I thought I’d be putting up this years Top 5 list in May or June, but with the season virtually closed over here, now is the time! It was a big fish season. Right from the start they were big, way before the mouse plague hit. Some say it was due to the mild winter which preceded the season but who knows. The mouse plague certainly happened down south and up north (on the South Island) West Coast too. Some insanely big fish were caught in those areas but I concentrated most of my effort away from mousy areas. I heard some stories of pressure on rivers which was enough to deter me. Only twice I ventured south in search of mouse fish and both times we came up with the goods. However both times we encountered anglers not playing by the rules / etiquette which tarnished the experience. Three of the top 5 trout, including number 1 were not mouse fish. My own double was not a mouse fish either. The top 5 trout came from 4 different rivers.
I’m delighted to see 3 regular clients making this years Top 5. Hopefully the other 2 will become regulars! Well done to Chuan, TopRod, Andrew, Bryan and Marcus. Also thank you all. My thanks of course extends to all I guided this season. I appreciate your custom and friendship and I hope to see you all again once we get out the other side of this pandemic.
I am taking bookings for next season although I appreciate that people may not be keen on paying a deposit under the current circumstances. This I understand. If you’d like to make a booking without paying a deposit just let me know. It’ll give you a chance to secure some dates assuming you can travel to NZ next season. The deposit can be settled if and when the travel ban is lifted. I returned all deposits taken for my 25 lost days due to the virus – apart from one! Thanks Barry! I wont forget that.
I thought I could write this without referencing the Corona Virus but it’s so relevant right now and it effects everyone, I just had to give in! Next blog I won’t mention it! Thats all for now..
Stay the feck at home everyone! Ronan..
Contact me ronan@sexyloops.com or visit my website.
Number 1 – For the second year running! A smidgeon over 11lbs. This cracking fish from December. Congratulations Chuan.. One more quick pic before the release. Number 2. A very close 2nd at 11lbs on the dot. A cold day in February. Well done james! Back he goes.. Number 3. Andrew with a brute of a fish just over 9lbs in weight from last November. I didn’t mean to make him look like a 15lber! It was my clients camera with a fancy lens.Number 4. Bryan with chunky, mouse eating personal best during March! 9lbs.Number 5. Just under 9lbs for Marcus in February. I’m delighted to see 3 regular clients on this years Big Fish Board!This picture does him justice. A beautiful specimen.My own personal best for the season (so far, hopefully we’ll all get out again before season close!), 10.5lbs last October.Just before swimming home. I’d like to see him after 2 months eating cicadas!
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!
