Red Hot Killer nymphs, fly casting lessons, Mataura river dirty,New fly designs coming!

One day late!!
Sorry- flat stick here guys and i may have to start doing this blog once every two weeks! so not to disappoint you and keep you all amused :)

In two days time without any rain it may be clear enough

Mataura river
Yes the might Mataura river has blown out again and nearly every other  river and stream in Southland and other areas due to some big 24hr rains we got at the weekend.
I was lucky to be out guiding two lovely Scottish guys on Sunday and we managed to get 10 fish to eat the flies and landed 5 of them. They also managed to get plenty tangles- but where quick to remind me they are called  Fankles in Scotland- But i,m sure i never got any of them things when i was fishing in Scotland!! :)

From the car window on my morning river check

Interesting though they had fished by themselves the first day of arriving and caught nothing but spotted heaps.
After guiding them  on a southland river i found out the next day in the shop that another group of anglers , that i had guided before on the same river and had success,were just above where we were fishing and had got skunked.
So that goes to show for me and anybody else that guides and has used guides in the past, what the actual guide must do when he is out there assisting other fishermen, which is sometimes well overlooked by some clients, until they go out alone!!
I always say to my clients its not about catching fish with me - its about all of us learning from each other and becoming more efficient at our fishing/guiding and having fun out there doing it! :)

Hot Red Killer Nymphs On Fire

Red Hot Killers the go to fly!

So what flies were the go for my clients recently- Well it was the Hot red Killer nymphs nearly every time ,with a couple of nice browns also falling for the NZ creeper pattern.
Maybe the hot red killers were working ,due to the floods and the amount of earth worms that may have been washed down!! But hey at the end who cares! ,because the fish have been nailing them ,big time. The smaller sizes in the riffles and the larger sizes in the deeper pools and runs, seems to be the norm.

 FISHPOND, ROD AND REEL CASE!
I just also got some more Fishpond gear in and i can  recommend the Dakota rod and reel  case , to you all.
 It is  great to store all your gear in and is well made and sexy to boot!

 If you have more than one rod and reel and are feed up searching for all your gear - this is the awnser- i have been using my one for nearly two years and its magic- Xmas is coming to be quick i at the moment have limited stock!

DUTY AND CUSTOMS
Customs seem to be stopping every package being brought into NZ and demanding duty and clearance fees, which does not help trying to keep all my prices as low as i can.
Last week they stopped two of my orders which has delayed my Connect dvd orders going out, but any day now they should arrive, so if you wish one of the best new DVDS , order it now.

The fishpond Wasatch Top selling vest/pack in stock

 A SUCCESSFUL DAY

Today i spent most of the day running a fly fishing school for a client, He was a very quick learner so at the end of the day we went out for a fish and we managed to land a nice Mataura brown from the edge of a pool in clear water. Which was awesome for Peter and myself.
Tomorrow we are out all day in pursuit of things with fins and its looking like Mavora lakes sort of direction ,in search of clear water. Best i get some small water boatmen in my box for some lake edge stalking!! and then straight to bed. :)

You all have a great week and thanks again for your orders and comments! Awesome!
Cheers
Stu

Oreti river,Huge Mayfly Dvd, Brown beetles hatch in New Zealand, Stu's Bionic brown Beetle

 MAINLY BROWNS IN SOUTHLAND
At the moment the shop is still very quite , but a few more fishermen mainly from Australia are starting to pop in .

Get your brown beetles ready- Check out Stu's Beetles!!

A few guides from other areas have been on tour with  a few fishermen ,who have stopped in for some flies mainly, have been getting a few nice browns in the 4lb range. they mainly are after. Rainbows seem to always be second choice down this way.

 THE RIVER CONDITIONS
The river in the area at the moment because of the rain and hot sunny days have a little color too them mainly from the snow melt and unless the fish are out on the sides feeding spotting them can be difficult. So its best to sometimes using a double nymph rig and indicator to fish all the likely looking water.

The Big fence goes up to stop tourists walking into my house!

 THE UPPER ORETI- TRAFFIC JAM
I just had a good friend stay with me from overseas who went to the upper Oreti yesterday on all the access points there was cars, he spoke to a few fishermen gearing up ,who were mainly from Australia who said they were also struggling to find a spot to fish. He then went to the very last access and there was 4 cars and no notes on them -or cards in the windows. He decided to fish up stream for a while and then got back to his vehicle and met two other vehicles pulling up with fishermen moaning that it was full of fishermen- Well i said to him it was Sunday and good weather and it was the Oreti  !!!

