Sunday 27 October 2013

Fly Designs, NZ Rainbow Trout Rivers, NZ Fly Tying, NZ Fly Fishing, NZ Fly Fishing School, Fly Casting Lessons

After walking up a few rivers when they were clear checking out the rainbow population,  I managed to get this good shot.
RAINBOW RIVERS

It is nearly the 1st of November when all the rivers that flow into lakes open. This is the time when there is plenty of rainbow trout around - providing the rivers run clear after all the rain. Some good fun sport should be had.
A wee size 16 Deadly Bloodworm under a dry fly or an indicator usually gets their attention and mouth open. After doing my usual checks on a few rivers they are looking pretty much as they always do at this time of year and with plenty of pre-spawning rainbow in them.

A BIT OF CRAP WEATHER

Yes, in the past few weeks we have had all types of weather thrown at us, but it is only weather I suppose and there is nothing we can do about it. It is kind of good us humans are not controlling it, just like fishing we can't force the fish to open its mouth and be fooled.

Yes, this was taken just after lunch last week.

A BIT OF GOOD WEATHER

This was also taken last week
BACK AT THE VISE - WITH A VISION 

When I can get a chance, I am on the vise working away perfecting some designs.
I just finished one design that originally started in Tasmania (Australia) some 17 years ago. Things like this make myself and my customers realize the time and work that go into my designs.

THE FACT - BUY THE FLIES YOU CAN TRUST

Nearly every other company just copies every fly design from computers and gets them made and sent out - sometimes with a different name and a new tail. They do not care. I do care about my customers and what they are tying on, the design and the hook.
I want my customers to catch fish, have a durable fly for basically the same price as a poor quality fly on a cheap brand hook sold in most shops through NZ, Australia and the rest of the world. And I want my customers to come back and buy with confidence.
Now that  I have gone wholesale with my designs, you can now ask at your local fishing shop for Superior flies and trust it. At last you as the customer have NOW the choice - never trust what people tell you about flies they are selling, look for the Superior fly brand (black and gold label) and fish with confidence.

This week I received another new materials order for my own personal use. Oh what fun I will be having. 


THE NEW BATTLE SHIP

Here it is the new access boat all kitted out and ready to go. Not only will I be using this myself, it will be available for renting out. Just drop me a email if you wish to rent it for yourself or if you are a guide with your clients. We also have mountain bikes, waders, rods, reels etc. for rental as well.

All kitted out for the new season for my multi-day road trips with my clients

Fly casting lesson in the sun (lucky weather day) - it is such a good feeling helping others perfect their casting and fishing. Check out my NZ Fly Fishing Schools


JUST ONE CLIENT FEEDBACK


Please keep the photos and feedback coming it is all very much appreciated.


"I have driven 6 hours from Christchurch on Friday night to fish a Southland stream which runs through my mates farm. Up at 6 am Saturday morning I walked upstream from the road bridge. I spotted 14 fish and cast to at least 8 of them with flat out refusals every time. At 1 o'clock I needed some inspiration (read retail therapy) so packed the gear into the car and headed for Athol and Stu's Fly Shop. 

When I arrived, Ela was surprised to hear I was having difficulty hooking up. But when I told her what flies I was using she explained that it might be too early in the year to be fishing them (they worked for me at the end of last season but its now spring time....Duuuhhh me!). Ela took me through half a dozen different patterns which Stu and the other customers had been reporting success on. I purchased a couple of each and headed back to the river.

Fishing the same river with the same leader same everything... the only difference being the fly on the end... I cast to 7 fish, hooked 4 landed three one of which was on a dry (Stu's grey Parachute Mayfly size 14, others on Stu's grey Deadly Nymph size 14)... A fish on a dry in the second week of October!..Magic!

Actually not magic just some really good help some really good fly patterns and some of the Stu's and Ela's inspiration that I get every time I go into the shop! Thanks again Ela.

I have attached the photo's as promised on Saturday. Sorry about the quality, I was on my own so had noone to take pictures... 

Thanks again Ela I will definitely be spreading the good word.
A very happy Irishman,
Graeme Reid"


Have a great season everybody and keep supporting the little shop with more passion than a man in bed with two Swedish models.
Cheers,
Stu ,Ela & Milo (aka FANG)

Thursday 3 October 2013

Mataura River Fly Fishing, NZ Fishing Flies, Mayflies on the Mataura, Superhero range of Flies, Fly fishing NZ Guiding packages



Michael Scheele - the NZ artist - has been busy with his great art work again. This year, three of my Deadly Fly Designs have been featured on the fly fishing NZ calendar which is awesome.. Above is my smelt bait fish fly the Barred White Deadly minnow  click here to see

Hello,

DEATH IN THE VALLEY BY STARVING FISHERMEN !

