I had met a fellow fly fisherman (Steve Lee) at the Mossburn camp ground 3 years ago. In early December Steve contacted me to see if I had any interest in meeting him in New Zealand for a fish. If I can quote Her Royal Highness the Queen, in response to Steve's question, 'shit yeah'. So plans were made and here we were. By way of background Steve works in Hong Kong as a currency trader for Merril Lynch, bloody good one two from all accounts so you guys at MLBA better pay him more. Alright?
14 January
Picked up hire car, stocked up at the supermarket (which basically means bought out the gluten free section, threw in a couple of cans of baked beans for Steve), picked Steve up from Christchurch airport, and headed to Glenthorne Station. Fished Lake Selfe before dark.
Steve
caught a nice fish of 7lbs. I didn’t manage to get a photo before the fish swam off - which may have had something to do with Steve's quick release method.
It was a late night, we didn't get to bed until 12.30am
It was a late night, we didn't get to bed until 12.30am
15 January
Because we are both professional fishermen we thought a early morning start was the way to go. So we got out of bed at 10am. Unbelievable - these early morning starts are a killer. We fished Lake Selfe and Lake Evelyn. We only managed one each, butt a couple of nice
fish. It was a pretty average day weather wise.
Gearing up
Gearing up
16 January
Away at 7.30am, drove to Moana.
Checked in at an Awesome motel - now that's not its name but it should be as it was great. Cheap and top shelf. Karen from the motel dropped my car off for me so we could do the Arnold River outflow. Caught 3 each – which wasn’t bad.
Weather was off and on, hot, cold, wet, dry. I think that's why it's called 'mother' nature - because the weather was definitely female.
Steve playing one we ambushed.
We drove to Lake Haupiri after fishing for the day for a look but decided that it didn’t look nice at all.
Checked in at an Awesome motel - now that's not its name but it should be as it was great. Cheap and top shelf. Karen from the motel dropped my car off for me so we could do the Arnold River outflow. Caught 3 each – which wasn’t bad.
Weather was off and on, hot, cold, wet, dry. I think that's why it's called 'mother' nature - because the weather was definitely female.
Steve playing one we ambushed.
We drove to Lake Haupiri after fishing for the day for a look but decided that it didn’t look nice at all.
17 January
Went to the Arnold river today. Parked near highway and
walked up. Horrendous bush bash. And when I say 'horrendous' I am not talking that up. Man went to the moon easier than we got to the river. Seriously.
Caught one fish of 3lbs early then didn’t get another one till about 2pm.
We started catching them in the willows as the river was running high.
Not sure why Steve is smiling here, he must be a masochist.
Least we had a nice venue for lunch.
Stevo hooked up in the fast water. Its tough to stop them running down stream.
Caught on a stimulator.
We caught 7 between us. 4. When we got back to the car we were completely wrecked from the bush bash!
Caught one fish of 3lbs early then didn’t get another one till about 2pm.
We started catching them in the willows as the river was running high.
Not sure why Steve is smiling here, he must be a masochist.
Least we had a nice venue for lunch.
Stevo hooked up in the fast water. Its tough to stop them running down stream.
Caught on a stimulator.
We caught 7 between us. 4. When we got back to the car we were completely wrecked from the bush bash!
18 January
Today we did some exploring a fished a spring creek that I have never fished. We stopped in an met a landowner (Andrew) who gave us access. Steve hooked
and lost 2. I lost 3 and landed one. Was happy because the one I landed was
pretty nice…7lbs of pure fun.
Beautiful water
Hmmm... now where is that 6" streamer :-)
Whooo hooo....
Saw some other big ones too.
Beautiful water
Hmmm... now where is that 6" streamer :-)
Whooo hooo....
Saw some other big ones too.
19 January
Tonight we had a good dinner at the Café de Paris in
Hokitika. The mere fact that I am telling you that first should give you an
indication of the day we had.
In short, Steve realised he had not packed waders in car when we go to secret fishing location, SZ decided in the spirit of international relations to take him back to motel to get them. On return Steve finds that waders are missing. We both assume (correctly too I might add) that some thieving Kiwi bastard stole them. Steve goes to shop. Steve buys dodgy pair of Snowbee waders to tide him over.
We return to secret kids fishery. We fish for 6 hours in the pouring rain. Number of fish landed….1. Weight….38 grams… .
In short, Steve realised he had not packed waders in car when we go to secret fishing location, SZ decided in the spirit of international relations to take him back to motel to get them. On return Steve finds that waders are missing. We both assume (correctly too I might add) that some thieving Kiwi bastard stole them. Steve goes to shop. Steve buys dodgy pair of Snowbee waders to tide him over.
We return to secret kids fishery. We fish for 6 hours in the pouring rain. Number of fish landed….1. Weight….38 grams… .
As I said – at least dinner was good. J
20 January
Fished Berry Creek. Parked at La Fontaine Airstrip and bush
bashed over. NEVER AGAIN. Bloody nightmare. At least we had a nice day weather wise (once the rain blew away).
Blind fishing a good run.
Awesome looking water.
Nice one Stevo!
Enjoying a cast.
Blind fishing a good run.
Awesome looking water.
Nice one Stevo!
Enjoying a cast.
We caught 4. Little brown
emerger did the damage. Finished at 7pm and legged it to Haast. Was there by
10pm. Dinner was snags and beans.
21 January
Decided that since the weather was good that we would seize
the day. So we went in and saw a helicopter pilot at 9.30am. Arranged an 11.30am departure. We flew into the Moeraki river. Beautiful
river. Saw a fair few fish but only managed 5. Biggest was lost in some timber
but it was all fun. Started fishing at 12pm and got picked up at 9pm. Home in
14 minutes J
Not bad.