 BLISTERED HANDS WHAT A WHIMP!

A bit of raking and grass seed to sow

Its been slightly chaotic at the moment with getting the grounds done , but in a way i,m nearly there, with some huge days well into the dark ,with blistered rake hands. The fences are up gates re-hung and gravel is down though. The grass seed i have also just sown  and now i just hope the birds do not descend and gobble it all up. The good thing though is the weather hot days with the odd rainy day which is good for growing grass.

 A STRANGE THING IN ATHOL
A strange thing happens in my small town every year for a few weeks a  travel and chain of shops in Australia called !!!!! (had to take the name off- due to ?? ) . Brings groups of people over on fishing trips to a campground in town ,just behind my shop.
They -yes grown men are told not to come into my shop ,because basically i will not sell there not so good own branded products ,due to it all falling a part and me complain about it to the owner, years ago.

So they proceed to drive up beside my shop and in front and i see them at the local cafe and they just turn away,  Being me i am over nice, wave and say hello!
Its hard top believe people can behave like this on holiday and be told to do so.!!!
But the odd time there is one or two of the group sneak away from the owner and come in and have the crack and a wee shop- and as usual they will be back , to NZ on their own! So there are real men out there!! :)

 BROWN BEETLES DESEND ONTO THE WATERWAYS!
In the Twizel , Wanaka, Queenstown and Southland areas the brown beetles have been gradually hatching at night .
One  clients of mine who catches and cooks the odd fish in the Queenstown area was telling me last week that the two fish he kept for the smoker from some small lakes were full of brown beetles, one he counted over 60 in the stomach.

Years of study goes into my designs!!

So get those beetles on in the evening and early morning - Cast them to sighted fish or tie them on a very short piece of tippet too a visible dry fly and cast it out to the drop off and wait!!
The other night one banged off my window , so i did a wee photo shoot , To show you the triggers that i have but into my fly design of, size silhouette , legs and color all the ingredients and study to create the perfect wee brown beetle.

So best you purchase some from me :), as they are exclusive only to Stu's Fly shop- Support the designer and the passion! and catch more fish !
Thank, you all, for your great comments and feedback.
Have a great week.
Cheers
Stu

New Casting arena at Stu's Fly shop, Musky country the dvd,The rainbow rivers open, Sage Z-axis fly rod

 MUSKY COUNTRY DVD

When i was in the states  this year ,I was guided by some lovely passionate guys who chase the Musky!! with flies.(YES-I even hire guides-so much to learn from the best ones)

They have made this Musky fly fishing dvd with a very good film maker and producer ,which i now have in stock.(i,m interested to see what this guy does next!)

So ok its not trout fishing- but hey! some of the best dvds i have watched have not been about trout- plus you can always learn something watching how others fish for different species and if you want to see how the experts fish HUGE streamers ,then look no further. I stayed with these guys and never got to watch the dvd until after i left them and the amazing thing for me was how they talk about the musky and how they,guide and live is exactly the same as in the dvd. These guys are so dedicated. 

It is also one of the best produced films i have seen.

I,m pretty sure after watching the film you will be wanting to visit Musky Country!!

This is a great video to have in your collection -

A great dvd- worth watching

NOVEMBER SNOW

2 days of cold weather 1-2nd of november

The 1st of November- was the first day that all the rivers flowing into the lakes basically opened. Now all the river systems around are open and the choices are now some 30+ river systems for me to guide my clients on . 
Next week i start more so with my guiding, but i do notice with my bookings most of my clients are from New Zealand now days and  have hired me to up-skill, which is very rewarding for me working with clients who want to learn and no doubt i will learn as well!


 STU'S GOLD BEAD NZ MAY FLY NYMPHS - TAKE LARGE NUMBERS OF TROUT!

 Stu's wee NZ tungsten Mayfly nymphs- Grey and also brown

A few of the Southland guides have started to get busy and have been hitting the rainbow rivers, and having some great days 10-18 fish days , They have been having success with my wee NZ tungsten gold bead mayfly nymphs.
I had to open my shop yesterday especially early for one guide ,who  was desperate for some as he had run out and had two clients in his car waiting for him as he bought up nearly all my gold bead nz mayfly nymphs- Funny how some people think you cant catch trout with gold beaded nymphs- at this time of year they seem to take them with aggression. 