The season has started here and early in the morning when I am at the vise, I hear and see many fisher folks cars sneaking about the back roads heading to the Mataura River that is just behind my shop and house.
These are mainly the bait fishing guys, just out for a feed and mainly of an older school of though when it comes to catch and release.
If only I could make them understand the big fish they love to kill and boast about are the gene pool for future large fish, without them the size may decrease. Guys just eat the smaller ones.

THE BRAVE IN CHRISTCHURCH CITY

So thats my wee complaint which is nothing compared to my recent visit to Christchurch - my first visit in years. The guys up there have had it tough and are still smiling despite the town being wrecked by each quakes, you guys are much braver than I will ever be.

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT FROM A UNIQUE LITTLE FLY COMPANY      -     WHO CARES ABOUT YOU 

5 years from the first prototype - The Superhero range is being released, fishing will never be the same!
Click here to buy the first release
- The Superhero Nymph
THE COMMANDO UV NYMPH - a real cracker of a wee design
Click here to get your hands on some of these

THE FIRST DAY OF GUIDING OF THE NEW SEASON

A nice fat brown shows its powerful tail!
The fist day of guiding for the season was fun for me and my client Mike.
Mike had one day booked with me and had some tuition from a friend. Though had only been out fly fishing 2 times in over ten years. So today he told me was as much about trying to catch a trout, but mainly for some good on the water tuition.
It was not looking too good when we started the forecast was for 130klm hour winds and some heavy rain.
There was fishermen in most of the access spots along all the rivers. After a 40 min drive, we managed top find a spot without a car parked and set off.
It was not long before we found a pool with every fish out feeding and it was like that pretty much all day.
So it was an awesome day for learning and more.
9 fish were fooled by Mike into taking the Superior Fly! From Mikes comments at the end of the day his friend Craig (a very keen fly fisherman) "Better watch out!" Pretty sure Mike will be joining him on all his fishing trips from now on and I really hope so.

Mike was happy after a day of action , another happy client  about to step into the fascinating world of fly fishing .

LEARNING NEW SKILLS

I have now spent weeks behind the lens learning, getting things ready for the new launch
MAY FLIES ON THE MATAURA RIVER - OCTOBER

The weather has been hot and cold and mayflies are hatching most afternoons and if you are lucky enough to find a trout in some shallow water or close to a bank at this time there is a high chance you may be able to take off your nymph offering and think about a small dry fly?
A local keen fisherman the other day managed two nice browns doing just this.

This little fellows mum and dad found a great way to  transport him using a Stu's Fly Shop bag. Looking at his face I do not think he feels too safe!




 STU'S FLY SHOP IS NOW OPEN FOR THE SEASON

Check out my new guiding packages  and come fishing with the best - the legend Stu Tripney :)

 Thank you all for your support as it is all very much appreciated especially any orders, keep the great comments and photos coming in and please share the videos  and blog with others.
Cheers
Stu & Ela





Monday 9 September 2013

RISE FLY FISHING FILM FESTIVAL, SPONSOR STU'S SUPERIOR FLIES, GREAT FLY FISHING FILMS, SUPERIOR FLIES DISPLAY



 Stu's Superior Saltwater Durable Flies 
 SORE BACK - A TIP

Hello,
The jaws of my fly tying vise are nearly worn out again and the innovation and creation process is taking its toll mainly on my back.
So here is a tip if like me, you spend a long time at the vice or laptop: get the best seat you can and a Tempur back support, which will help you sit more upright - if you are a slouch like me.


 STU'S SEPTEMBER GUIDING AND CASTING LESSONS

The guiding and NZ Fly Fishing Schools days have already started for me and with the mild weather plenty fun has been had and improved casting skills.
It has been interesting stalking the edges of the local lake and sight casting Deadly Minnows in front of cruising trout. Some of them have come from over 15ft in the clear water to intercept the fly.
Dates are filling fast for the season so if you are interested in polishing up your skills or just a fun day on the water drop me a line.

