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