Red Tag: Fishing

TRIP REPORT: NEW ZEALAND

Craig Bolch

Each day we split up with two anglers per guide and fished the rivers in the area. We had three local NZ guides plus Gavin, and you could not beat the knowledge they hadof the area I fishedthe Mataura between Athol and Garston on day one and four, Waikaianear Balfour day two,Matauranear Balfour day three, Toms lake and bright water on day five and Hamilton Burn near Mossburn on day six. We never went to the same place twice, there are so many places to fish it would take you months to cover all the angler accesses. e rivers run through willow lined pasture land with beautiful clear water, long glides and runs, fly fishing heaven. It was all about spotting the trout and casting a dry fly or nymph,dependingonwhatthefishwerefeedingon.

e fishing was challenging but the guides where excellent and they managed to cater for our varied capabilities Everyone caught fish each day I had two days where the fish would not take the fly, you could see them, cast to them, but they just weren ’ t interested. en on other day managed to catch 11 all on the dry fly which was amazing. Most of the fish where 3­4 pounds and they pull hard, usually trying to bust you off in the undercut banks on the first run.

e highlight for me was fishing the bright water, a spring fed creek near Garston e creek only runs about five hundred meters before joining the