Stu's Deadly Blood Worm


ON TOUR WITH THE FLY FISHING FILM FESTIVAL

For the first time in the 8 years since the Rise Fly Fishing Film Festival has toured, I have at last managed with the help of Ela to be able to tour with it on the North Island and maybe some of the Southland dates. It would also have been great to tour with it in Australia, but the pennies will not stretch that far - bugger! Maybe next year.

The short fly fishing films that will be shown are: "Only The River Knows",  "Jungle Fish", "Blackwater Devil's Gold" and the big first time showing of Nick's new film Leviathan - which is also the featured film. Going along to any of the shows is a great way to support the film makers, sponsors and in general fly fishing as a whole.


PROUD SPONSOR & SUPPORTER

As a proud sponsor  of the Rise Festival I am allowed to display my flies at the shows.
So it is all go here getting ready to set up my little table with a display of my fly designs for all to see and also to hopefully meet many old and new friends. I will be sending Ela back in Athol some photos of the shows and feedback which she will post here and on the Stu's Fly Shop Facebook page.

Stu's top selling Hi - Viz Caddis


 A FEW WORDS FROM THE RISE FLY FISHING FILM FOUNDER - NICK REYGAERT

Welcome to the Rise Fly Fishing Film Festival. It is hard for me to believe that we are in our eighth consecutive year. What started life as an obscure concept has developed into one of the premier events on the fly fishing calendar.
As a pastime, fly fishing encourages isolation. Lets face it, if there were two hundred fly fishers on your local stream, you would hardly be rushing down to meet them! The festival gives us a rare opportunity to meet en masse in a social setting, exchange ideas and maybe even trade a few secret spots. To date as many as three fly fishing clubs have had their genesis after members met a Rise.



Watch the trailer

AUCKLAND - RISE FLY FISHING FILM FESTIVAL - REPORT

Before knowing what was going on, I was off the plane and into the smallest cheapest rental car Ela could find (not really my choice). It is like driving a mouse on wheels after my Landcruiser.
Found my bed in the dorm of  the city backpackers with a good strong whiff of curry in the room. 
Paid for the city parking that was more than the accommodation for the night and realized I was not in Athol any more.
Found the cinema and set up my table next to the Rise Festival Stall, whilst eating a big burger called - the Bastard.

The ultimate burger?

People came streaming in to the cinema and it was great to have a quick chat with old and new customers.
There was the captain of the NZ fly fishing team, TV celebrity fishermen from the NZ TV shows and plenty keen others. It was nearly a full house.

Thank you Auckland, it was a great night!

During the film I sat down the front and it brought a great big smile to my face hearing all the gasps of disbelief and laughs of everybody as they enjoyed film after film on the big screen.
After the showing of Nicks feature film - LEVIATHAN, I could here a constant murmur in the room - that was a great movie! 
The thoughts of those attending must have been: "That's it, I am going fishing and I'm pumped".

TAUPO - RISE FLY FISHING FILM FESTIVAL - REPORT

The sign said $15 bucks for the night in the car park in Auckland a bit on the steep side - though I was near to the backpackers and cinema.
Inserting my car parking ticket into the machine 5 times and it still said $60, it was not long before it was pointed out the small print on the bottom of the sign! Smart buggers!
A little bit lighter in the wallet and now even more keen to leave the big smoke the super small rental car was now on it's way to Taupo.
Taupo is another wee cool town and with a fishy feel to it and fish images all around. 
The cinema was in the center and another great location, tables were scrounged from the ever helpful staff and the Superior Flies display table was organized and also the RISE ticket & DVD sales table.


Thank you Taupo!
There was also some other great special sponsors here, as all the profits from tonight's films would be going to help Dave and his awesome gang of young recruits who are committed river-keepers of the area. It's so good to meet river warriors and the folks that do their best to assist them.
It was nearly a full house and everyone loved the films. Many I asked said the films and the quality of the films were the best they had ever seen. 
The RISE table
There were famous guides here and lodge owners and people who did not even fish - it was another great night of fish porn.
One of the talking points of tonight's films was the first part of LEVIATHAN and just where was that location and stream? Double figure monster trout exploding in a shallow water connected to 20lb tippet!!! No finesse in this stream!
Talking to fishy Steve - a guide up here - I realized that these guides up here are full time. That's all they do, they guide all year. 
It's worth if you are ever up this way to spend at least one day out on the water with one these full time guides, even if you think you know it all.
Stu's Superior Flies table

PALMERSTON NORTH - RISE FLY FISHING FILM FESTIVAL - REPORT

The Palmerston North RISE show was another success - all that attended were happy that they did. A full bag of FREE prizes was given away, everybody was amazed about the quality of the films shown. 

