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
-
- -
-
- -
- -
-
-
-
-
-
|
|
