 Demanding New Zealand conditions require anglers to be well equipped with the necessary hardware and clothing. Preparation for our unique style of fishing starts the moment you step out of bed, as what you wear will have a significant impact on your success! In summer, we usually wear;  | Hat - preferably wide brimmed (e.g. Stetson-styled) which should be of a dull colour - this is 1st thing that the trout see as you are approaching! Broad-brimmed because; it protects you from sunburn, an important issue as NZ has very high rates of skin cancer - due to the clear skies and the hole in the ozone layer. it keeps the direct sun off your Polaroid glasses, reducing glare and improving visibility on windy days, it prevents bead-head nymphs embedding themselves in your ears, or the back of your head or neck!
|  | Polaroid sunglasses - bring a top grade pair! Most popular colours are yellow or amber in our region, these improve contrast on dull days. Dark green or brown make life difficult on rainy days. Those with side panels give you an additional advantage, preventing light entering from the sides. | 
| Shirt - a warm fishing shirt, generally a heavy-duty polar-fleece - dull colours are essential! Long sleeves can make a difference also - when casting to a fish in clear water, rolling down your sleeves helps prevents the white 'flash" of your under-arm spooking the fish.... | 
| T-shirt or Singlet - polypropylene, micro-fleece | 
| Pants: either hi-tech polyester outdoor track-pants/trousers, or shorts over polypropylene long-johns. We prefer to wade wet through summer because water temperatures are mild and waders are hot and uncomfortable on long hikes. Goal with pants is something that dries quickly when wading wet. | | | | 
| Boots - Sturdy wading or hiking boots, because the terrain is rugged, and we often cover quite long distances. | 
| Jacket - a 100% waterproof jacket - dull colours, that you can slip in your backpack in case of unexpected wind/rain. Mountain weather changes rapidly. | | | Sun-block! Our summer sun is ruthless and severe on unprotected skin! That doubles on the boat, with the reflected rays adding to its effect. NZ & Australia have the highest rates of skin cancer in the world! Bring SPF30+ sun-block, water-resistant. | | Insect Repellent: We have sand-flies.... they are little black bastards that bite without mercy on dull, overcast days prior to rain. Most people will end up with an itchy welt like a mosquito bite. A repellent with about 25%+ Deet content is a good start.... Buy an aerosol, not a cream, to prevent getting repellent on your fingers - Deet destroys leader and tippet in a heartbeat... | 
| Rods - a 9ft rod, of either #5 or #6 weight, is the best choice for our conditions. All the rods we use for guiding are rated 5/6 weight, and are loaded with 6# weight-forward floating lines. My personal rods that get the most use are both 6 weights... a fast action 3-piece and a softer 4-piece. | 
| Reels -a matt black reel is preferred, not a shiny chromed one which will send reflections off like a mirror and alert fish for 100 yards in all directions. Basically, you want a reel that has plenty of capacity for extra backing, zero start-up drag, and is impervious to a dunking in the creek e.g. the drag is sealed and remains completely unaffected by water. There are many brands that deliver on that, and a lot that don't... | | | Leaders - 9ft, 3x or 4x plus a good supply of 3x & 4x tippet material. Fluorcarbon is fine, but should be matched to fluorocarbon leaders to reduce the chance of the tippet cutting thru the leader. | | Lines - weight-forward floating lines which are weighted to match your rod. Colour should be a dull olive, grey or green to reduce the chance of it being seen in the air. Fluorescent orange or green, or the shiny new "clear" lines are not the best choice.... |  | Flies - if you tie your own, these are favoured local flies. Dry - #10-12 Royal Wullf, orange Stimulator, red Humpy, P.Adams, Elk Hair Caddis Nymphs - #14-16 Hare & Copper or PT bead-heads, or variations with flashback, Horned Caddis etc Streamers - #10 Olive Woolly Bugger with bead or cone head variations, plus a little pearl Flashabou
Alternatively, we have good stocks of flies available for sale. | 
| Accessories - wear a matte black watch, not a stainless steel one. Likewise for forceps and zingers. The more you can do to not attract attention, the better it will all go. |
NB: Colours - it is essential that all clothing is in subdued colours, preferably olive, sage, or camouflage. Because of the water clarity, fish can often spot you from 50+ yards, so everything you do to reduce your visibility will aid in your success. Background is usually bush, scrub and/or mountains, and you must do your best to blend in. Just as for angling in the UK or US, either dull olive green, or woodland camouflage colours are most suitable for stalking wary trout in clear mountain streams. For examples of fine clothing designed for NZ conditions, have a look at; www.huntech.co.nz and www.stoneycreekshop.co.nz Visiting anglers never cease to be amazed at how alert our trout are to the slightest danger. I am constantly amused at the shocked expression on the faces of overseas clients who, having spotted a big trout, fail to exercise the necessary caution. The trout sees them from 50-60 yards, and suddenly "dematerialises," leaving the river empty of life.... "Guide to NZ Fishing" Menu - - - - - - - - - - - - - | |
