One of the highlights from my recent trip home was taking my godson, Macdaragh, fly fishing. We went to the same lake where it all began for me. Ryan’s Lake as its known locally or Ranachaun in Irish. Macdaragh’s auld fella and one of my best friends came too. Justin. He’s been on here a few times over the years. I attempted to teach Justin to cast a fly on Ryan’s Lake at least 20 years ago. I may have told him that he was one of the worst casters that I had ever seen. I think I put him off a bit. 20 years later he did much better. Maybe I did too. His understanding of the mechanics and physics of the cast meant that it was just a matter of time before his casting really clicked into gear – and it did, although he didn’t manage to catch a trout. Macdaragh did however! He did incredibly well. He took to casting like a duck to water and progressed consistently throughout the day. Most importantly he hooked, played and landed 3 trout. They were a good size too; big enough for dinner. After a great day out, Justin and his son had the added bonus of a feed of fresh, wild trout from a wilderness lake. Thankfully the open cast mine that was proposed for this very area was denied, so this stunning and sacred environment is safe for the time being…
True to my word in my last report, I have been out exploring new water. I’ve had some success too. I fished at least 8kms of water I have never fished before. Some of it was guiding a like minded angler who never minds taking a chance to learn new water. He landed fish to 7lbs in new water and many more in tried and trusted spots. We had 3 days in Southland with a couple more days on the cards once this rain stops. Maybe north next. One day exploring, one day not. I fish too with Bryan so needless to say I can’t wait!
The season is going great! between guiding and fishing myself I’ve had many 6 to 8lb fish to the net, some of them cartwheeling powerhouses – such strength! What a month October is. Certainly the best of the season if the weather plays ball… and it usually does!
Plenty spots available this season! Contact me ronan@sexyloops.com or visit my website. I’d love to hear from you!
Tight Lines, Ronan..
Ryan’s Lake
The fish are not big but they are plentiful.
Macdaragh’s first on fly!! This is a good one.. Probably at least 4 years old.
I have spent many happy days here. I know every inch of it!
A fly trapping plant with a sedge in it..
Macdaragh sends in a nice cast..
One of 3 landed for dinner!
No mining here!!!
This brought back a memory! Damien O Malley had 12 to my 2, then I got a terrible tangle. I lost my temper and picked up the rock on the left and smashed the big rock with it! I was about 15.
Justin and Macdaragh.
The 3 of us..
Dinner!!
Deserved! Well done Macdaragh..
Nothing wasted!
Such a tank.. small, lightly weighted flies..
Shotgun Kevin on the other bank. He got one too!
Heading south for a few days with Bryan..
Some stunning water..
..and plenty fish!
Most fish ate..
This fish went absolutely nuts! And why wouldn’t it!
Magnificent!!
Wilderness!
Bryan did well here.. Multiple fly changes before getting the fish on a single nymph with no indicator. It may have been agitating the fish so he removed it. Struck by watching the fish.. 7lbs.
Then this brute! 3 super fish for Bryan, one for me.
Look at that!
And what a place.. new water too!
About a dozen one day on the Mataura. We got a super afternoon hatch!
Another season has landed. My new seasons resolution is to explore more, fish more and fish better, think like a trout! I was itching to get back at the rivers. I wanted to check out new water so that’s what I did. I walked a wee stream for miles and it was decent, lots of walking between fish but I like that. I did spend some time blind fishing streamers in corner pools but it wasn’t working. Sighted fish were few and far between but they were big and keen to eat pretty much anything as long as it was well presented. I had one on a Cicada and another on a #6 leggy dry stonefly! The reason I always use a dry as an indicator..
October is quiet on the guiding front, not sure why but it will give me time to fish myself. I have some things I want to do. Mostly exploratory to keep the learning curve moving the right way. Watch this space!
I added a few pics of Moher Lake in County Mayo in the West of Ireland. John O Malley and myself used to hitch there in our teens getting in all sorts of trouble with bailiffs, parents and even a wee run in with the law, but mostly just having a great time fishing as free as birds. Mrs McDonnell who we rented the boat from would let us camp on the lake. We’d fish it from dawn til dusk! So many great memories. I went back with James while I was back home. I was happy to go back for a trip down memory lane and James had never been. I heard it was well stocked last year so I expected the same this year. The farmer who rents out the boats said it was fishing very well but we only met one stocked fish all day. I could tell it was in a while by it’s well mended fins and bright flanks. We had non stop action with about 50 little native browns, about 3 to the pound, maybe 4. Sadly the lake wasn’t stocked this year but the IFI are still taking full price to fish it. Unfair? Yes, I think so. Still a nice day out!
Lots of availablity this season for guided fly fishing in the south of New Zealand. February is full and March is almost full but plenty room besides. You can contact me via my website or email me ronan@sexyloops.com
Tight Lines, Ronan..
A small headwater stream. Lots of walking between fish..
..but worth it!
Blue skies, snow on the ground, cool and crisp..
..some magnificent fish around!
Snow melt should keep the rivers full for a while.
This tank was sipping down little mayflies, I threw a #6 indicator dry to him and he sipped it down just the same! The next day one took a cicada..
Just under 8lbs..
Stunning! Now a 1.5hour walk back to the truck.
Day 2. Feckin freezing! And 50kph wind.. A cotton bag made a good hat! Yesterday the draw string made new laces for my boots..
Great start..
About 4ks later, this!
Same fish.. Magnificent 2 days on the water over 3 streams.
Moher Lake in Co. Mayo in the West of Ireland.
Fishing with my good friend James.
Corned beef and tomato sandwiches! Lovely!
We landed about 50 of these..
..Small, but these are adult browns.
The lake wasn’t stocked but we still paid full price! We were hoping to get into some 1 to 3lb stocked browns – big enough to fight back!