All in all a fun day. Don’t think I would go in there again,
due to the numbers of fish and the expense to fly in.
Anticipation is a funny thing, makes you go slightly crazy.
This is a great view of Steve's haircut. Not bad is it?
Pete flew us down another river to see if there were any fish in it, we didnt see one. Compare this to the Moeraki where they were scooting out from everywhere as we flew past.
Isolation.. well for 9 hours at least.
Look there's a $5 note.
This photo is enough to get the heart thumping.
Way you go little fella...
See the fish top left from Steve's head?
Caught this one blind casting in a good looking run.
Another one falls to the cicada.
Double trouble.
This is me trying to hug mother nature, but she had taken off somewhere and didn't want a hug.
Inside the hut. Here's a tip for anyone bored enough to read this blog, don't get choppered into rivers with huts on them.
We are both smiling because Pete the chopper pilot came back for us.
Not a bad view to finish the day with.
Anticipation is a funny thing, makes you go slightly crazy.
This is a great view of Steve's haircut. Not bad is it?
Pete flew us down another river to see if there were any fish in it, we didnt see one. Compare this to the Moeraki where they were scooting out from everywhere as we flew past.
Isolation.. well for 9 hours at least.
 |
| Steve caught this one on a cicada pattern. |
Look there's a $5 note.
This photo is enough to get the heart thumping.
Way you go little fella...
See the fish top left from Steve's head?
Caught this one blind casting in a good looking run.
Another one falls to the cicada.
Double trouble.
This is me trying to hug mother nature, but she had taken off somewhere and didn't want a hug.
Inside the hut. Here's a tip for anyone bored enough to read this blog, don't get choppered into rivers with huts on them.
We are both smiling because Pete the chopper pilot came back for us.
Not a bad view to finish the day with.
22 January
We fished the Turnbull in the morning, conditions were perfect, it was warm, there was no wind and the cicadas were chirping. We managed 3 fish, Steve's was a corker - 8lbs. My two together made 11 pounds. :-)
Hooked up
Steve playing his, he caught this one on a cicada pattern, they seemed to work well that day.
Now that's a nice fish - 8lbs! Biggest of the trip!!
Hooked up
Steve playing his, he caught this one on a cicada pattern, they seemed to work well that day.
Now that's a nice fish - 8lbs! Biggest of the trip!!
We fished Lake Moeraki in the afternoon Steve landed 7 , I managed 9, lost 5, plenty of
other follows. The BEST day of the trip!
Awesome day!
23 January
Drove to Mossburn. Stopped in at Wanaka and had a coffee
with Carl McNeil.
Fished the Hamilton Burn from 5 till 8pm. Landed one nice one of 5lbs and lost 2 others. Not a bad result given how much we fished.
Steering the fish away from the timber.
This is where it all began, Mossburn Camp Ground. I met Steve here 3 years ago. Since then the camp ground has been bought by a new party who gave the cabins a new look. Tres good me thinks.
Fished the Hamilton Burn from 5 till 8pm. Landed one nice one of 5lbs and lost 2 others. Not a bad result given how much we fished.
Steering the fish away from the timber.
This is where it all began, Mossburn Camp Ground. I met Steve here 3 years ago. Since then the camp ground has been bought by a new party who gave the cabins a new look. Tres good me thinks.
24 January
Today we fished Mavora lakes. Used the boats to limited effect.
Only landed one and had 2 other takes, which is pretty dismal given the quality
of the fishery. Oh well!
Got some nice snaps at least.
The fast fishing action was just too much for Steve. :-)
Now if I just had a nymph that replicated this natural I would have had a new secret weapon.
25 January 2013
We fished the Mataura just above Gore today. We had a good day catching them from in the willows.
lunch time on the Mataura
Here he comes....Take it!
Hooked up!
Just plonked a little nymph in front of this one, which seemed to work (unless of course I have photo shopped this photo in here).
Steve with a good one.
I fished a couple of runs on the way back to the car with a wet fly. Landed one doing this.
26 January
Dropped Steve in Christchurch as he had to fly back to Hong Kong to make Mssrs Merrill and Lynch some more bucks.
I drove to Wanaka and stayed with Carl for a few days.
27 January
Carl and Jeanie his wife took me out on their boat today. We had an enjoyable day! Caught a few too.
I had a great time with Carl and managed a couple of afternoons on the Clutha, above the Albertown bridge just walking the bank and belting a few out. Caught a few doing that as well.
:-)
As you would expect I had a fun trip and enjoyed my time with Steve, and Carl and Jeanie at the end. Good times!
Got some nice snaps at least.
The fast fishing action was just too much for Steve. :-)
Now if I just had a nymph that replicated this natural I would have had a new secret weapon.
25 January 2013
We fished the Mataura just above Gore today. We had a good day catching them from in the willows.
lunch time on the Mataura
Here he comes....Take it!
Hooked up!
Just plonked a little nymph in front of this one, which seemed to work (unless of course I have photo shopped this photo in here).
Steve with a good one.
I fished a couple of runs on the way back to the car with a wet fly. Landed one doing this.
26 January
Dropped Steve in Christchurch as he had to fly back to Hong Kong to make Mssrs Merrill and Lynch some more bucks.
I drove to Wanaka and stayed with Carl for a few days.
27 January
Carl and Jeanie his wife took me out on their boat today. We had an enjoyable day! Caught a few too.
I had a great time with Carl and managed a couple of afternoons on the Clutha, above the Albertown bridge just walking the bank and belting a few out. Caught a few doing that as well.
:-)
As you would expect I had a fun trip and enjoyed my time with Steve, and Carl and Jeanie at the end. Good times!