Z- AXIS - IN MY GARDEN

I still have 2x z-axis 5 wgts for sale- at special low prices!

Sage- Z-axis in my garden- Funny how everything i seem to do or touch is to do with fishing- even this machine made me laugh when i spotted its name.

As you  can see- My new shops casting pond for you all!!!

 For over 5 yrs  i have been gradually improving the shop and the shop grounds . Some people think i just jump in feet first, but i actually had the visions of what i,m doing some 5 years ago- but like all good things ,it all takes time and money.

Maintenance free , grounds is what i really want, as i do not have the time to be doing gardening and pruning trees- So out with all the trees and off with the grass and down with the Gravel.

At the moment its not the best thing for me as i have a full load of work, but it looks like with the help of  some others i,ll be raking , picking up stones and sowing grass seed on the newly leveled  back section, Which will be great for casting ,when its finished- I was going to put in a casting pond- But that would be more maintenance and i have the Mataura river right on my door step.

So if your passing bring your rake! :)

ALL THE BEST

I just heard that i lovely lower Matarua guide , was rushed to hospital and had a pretty big operation. No doubt ,David you will pull through , you tough bugger! I wish you all the best with your recovery and no doubt see you back in action out on the river ,you love the most- The Lower Matarua - is calling!:)

Thank you all for your feed back and comments on my fly designs - and photos  . Sign up for the news letter!!! asap! i,m doing a t-shirt special with orders this week- watch for your Stu,s special email coming this week!

Cheers

Stu

Martin Simpson nz artist, Matarua river- news paper,Snow coming, dvd,The underwater world of Trout

SIGN UP FOR THE NEW NOVEMBER NEWS LETTER & SPECIAL OFFERS ASAP! If you are reading this and have not signed up for my monthly news letter and special offers- Please do ASAP as i,m about to also send out the new November Stu's News Letter out- That should make you smile :) To sign up just visit the front page of the web site and add your email- its that easy!!

Pre-order your copy, of Connect Now!! get it first!

The rivers at last are dropping and all starting to clear as of today, so there should be some awesome fishing to be had on every southland river system.
Last week there was basically no fishermen around and customers, due to  the  wee storm and with all the discolored river systems, nobody could fish!. 
So providing the weather holds and there is no rain all should be good this week, mind you having just checked the weather for this week- rain and snow is forecast for mid week ,so it could result in the water levels rising again! So check before you head out.


2-3lb fish not good enough!!
I had some local anglers come through the shop yesterday , who did not seem to happy with all the fish they caught and they had caught some nice 2-3lb fish- but they just wanted bigger!!, funny how some people are fish hungry and do not realise a 2-3lb wild brown is still a big fish and others just love being out there - and do not really care if the catch a fish and if they do they do not care which size it is. , Catching a fish is a bonus! (that would be my category)

The browns are in top condition! -providing you catch one!

A few of the busy Queenstown guides were scrambling for clear water last week and having no choice but to drive over 3+ hrs return to Qtn they all stopped into the shop on the way past for a break and to get some flies and have a wee laugh and joke.- Mainly all small tungsten NZ brown mayfly nymphs , i noticed ! they purchased for the small  Southland streams they were heading for. 

They all had some awesome lovely clients  with them ,who were all having fun, most of them were from South Africa and mainly had come for the rugby, so good to see that they were enjoying NZ to the full and getting out there despite the conditions and giving it a good crack! I get the feeling there was more fish seen ,lost  than caught! But hey that's fishing!!


Martin Simpson- YES the best fish artist in the world is a KIWI !!

Roy my client's Awesome 11lb+ brown ,painting

Last year for my clients was pretty much a big fish year and Roy one of my clients decided to get Martin to paint his trout of a life time. 
We took over 30 photos of the fish and measurements of it and the surroundings it was caught in  and released it unharmed.
 Armed with as much information as possible Martin over 4 months created a life size painting of Roy's Trophy trout. Every detail of the fish is 100% and the rod under the water with the Sage serial number is so precise- its pretty mind blowing ! . 
I showed this photo of the painting to two different people - who all thought it was a photo!! That has surely got to be the ultimate complement of Martin ,just amazing work. 
Check out Martin Simpson and some of the great work he does at his web site - www.martinsimpson.co.nz
If you want something to remember for the rest of your life or a loved one- look no further than Martin. The more photos, details and measurements etc you can give him , just like any artist the better !.




