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Archive for October, 2018

River Keeping – Part 2

October 26th, 2018 No comments

In a blog over winter I spoke about river keeping. After that I bought a saw, a cheap one with a 200mm fold up blade. That’s what I’ve been using. I carry it every day I go fishing. Many of the rivers I fish are willow lined and these are the main contenders for having pools made difficult or unfishable from overhanging branches. At this stage this season I have made about 10 impossible pools possible and others more user friendly. It’s actually extremely satisfying – especially if there’s a fish that you can’t cast to at the time, because now you know you can catch him next time. There was one pool where I had to climb about 10 feet up the willow to tackle the offending branches. There were two. My saw and myself were at our limits trying to cut them. I realised then that I needed a bigger saw! My client that day, Tim, said I should get a Silky Big Boy. Yesterday I googled it and found a shop in NZ that sells them. Here is the link. This has a 360mm blade with extra large teeth! I think I can take out some serious trees with this. I’m looking forward to having it in my pack. If we all carried a saw we could keep our rivers under control. This would benefit every angler!

Guiding has been quiet enough so far but from tomorrow on it looks like it will be all go til the end of April. Hopefully I’ll be able to stay on top of my blog. Time will tell. Some nice images from a few trips in the pictures below.

I’ve had a bit of bad luck with my own fishing! With looking after Adaline while Iza is working I can’t fish as much as normal, so days out are more precious now. 4 of these precious days I’ve had to go to plan B. Once, because my chosen river was blown from a flash flood and 3 times from snowmelt. I knew I was taking a chance – a chance I wouldn’t take if I was guiding! However, I thought I’d get away with it. My plan B each time worked out well but still reduced my fishing time to a half day. The fish are in good numbers and in great condition. Between rain and snowmelt the rivers are nice a full with great prospects for November.

For bookings and information you can contact me on ronan@sexyloops.com or visit my website.

Tight Lines,

Ronan..

MY OWN FISHING!

GUIDING GALLERY

Categories: Expedition Tags: , , , , ,

Flies for New Zealand – No Secrets!

October 2nd, 2018 No comments

I spent the last 2 days tying like a madman and sorting out my flies for the season. I thought after all my boxes were tidied up that it would be a good chance to share with you all just what goes into a seasons worth of flies for New Zealand. Well, almost a season worth. I still need to tie about 120 varied sizes of my standard dry. I photographed every page of my boxes. Some I carry every day and some only when I think I’ll need them. With the flies from the first few pictures I’d be confident on 95% of days on a NZ river or lake. I’m very lucky to have my father sending me over regular batches of flies. His flies are excellent and are catching fish over here even when he’s not driving them! I also use a lot of Stu’s flies. His flies are well tied and well designed. If you’re coming over and need a full range of flies then he’s your man. Check out his flies here. Manic Tackle Project supply the shops. I use a range of their flies from worms to wee dries. I also tie myself. I generally try to tie 6 before every day on the water.

I’m fishing myself for the next 3 days. After that the fly boxes will be a mess again!

If you haven’t done so already, please check this out and make a submission.

For bookings and information about the coming season please see my website or email me ronan@sexyloops.com

Tight Lines, Ronan..

Categories: Expedition Tags: , , , , ,