Thank you, Palmerston North!
Stu's Superior Flies selection


Tonight the festival arrives in Wellington - the capital of New Zealand. Hope to see you all there and remember to drag (bring) your friends along :)
See you all at the Stu's Superior Flies table.
Cheers, 
Stu



Friday 30 August 2013

WHY WE FLY FISH , CRAB FLY, DAMSEL NYMPHS, RISE FLY FISHING FILM FESTIVAL





Hello,  The New Zealand fishing season is not far away and due to the mild weather more people seem to be about and hanging over bridges. Looking for that magical shape of a trout, that they are going to catch this year!
But before the season kicks in, The RISE Fly Fishing Film Festival is about to tour and be coming to a location near you in New Zealand or Australia. 
Stu's Fly Shop & Superior Flies is again proud to be sponsoring the festival - why - because we love it!
It is a great night out, not only to see the latest fishing films about to be released, but a great social event and an excuse to eat ice cream and popcorn.

Since being back it has been so busy gearing up for the new season, marketing, web stuff, photos, fly designs and building work. Seems most days I am working 16 hrs and the season is still along way off.


SWING THESE - STU'S  CADDIS PUPAE ACROSS & DOWN, LIFTING AND DROPPING THE  TIP OF THE ROD

"This fly shine's in the water which makes it irresistible to fish. Made from durable synthetic materials with a hot wire chartreuse body for some weight, covered with a synthetic tan transparent bubble body"


FLY SHOP CAP, BUFF & T-SHIRT - COMBO


TRY FISHING THESE SMALL BUT HEAVY DAMSEL FLY NYMPHS DOWN  DEEP - AT THIS TIME OF YEAR THE FISH ARE MOVING SLOW THROUGH THE WEED BEDS.


CUSTOMER COMMENTS:


G’day Stu & Ela,
I received my fly selection in the post today and a big thank you. I have never seen such quality and balance in fly patterns. How you can tie such small lies is beyond comprehension and your innovative use of synthetic materials is the best I have ever purchased or seen anywhere.
 Rest assured you will be receiving quite a few orders from me and when I get the chance I will show my fellow Trout fly fishers the selection I received.
May your eyes stay sharp and your mind in tune.
Kind regards
David Coombes 


ORIGINALLY DESIGNED FOR SALTWATER SPECIES, THIS DEADLY CRAB DESIGN IS PROVING POPULAR FOR CARP AND   IN THE PAST YEAR - FOR NZ SEA TROUT ON THE WEST COAST OF NEW ZEALAND.
IT MAY BE A MILD WINTER BUT A COLD LATE ONE MAY APPEAR SO  OUT WITH THE CHAINSAW.


  ALSO CURRENTLY DEMOLISHING THE OLD GARAGE AND LARGE SHED BESIDE THE CASTING AREA, HOPEFULLY EVENTUALLY TO BUILD ANOTHER ONE YEAR WHICH IS NOT A TOWN FIRE HAZARD.



Cheers
Stu & Ela




Monday 29 July 2013

The Trout Bohemia NZ Fly Fishing Book Review, Trout Diaries, Stu Tripney


The Trout Bohemia - avaiable @ Stu's Fly Shop

My nose is so cold and it is supposed to be summer here in Yellowstone Park - maybe the bears are hibernating this summer? Deciding there is no choice, I gently roll over and push my nose into the cheap Walmart pillow. It is now I am wishing I had purchased the more expensive, softer one but the scottish blood in me got the better of me.

It was full moon last night and maybe that was the cause of the constant chatter of the Canadian geese most of the night in the meadow beside the tent.The red stuff is starting to circulate round my ever increasing nose of old age and it starts to feel normal again.
I smile as the noisy geese take flight to pastures new, all is quite again. Drifting off into a dream of bears sniffing round the tent after my prized fly tying material, my mind plays tricks on me.
Suddenly my eyes are open as I feel the corner of my new travel book dig into the side of my neck, left there from the night before.

The Trout Bohemia is the book spawned from Derek Grzelewski's first book The Trout Diaries. My mind wanders back to some of the chapters that were dreamily read late last night - until my hands got too cold.
Smiling and staring at the condensation on the roof of the tent, casting my mind back to some of the interesting and juicy bits. "Wonder if I know that guy in the North Island? Surely I know that river? So that is where and how the jet boat engine started its life!
"Those bohemians must have come through the shop at some stage over the years. I must know most of them!"

