Winter Monsters!
We’re lucky around here to have an abundance of winter fishing opportunities. There are 3 large rivers and lots of lakes in the vicinity. All are open to the angler willing to brave the elements (which usually aren’t that bad) and take it on. I haven’t been out this winter as much as I have in recent winters, with my new role as a father taking priority. I’m loving that, even if it does cut into my fishing time! Soon enough she’ll come with me.
I’ve had 4 days floating down local rivers recently. The most fun thing about the pontoon boat is that it needs 2 people to float properly, so somebody has to join me. It’s usually not too hard to find a fishing buddy. After a busy guiding season its the perfect way to catch up with the lads. Whether we catch fish or not, floating down the river is great way to spend a day and have the craic.
The most exciting prospect in Otago winter fishing is the chance of a big fish. Some very large rainbows and browns migrate all these rivers every winter. A rainbow over 6lbs is a super trout and they’re the ones I’m after. I recently broke my rainbow record with a 9lber. A tank of a trout about a foot in girth which accelerated after my fly as I was lifting to recast. Sometimes when my brain has told my arm to recast, I cant stop the rod in time when I see a last moment chase from a trout. This time I managed to stop with the rod at about 45 degrees. The trout engulfed the fly and I struck from 45 to beyond 90 to set the hook! Such close quarter, chaotic, last second, visual fishing really gets the heart pumping. Much of the fight was close to me but I had to apply the pain when the fish ran towards some reeds. I turned him just as Tom was there with the net. An 8wt and strong tippet was a big advantage. What a moment! I was awestruck!
Another fish worth a mention was on a float trip with my good friend, Chris Dore. Chris had walked upstream to swing an edge while I worked a deep drop-off. This is a spot that I’ve had great success at over the last few years. It’s all about getting the fly deep. I don’t use a sinking line because its not very versatile for the multitude of water I cover in a day and I don’t want multiple rods on the boat. I use a very heavy fly on a 16 – 17 foot leader and try to get it deep. when I think its deep enough I let it sink some more. lots of stack mending or whatever it takes to get the fly deep. paying line off the reel is a good one now and again. When I’m where I want to be I stop the line and let the current take up the slack. A very slow retrieve from the depth is best. Takes can be savage or very gentle. This one was gentle. A faint tap, followed by 2 more faint taps at which time I strip struck into a heavy head shake. A magic moment again! I live for this. I knew it was a big fish. Heavy gear to shorten the battle once again paid dividends. If these fish get into the main flow it could be game over so I don’t feel over gunned with an 8wt. After landing the fish I had hoped I’d get Chris’s attention to come and get a great photo, but he couldn’t hear me calling out to him. I took a quick shot with the 10 second timer and let him off. Typical of migratory salmonids, the larger fish run first. I expect they’ll move off the radar soon. I’m glad I got my piece of the cake!
Dougal, Tom, Jeff and Chris; Thanks for floating with me! They were some of the highlights of my season.
For guiding bookings and information for next season, contact me ronan@sexyloops.comĀ or visit my website ronansflyfishingmissions.com. I do not offer guided float trips!
Tight Lines!
Ronan..
- About to hit the water with Dougal!
- First cast a 4.5lb rainbow which he landed but it got away before I snapped a picture!
- Then it started raining..
- ..and raining..
- ..and raining..
- ..you get the picture!
- The rain didn’t dampen our spirits even though the fishing was pretty slow!
- Dougal lost one here..
- The sun attempts to break through..
- lovely light..
- more storm in the distance.
- Foreboding skies.
- There is usually a fish here, but not today!
- Dougal is in! straight to the backing!
- A fresh run 5lber
- Back he goes..
- A nice brown quite late in the day.. This one was tailing over some shallow silt flats..
- About to board for the final drift home..
- Off home..
- A week later, Tom joined me for a day. In this pic I’m lining up the approach between the logjams.
- Off we go!
- A great start for me!
- Anywhere the river slows right down is a good place prospect!
- Lifting to recast I saw the big dark shape going full bore to eat my fly. I just managed to stop the rod at 45 degrees, see the eat and make a very high strike..
- ..turned out to be the biggest rainbow from a wild environment I’ve ever caught. 9lbs!
- This pic to show the depth.. not a canal for 120kms
- ..and one more before he swims away..
- Away he goes, the momaluke.
- Lunch!
- Tom got a couple of browns from this run..
- In the bag!
- A nice brownie..
- Bow and arrow with the streamer.. now joy!
- Crossing the braid to get back on the track.
- Heading home! Great day..
- A day afloat with Jeff.
- Out on the river..
- We rarely fish from the boat..
- No joy here..
- Late enough in the day I got 3 in quick succession from a drop-off / riffle. This chrome beauty was the best!
- Jeff into one..
- A wee brownie..
- Jeff..
- Stalking..
- Nice evening sky..
- Jeff into a goodie!
- More chrome!
- A day out with my good friend, the legend, Chris Dore!
- A moody morning..
- ..this 8lber from the gloom! A long cast, count down the fly.. slowly take the slack a feel the connection.. tap… tap, tap (like a half pounder!), strip strike into heavy head shakes! This is why I love winter fishing in Otago.
- Very happy with myself after catching that rainbow!
- What a morning!
- A wee one for Chris..
- A wee one for me!
- Chris said I should name it! I should!!
- The last fish of the day! The very same one I caught with Dougal a few weeks earlier! He ate the very same fly!!
- Back he goes.. Thanks, Chris for these great shots!