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

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

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."

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

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

NZ Big Brown Trout, NZ Mayfly Nymphs, Guided Mataura River Fly Fishing April, Guided NZ Fly Fishing Story

 Bjoern from Switzerfland - another happy client with a cracking wee troot! (that's scottish) mind you never mind the troot, check the sexy cap out!

 LIVING & WORKING ON THE MATAURA RIVER 

Hello! It has been a busy April with lots of great stuff going on and creative work getting done.

The guiding has been just awesome this April with some returning clients arriving back - yet again - this season for an April fix. None of them were disappointed and the trout were behaving and in top condition.
Most mornings the nymphs were working and come mid afternoon the majority of trout were taken on dries. 

The last newsletter for a while has just been finished and will be sent out early next week to all of you that are signed up. If you have not signed up and wish to receive one of the best little newsletters around, please click here - it's easy and quick to do. CLICK HERE.

I'm not sure what is going on here with my two clients - they tell me there is a  fish between the legs on a bid for freedom before a photo can be taken.

LAST ORDERS

Yes - it's that time of the season again. The shop is about to close for winter and re-open in early Sept. So best to make any orders now before it's too late, the physical shop is pretty much nearly closed (due to no customers/winter) but the online shop is open until around May, 20th - which is not long so best get your flies and gear soon.
I can not thank you all enough this season for again your great support.

 Client comment
Fishing with Stu has been amazing. He makes your fishing dreams come true.I dream of shapes in deep pools, I dream of red spots,I dream of returning to Stus world famous  fly shop and services.
Pier- NZ 

GUIDING / Casting Lessons / NZ Fly Fishing School - FOR NEXT SEASON

Dates are filling up for next season. Please contact me asap to secure any dates - Oct & Nov are nearly full with only a few dates left. 

NZ TUNGSTEN MAY FLY DOES IT AGAIN  - CLICK HERE

A WEE STORY - BUTTERFINGERS 1 & 2 

After a day guiding two lovely gents from a big Sydney fishing club, I got up early at 4 am the next morning and quickly typed this wee story before I forgot. It got printed in the clubs newsletter with Butterfingers 1 & 2 not knowing until they read it. It brought a few smiles to the club members and I hope it does the same for anyone else reading it.

APRIL COLORS!

The guiding had been flat stick for the past two months after the annual ten days of guiding with Gerry. My fly box needed a few must-have flies replaced for the following days of guiding, especially my floating Willow Grub design.

There was none left in the shop after huge demand for the design during the summer months so I had no choice but to get in front vise late on a Friday night and tie up a few dozen. As I knew the weather might just hold out and the wee grubs would still be dropping from the willow trees and just maybe I had clients that will want to join the Grub Club.

A funky wee black van pulled up beside my Landcruiser early on sat morning and as I walked across to meet my two clients for the day my guiding brain kicked in. 

1 - The cool funky black van- they must be a couple of young dudes 

2 - The size of the small van - they must be very friendly with each other if they are sleeping in it as it's so small.

3 - I wonder how experienced they are?

4 - I wonder if they have fished in the South Island before and especially this area - Southland. Known to Humble the best!

5 - Can they cast good and accurate enough to fool these wary browns?

This and 10,000 other thoughts of what the day will bring raced  through my  guiding mind.

Then the I heard the creak of the doors opening!

Chink! The sound of glass hit the gravel beneath the door and a wrinkled sun bleached fishing hand reached down and rescued the half drunk bottle of a liter of whiskey, a freddo frog chocolate foil blew also out the from the drivers side which was also quickly retrieved by sun bleached hand.

The creak of bones and the sighs of relief to get out the van drowned out the local singing bird population. Then two neatly dressed fly fishing fashion police stood in front of me with their hands out stretched with huge smiles of "we are going fishing" across their faces - "Yes, you have got us two for the day Stu."