Fighting!

The battery life in the lantern was gradually dying but that did not matter. The sun was rising and its warm rays started to light up the inside of the tent. Great! Enough visibility to read and to be taken for another great adventure in the pages of the book before it is time to string up my fly rod and chase some small Yellowstone grayling.

Closing the book, I unzip the tent with a smile on my face, the fish are calling. Or is it just the fresh air? Whilst playing with water and the creatures that live in it on the other side of the world, my mind seems to be constantly going back to different chapters in the book. 
Only two other authors have ever managed to do this to me, a great travel writer, Paul Theroux and fly fishing legend author John Gierach.

Derek Grzelewski is writing his way to greatness and has yet again crafted another awesome book.
He has an unique gift of taking the reader on a true journey. A thought provoking love story about trout, bohemians, emotions, love, knowledge and a dog he sleeps with.
Just like The Trout Diaries, you will end up reading The Trout Bohemia book more than once and using it as a reference guide in more than one way. 

 
Warming up after a cold night camping


Your mind will wander back and forth whilst reading it and for months after. I can promise you that part.
How is my casting? What can I do to improve my love life? Do I like dogs? What do I want out of life? Do I have the right fly tied on?Am I really here for the fish?
Once Derek Grzelewski has finished writing about NZ and its trout and people, I personally can not wait until he wanders off to other continents to chase other species of fish - and  meets the bohemians that chase them. I hope he takes his pen and paper with him, the world is his oyster! The Fly Fishing Bohemians Vol 1 - 100!

Thank you for your great work Derek.

Though maybe he has found his true love?
A book worth the wait.
Thank you for your great work Derek.

Cheers,
Stu Tripney
Owner of Stu's Fly Shop, Stu's Superior Flies and NZ Fly Fishing School.

The book is available here.



Quotes from the book:

"Stu travelled to have her look at his casting, a twelve hour return drive for an one hour lesson. That meeting was a turning point and it led Stu on an adept journey from one teacher to another."

"Then - ah, shit! he said, lowering his weapon. What? He knows we are here! Has it spooked? I can still see him! Yeah, but he won't eat anymore. How do you know? See his dorsal fin?"

"Life had its own natural velocity, he told me and no amount of impatience, of rushing or pushing things along would change that. 
You couldn't rush a sunset or a hatch, you could only be there to witness and experience it in its own time."

"I drove around asking about him but no one, not even as it turned out, his closest neighbor could tell me who and where he was. I asked two men repairing an old Bedford truck, a rust bucket that looked freshly salvaged from a west coast swamp and they replied with blank stares: Evans. You know, the gold diver? I persisted? Ah, cave man! One of them lit up. Sure, we know cave man, he is in the house next door."

"The Trout Bohemia has priorities different from those of most other people, and often a different set of values, which can be at odds with those of society. By definition, Bohemianism is unconditional even be nonconformist and might even be seen as an escape from reality. If not a subscription of a different kind of reality altogether."


Saturday 20 July 2013

Carp Fly Fishing, Best Carp Flies, Carp Fly Fishing Books, Fly Fishing for Carp, Superior Carp Flies


 
Stu's Superior Flies - the full Stu's Superior Carp range will be available soon


IT IS MAGICAL

There is something absolutely magical about sight fishing. It is all about the visuals, watching the fishes' behavior as you try to tempt it with your hook covered in thread & feathers. "Come on fish "
"This  is the best tasting morsel you will ever eat."Trust me!"
More often than not you will get the famous carp rejection. It is this part of the game we play with nature, that I am sure that keeps us coming back. We Humans love the big R, I am sure.
The bonus part is when we do not get rejected and the fish moves gracefully towards your fly and inhales it. That fuzzy warm sensation comes over us and for some a heart attack is not far away.


sexy rubber lips!

                                           KISS OF DEATH

With carp fishing here in the USA on some of the gin clear waterways in which carp may be found, the visuals of this type of fishing are the draw card.
You will get rejected, humbled and once you have experienced it, you will keep coming back. Because when you get your fly accepted and engulfed by miss rubber lips, you will be converted. And you will dream about those rubber lips.