NEWS PAPER -ABOUT TO DO ARTICLE- On the Mataura River

Yesterday I sent quite a while with a reporter of the Southland times news paper about overseas tourist fishermen, Water quality etc. So Hopefully this week there will be a good feature about The Matarua river and water quality etc this week . Its hopefully doing to be a big article raising awareness of this special water way and what lies ahead in the future!!!


THE UNDER WATER WORLD OF TROUT- VOL -3

You will be surprised what you will learn

There is a great series of dvd done by this old guy from the states , that at first you may not think they are your cup of tea!! The camera work compared to some of the new dvds is not the flashest. BUT he nails it with every dvd hes produced,  for me he lets you go insider the trout world and he takes you on a different journey each time with each dvd in getting you to think like a trout.

This DVD will be of more interest to kiwi fishers as we sight fish for fish and stalk them , you will learn in this new dvd what the trout will and can and can not see from below the surface- after watching it when you stalk any fish again - i bet you change your game plan a little!!

A great learning dvd.

KEEP THE COMMENTS & PHOTOS FLOODING IN!!

Please keep the comments coming in about my Superior flies and let any of you forum friends or facebook friends know all about my work and fly designs, It is and would be very much appreciated.

 Thank you all for your support-Keep Smiling even if your not out doing it- like me in the office ! :)

Cheers

Stu

Stu's NEW Saltwater flies,Storm in Athol, Deadly Hooks, Dylan hooks a few small trout,

THE FISHING

At the moment there are not many anglers around, most the the ones i know will start to visit NZ in November and onwards. So i have not too much big and little fish gossip. Oh i did see a photo of a nice Oreti big brown and it was in cracking condition it was caught on one of my big heavy NZ mayfly bombs in a deep pool . 

A few 4-5lb trout caught in spring creeks by a   Queenstown guides client which is great that he managed to pull it off and find some clear water the other day.(no i,m not telling you where he was).

Also the guide caught stealing sausages has posted them back to me! so all is forgiven. :)

STORM HITS ATHOL- HAVE I PAID MY INSURANCE!!

As i write this the power has just gone out in the house and i have been rushing around in the garden trying to put anything that can get blown to Australia in to the shed. 

I have even had to chase a few of my signs around the garden as the wind has ripped some off the fence- it must be blowing through Athol at well over 150klm when it gets going, Looking at the sky it looks like a big storm is working its way inland. In fact its trying to rip the roof off my house and its kind of scary!  I,m know thinking - have i paid my house and shop insurance!

WAIAU - SKINNY RAINBOWS

A few reports of some of the rainbow rivers that are open are that there are plenty of fish to be caught ,but they are still quite spent (skinny) after spawning. It usually takes until mid December before these rainbows start to put on weight .

 TRY A MOUSE LURE 

A few people have been telling me that they have already started to see green manuka beetles in the fiordland area. 

No reports on plagues of mice, but some of the local spin guys have been catching big trout in the evening further south. These guys fish every year with big floating mice and get results, even when there in no real mouse plague. So its always worth an evening fish ,if you want to catch the daddy!

RIVERS HIGH AND DIRTY

The Mataura river and many other rivers in the area are just starting to clear after the two days of heavy rain last week, that turned every piece of water around into brown soup. But what that does mean is that nobody has been able to fish most of the river systems for the past week and when they stat clearing the fish will all be active. This is when you can use larger sized nymphs so that the fish can see your offering easier. I like using double nymph rigs with a NZ mayfly bomb and a size 14 pogo or king pogo as the trailing nymph.

MORE NEW NEWS

Since i started to write this Blog- last night in the storm the rains came and now this afternoon they are here again- and YES the rivers are rising and are coffee in color- If you are a traveling fisherman or lady- find some lakes!

STU'S SUPERIOR SALTWATER FLIES ON THE MEANEST HOOKS ! NOW AVAILABLE

These are Serious flies for serious fish! check the hooks!!

 Now available online are some  my new range of salt water flies - Stu,s Crystal bait fish - in size 1/0 - 3/0 - 6/0  Yes these are serious flies and on Serious Tiemco super strong Black nickel hooks. 

The smaller sizes will be great for estuary sea run fish ,kawhai  and Tuna etc, The next size up the 3/0 will become a favorite for Snapper and the bigger 6/0 will be for the guys who like catching Big strong fish like King fish etc..

All  of these saltwater bait fish designs will also  be good for people who like to jig flies for blue cod etc.

