minutes trying to catch the fish and we decided to give up and keep moving onward.
NZ 1: Mitch 0
Shortly after that I decided to jump down a bank and rolled my ankle pretty bad and fell in the water. Not a great intro!!
Working upstream we spotted a few fish feeding on nymphs but they weren't interested in what we we offering.
We didn't come across a fish for 6 bends, then Dave sighted a nice 5lb fish and caught her.
Next fish we found was on a nice bend with a high bank on the left hand side. Dave found a heavy fish actively feeding on nymphs. The guess on the weight of the fish was 10lb's. It was my go and after 10 fly changes again I got him to take. Problem was Dave didn't yell soon enough and I didn't see him take my nymph. My late set spooked the fish and it took off. Surprisingly enough my ankle didn't hurt anymore and I was finally able to breathe again after holding my breath for so long!
Saw a ton of eels today. It is pretty strange seeing a 5 foot eel swimming up right beside you!
Amelia working a fish and Dave helping keep track of it
Grey sky and hard sighting
5lb trout in skinny water
The fish was moving randomly in a 20 ft box feeding on nymphs. I positioned myself below him and started to cast. I couldn't time it right, and when I did manage to get one that looked like it was going to go over his head, he moved to pick off another bug away from the lane he was holding in. I tried about 10 different flies, and spent a good 30 minutes trying to catch the fish and we decided to give up and keep moving onward.
NZ 1: Mitch 0
Shortly after that I decided to jump down a bank and rolled my ankle pretty bad and fell in the water. Not a great intro!!
Working upstream we spotted a few fish feeding on nymphs but they weren't interested in what we we offering.
We didn't come across a fish for 6 bends, then Dave sighted a nice 5lb fish and caught her.
Next fish we found was on a nice bend with a high bank on the left hand side. Dave found a heavy fish actively feeding on nymphs. The guess on the weight of the fish was 10lb's. It was my go and after 10 fly changes again I got him to take. Problem was Dave didn't yell soon enough and I didn't see him take my nymph. My late set spooked the fish and it took off. Surprisingly enough my ankle didn't hurt anymore and I was finally able to breathe again after holding my breath for so long!
Saw a ton of eels today. It is pretty strange seeing a 5 foot eel swimming up right beside you!
Amelia working a fish and Dave helping keep track of it
Grey sky and hard sighting
5lb trout in skinny water
Monday, December 13, 2010
Driving on the Left...
Driving on the left hand side of the road while sitting on a different side of a vehicle is apparently really hard. Probably no surprise, but I got lost…more than once, in downtown Christchurch. A few times I turned around because I missed a turn (go figure) and ended up heading back towards traffic on the wrong side of the road. I won't even begin to talk about roundabouts…
I took the West Coast road through Arthur's Pass to head over to Hokitika. My intentions were to try to get here with enough time to fish in the afternoon, but I played sight seer and stopped at a few places along the way. It's pretty neat how it seems that all of a sudden you hit a boundary and you are in the tropics heading east to west over the Southern Alps. Maybe it's because of all the rain…it's been raining since 2 this afternoon, and is still coming down pretty hard!
Off to fish with Dave and Amelia for the next three days and hope to be able to catch my first New Zealand trout!!
Looking back east on the eastern side of the West Coast Road:
Castle Hills - Arthur Pass:
I took the West Coast road through Arthur's Pass to head over to Hokitika. My intentions were to try to get here with enough time to fish in the afternoon, but I played sight seer and stopped at a few places along the way. It's pretty neat how it seems that all of a sudden you hit a boundary and you are in the tropics heading east to west over the Southern Alps. Maybe it's because of all the rain…it's been raining since 2 this afternoon, and is still coming down pretty hard!
Off to fish with Dave and Amelia for the next three days and hope to be able to catch my first New Zealand trout!!
Looking back east on the eastern side of the West Coast Road:
Castle Hills - Arthur Pass:
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Attempt At Packing
Apparently I'm not that good at it...after about 7 times trying to fit everything into my bags I still couldn't get it to fit.
Kali was right beside me trying to help. Either that, or she was laughing at me. I haven't really decided on that yet.
Then I received some good advice...think like Les Stroud! Separate the the essentials from the things I would like to have. Pack those first and add the other things I would like to have. I think I have it pretty close...but I haven't packed some of my fishing stuff yet, as I'm still doing last minute things to get them ready! This time next week I will be sitting on a plane heading to Christchurch!
Kali was right beside me trying to help. Either that, or she was laughing at me. I haven't really decided on that yet.
Then I received some good advice...think like Les Stroud! Separate the the essentials from the things I would like to have. Pack those first and add the other things I would like to have. I think I have it pretty close...but I haven't packed some of my fishing stuff yet, as I'm still doing last minute things to get them ready! This time next week I will be sitting on a plane heading to Christchurch!
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