                     TIPS ON CATCHING THE LIPS OF DEATH


 
Stu's Deadly Gimp
Keep your rod tip low, strip strike and your new 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser will take off.
Very few carp take to the air when hooked, they just seem to go and go with amazingly strong thrust of their very powerful tails.
Like most fly fishing, you can use any rod and reel to catch carp. Though if you have a stiff fly rod with a fighting butt and a good drag on your reel, you will enjoy it even more so. A 6wgt is OK, though a heavier wgt rod will help you cast into wind and control the fish more easily. You will also be able to cast some heavy weight flies out with more ease.
Although it's great casting light flies out, I have found that in deeper water with carp that primarily feed on the bottom, you will need to use heavy flies at some point - to get down into the zone.

                              FOOL THE WARY BUGGERS
"come and eat me strip" - success!!


Carp feed by smell and sight mainly. If you have for example a carp moving along the bottom looking for food, you need to intercept the fish with your fly and make the fish see it. Do not cast on top of it.
Cast far enough in front of the fish and let your fly sink to the bottom. Be patient. Wait for the fish to be pretty much on top of the fly and then give it the "come and eat me strip."
Remember carp and most other fish do not like flies attacking them so always try to get your fly looking like it is trying to escape from the carp. This will trigger the predator instinct of the fish.

                                  THE TAKE- STRIP STRIKE



Dylan is doing some fancy yoga moves to get this one in.
You will see the carp dart towards your fly and slightly tip up upwards as it inhales your fly off the bottom. Strip strike and hopefully you are connected. If not - provided you have made a strip strike  and not a trough strike, your fly should be still in the zone and the fish may give chase and drill down on your fly again. Giving you another chance, normally I have found the second chance is your last chance.
Once you feel the fish, keep a tight line, adjust your drag settings quite high and hang on for a powerful fun fight.

                                        STRONG HOOKS


12lb-  20lb Fluorocarbon tippet and saltwater bone fish leader and flies tied on the best strongest hooks! are recommended. Knowing this will help you fish and fighting the fish with confidence. I like to push my gear to the limits when carp fishing and not exhaust the fish. Very rarely do I see my backing, though it is needed.
The few occasions I have seen my backing is when I have connected with a 15lb+ fish on a still water - when even with a lot of pressure on. The big ones you just can not stop.
I have a been a carp junkie for over 9 years, coming over to the States in my quest for my visual carp fishing fix.
Months at a time has been spent working out how to catch these awesome fish. This carp season I have managed to put the finishing touches to my go -to Superior Carp flies.
They all should be available through the web site by November 2013.
The  carp fly range will have bottom flies, mid column flies and surface flies - all especially designed for  fooling our rubber lipped wary carp friends.

All my flies are tied on the best strongest Tiemco hooks.
CARP BOOKS & DVDS


There are more and more resources available nowadays. Two of my favorite are books: Carp On The Fly and the latest one released in 2013 called Fly Fishing For Carp by Kirk Deeter.

Kirk Deeter & I @ ICAS Las Vegas - thanks for signing my copy.

A few DVDs have also been made, though I feel none are that special. One I do remember and it was an old one, showed carp all over the place in a lake,though they struggled to catch a few. That was great to view, though I do not think that's what they were trying to show.

                                       CARP FLY LINES

This year also sees two of the main fly line companies releasing carp fly lines. RIO was the first in 2012 and this year Cortland has also released a line. Both lines are floating and are capable of fishing over medium weighted flies.

                                          CARP GEAR

I have purchased two carp fly fishing t-shirts over the years from USA fly shops. Derek De Young - the fish artist from Livingston, Montana has now carp scale iPhone covers. Lots of USA guides and shop owners on their days  off prefer to go for a carp fish rather than trout.

                               INTRODUCED TROUT & CARP

An interesting point from the book Fly Fishing For Carp was the reminder that carp were introduced. To the USA from Europe at the same time as they introduced brown trout.
The two main species of carp I fish for are the common and the mirror carp. There are also grass carp which I hear  are even harder to catch as they feed on vegetation only. The mirror and common carp are very opportunistic and will feed on nymphs, minnows, crayfish and midge and hopper from the surface in some areas.
Give another species a try and you will find out why they are known as the fresh water bone fish and fresh water permit.
I hope this has helped some of you and got you twitching.
Remember to sign up for the newsletter, follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram (@stusflyshopnz) and support the passion.