SCOUNDRELS

Please note that there are a few people claiming to sell my flies and my Superior brand! Do not be fooled by these scoundrels ,they just want to rip you off as well as my hard work!!- do not trust them! well you can if you want too!!

Big wild NZ brown trout- Dylan a man on a mission!!

Dylan- nails a bunch of  little  NZ Brown trout using Stu's Superior Flies- He knows the importance of good  fly designs and hooks!! mind you sometimes i think he uses bait- or he is just a good fly fisher!!

Thanks for Your Support.

Cheers

Stu

Women in waders, 20+ fish, Mayfly hatch,fishing guides,hi-viz orange flyline

 In case you are wondering what happened to all the Blogs ! Some how i have managed to lose all the past blogs and present ones- so here i am starting again! - not a happy camper it would be an understatement on how i feel at the moment! But as they say nobody died!

Just arrived!-WOMEN IN WADERS-great photos of fish!

Yes- the new Women in waders 2012 calendar has arrived, to brighten up your days a great gift  for some one and with Xmas not far away and limited stock you best order yours today! I have also some great specials on Simms waders on line, as i need to move stock- 

Local Fly fisher has to stop his arm was getting Sore!!

Having the shop , helps me know first hand on whats going on with the fisheries ans many people come through and ,i hear allot of good things.

Like the lovely local customer who came in the other day!

- The first day of the new season he went out to his favorite big riffle and could not locate any fish all day.

-3 days later he went back to the same riffle and there was a large hatch of big Mayflies,He landed over 20 fish in a short space of time on dries. He also gave up pretty early on in the day as his arm was getting a bit sore and it was getting to easy!! 

This goes to show it can all be a timing thing! and as for the sore arm pulling in fish rapidly- well in a way we would all like that! complaint.

AH! is this a fly rod! - said the Guides! :)

THE NZPFGA  - ATHOL- FLY FISHING GUIDES MEETING!

All the top guides from around the area arrived at the shop the other day and we converted my living room into a very comfortable meeting place.

- We discussed our new health and safety plans and special concession to be able to guide in certain areas. Its all these things that cost allot of money and time to get and have in place, and its things like this that many clients do not see all these hidden extra costs.

Dean eyeing up the best piece of meat!

- Also on discussion was carrying locator beacons when guiding, which most members do already for the safety of there clients.

At the end ,they left me with no meat -only enough salad to feed 100 rabbits

- Submissions for the overseas anglers license ! - This is something that when i go to another country and pay more than locals i do not mind - as the locals pay taxes and look after the fisheries and i,m only there for a short time. At the moment in NZ overseas anglers pay the same as locals. If they did introduce the over seas license - providing the regions most affected by more anglers , received the extra funds , it would hopefully give Fish and Game more much need tools to help look after the Awesome fishery that we have here in NZ

- There was heaps more progress made with lots of other subjects - (like the new residents guides license , which may put an end to overseas guides guiding in NZ !!

After the meeting the guides descended into the shop and bought up large my flies  and then were out on the casting area playing with the NEW SAGE ONE ROD!. 

WANAKA GUIDES CAUGHT STEALING

12 sausages!!- Only 10 remain!!

Though one of the guides Ian from Wanaka was caught shoplifting again in my shop!! and was duly told to leave the premises  I wished i had of checked his car !- as we all think he had also stolen two sausages from the awesome barbecue all the honest guides helped prepare.One of the Sausages we believe ,may have been for his side kick Twizel Steve!!

CASTING WITH LOCALS & TOURISTS- REWARDING!

I have managed to pick up the odd day and half day guiding and a few casting lesson , which all help keep the shop going for these quite months. Most people i have guided have used me to help them up-skill and understand the NZ southland fishery. Its so rewarding for me when they contact me a few days later to let me know their success rate and the fun they are having with their newly learned skills.

Some of the casting /teaching gear i sell

The few casting lesson i have been conducting has been a mix of locals and tourists, one couple did not even know what a fly was at the start of a casting lesson and to watch them understand what they where trying to achieve  and doing the basic overhead cast was a pleasure to watch within a couple of hours, they said it was one of there NZ high lights- way better than jet boating in Queenstown, they said.

NEW HI_VIZ QUALITY HI_VIZ ORANGE FLY LINE!

Also just in is the great new wgt forward(long belly) floating hi- viz orange fly line that is great for practicing your casting with or fishing with and they are pretty cheap for a Canadian made top product- yes wow- something not made in China!




Thanks for your support.
Cheers
Stu