"Hi, I'm Butterfingers one!" "I'm Butterfingers two! "Oh no" I thought to myself and introduced myself as Stu!

Great! Two very passionate fly fishers for the day and after a little guide interrogation as we loaded up my truck, deciding they  could cast and since they were going to be in the area for over a week I quickly decided what would be best for my two new friends.

The day would be best spent with me knocking off a few of their cob webs and getting them ready for the days of fun that lay ahead for them both when they would both be out slaying the Southland wary brown trout.

A short drive was all that was needed to a spot on the Mataura that had not been fished for over a week. The upper Mataura is known for being the most humbling river in the world by many experienced fishermen.

It is a great place for me to work with clients on the skills that would be needed for success here in NZ. The visuals are great and even if fish are not caught you can normally at least see some trout and get your blood boiling.

A normal day guiding an experienced client say on the upper Mataura would be six chances in the day, that's six fish eaten your fly, then you had better convert the chances . If you do not get it 100% all right it will not happen.

Over the past 11 years guiding the upper Mataura one of the 30 river system's I guide on in my area. The most trout that have been fooled on the upper whilst guiding have been seventeen in one day. This has normally been when the river has been rising, the fish all come out from the banks, drop their guard, the water is not so clear, and start to feed.

Today the river was low, clear and the sun was hopefully going to come out later to aid our trout spotting. We arrived at the selected spot and straight away we could see trout feeding. It looked like a few trout would make it to the net today!

B1 and B2 quickly spooked the first few trout and after a few casts managed to start relaxing without the need of a wee nip of Talisker. 

Though now thinking back on this fateful day they both put me through, it may of helped relax them both.

The next pool we had five nice fish over three pounds each sitting just beneath the foam line sipping their breakfast. Seeing these large trout B1 and B2 started to get very twitchy and excited.

A UTE pulled up and the local land owner came over to have a chat with us and decided to stay and watch these two professionals from Lake side fishing club in action.

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Both were oblivious to the farmer as they were both transfixed by the noses of the browns breaking the surface amongst the willow leaves floating down the feed lane.

Within 20 mins 3 of the large browns were fooled by a small foam Deadly NZ Blowfly and none were landed. Slack in the system, too slow and too soon were the reasons for no hook ups. We mentioned to them both to try and help them, if they got any more chances over the day.

Hamish - the farmer had a wee chuckle to himself and patted me on the back and whispered in my ear: "looks like you have a hard day ahead with these two pro's."

The rest of the day was spent losing fly after fly and fish after fish, the day was on fire and all the fish were out feeding and hardly a minute went past when we were not casting to sighted fish. 

As the day went on my jaws were begging to ache as we joked and laughed the day away despite me tearing my hair out. Nearing the end of the day, realizing that why had I even bothered to bring my landing net with me as it was extra weight to carry. At lunch time it was also mentioned that maybe I will have to go back to the shop and re-stock on flies and put the net back in the car! 

If only the guys had of told me that they both specialize in LDR (long distance release) and SDR (short distance release). The net should have been left at home.

I should have also left the lunches back home as well as every now and then I would see willow tree branches moving as they both seemed to be grazing like giant pandas on the tasty willow tree leaves, or we're they just retrieving their flies?

In total fifteen wary browns had been fooled and none landed by B1 and  B2 and they will now have to wait another year to join the grub club. 34 flies were lost to trees, grass and fish and it looks like tonight I'm back in front of the vice. 

The Lord can only be thanked that they never brought their other good club member Butterfingers 3 with them.

Though if he is as much fun and passionate as B1 and B2 about fly fishing in a nice strange fly fishing way - I'm looking forward to it :)

Stu Tripney -  "Inspired by nature & driven by passion"

This is the fish between the legs - worth the effort of having your friend near your rear end (first photo) to stop it escaping! Another happy client with the first fish of the day.

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Thank you all for your awesome support - remember you do not get the passion from the big shops, they just want your dosh!

Cheers, 

Stu