Book your guiding trip for this year - the NZ Fly Fishing School is taking bookings now. November is nearly booked out, some days are available in October.
Cheers,
Stu

Monday 8 July 2013

SAGE NZ SOLD, FLORIDA TARPON, PERMIT, DUVALL STREET


       
It has always been a bit of a dream to go to Florida and fly fish for Tarpon. 
Why? Maybe it's just guiding so many people who have been there and recommended it, tempted fate. Also know it is not known as the easiest place in the world to catch a Tarpon - so for me that makes it even more of a challenge. Friends have been there over the years and in 10 - 14 days guided fly fishing 2 fish landed has been the norm, although many have also blanked. Many have hooked and jumped fish but never get them to the boat.


A very kind customer this year recommended that I  must go and experience the fishery and offered to help me out when I get there with his knowledge and use of his own flats boat.
Arriving in Key West and it was raining - soon dampens my thoughts a wee bit. Now my friend would also not be able to make it and my fishing plans were not going to be as smooth as I had hoped. Realizing that not having local knowledge and use of a flats boat it was time to scramble around and see to hire some guides. 
Most of the guides were booked out even though there is over 150 guides working on the Tarpon and Permit fishery with many more out of star guides - also coming working the area during the busy season May - June. But with some more great help, a few good guides were available for the odd day here and there.


Over the space of ten days most of the days guiding that I had managed to book were cancelled due to the rain, clouds and strong winds. This made me realize that no matter how the conditions can be in NZ, very rarely I need to cancel a guided trip as there is always a place to fish somewhere.
Down here not so, the ocean does not have many hiding places. In total, I got out 4 days. The first day out was a dream day - sun, no wind, no clouds. We staked out a clear white sand flat amongst turtle grass in a known tarpon migration channel. It was not too long before I got a glimpse of my first Tarpon. The size of a grown man with a mouth that could inhale a 40 inch pizza in one gulp!! Over 120lbs - Bear, my guide, estimated. Cast! Cast! he shouted, one o'clock, 60ft etc. 


I fumbled with excitement and did my best to get a cast out. The fly landed, I stripped it and the huge shape swam past. It was then when I realized now what happens if I hook such a thing!! I also realized that the tarpon were not actively feeding as such and you have to sort of force feed them your offering and make them remember to open their mouth and eat.
Over the next 3 days of tarpon guiding, I got 4 - or so  - fish to have a look at the fly and for me that was even awesome. It was just awesome to be there and experience the fishery and the stories of the guides and fly shops. Weather is weather and it is always a gamble. This time the unpredictable weather and the tarpon won. And yes, I would still love to return some day, so I best start saving as it's not the cheapest place to go in the world. The very last day we probably also should have cancelled but Rob, my guide, reckoned we should try the backcountry side of the peninsula for permit. Despite the rain we wrapped up and headed out and I was just so happy to be out the motel. 


After 4 hours of slowly poking along staring for fish in the overcast conditions, a forked tail of a permit broke the surface. I made the cast and Rob's secret shrimp fly descend into the path of the permit. A few twitches and a strip strike and all hell, let loose. After some strong blistering runs and a large knot in the fly line, it somehow managing to go through the eyes of the rod. The battle was nearly won until at the very last moment the permit got wrapped around a rock right beside the boat! Rob jumped in the water to free it but a second too late and the line cut clean on the rock. I was so near to landing my first permit and it was an amazing experience. Poor Rob had worked so hard to get me onto one, he was more upset than me so I had to comfort him with a shot of whiskey. I never knew a guide abusing fish tht much than Rob!

The next day in the local fly shop I realized how lucky I was as 4 weeks previous the world famous March Merkin Permit Competition had been held. 30 of the best permit fishermen and guides from all over the world descending. After 3 days of hard fishing (which equals to 90 actual fishing days), only one permit was landed that won the competition. 


So now it's time to leave the saltwater, wind and rain behind and head for summer in West America with my tent and my quest for the freshwater permit - yes, the carp! 
In my first week of camping Idaho, it was freezing one night and the dew on my sleeping bag as I slept under the stars, turned to ice. I even slept with my rain jacket on to keep warm.

SAGE NZ SOLD (GUIDE QUALITY LTD)

After many great years Don Fraser has sold his company to Tore Nilsen, ex Manic Tackle. Thanks heaps Don, for all your great work with SAGE and RIO.

The shop will be re open in the first week of August. So please wait until then with your orders. Sign up for the newsletter and also follow us on Facebook or Instagram (stusflyshopnz). Keep sending all your great fish photos and comments, it is all very much appreciated.
Cheers,
Stu