Ronan's Report

I think if I lived in any other part of the western world with incredible fly-fishing on my doorstep, there would be a core group of hardcore anglers who simply live to fish. Here in the the southern lakes region of NZ there are not many. There are guides who love their game but fish only a few days in winter, and in summer have little time to fish themselves, some keen anglers have other priorities such as family and skiing in the winter months, some just talk about it but rarely actually fish hard at all, I don’t see many young people getting into the game; these people should be the back bone of the sport but they are few and far between. The clubs seem to lack youth, though not due to lack of trying, and this is a shame. I find it hard to believe that in a place like this I don’t know a single person who fishes as much as I do. (If Jeff was here that would not be true!!) Imagine as a skier or snowboarder having every mountain to yourself every time you go out. That’s pretty much how it is for me throughout the winter months on the lakes. It was the same last year. This is a fun, exciting sport but it needs an injection of new life and some fresh thinking…. That, or just keep it for those who are currently involved. There’s an argument for both I guess.

All that said, I’m meeting up with the Canterbury Fly Fishing Club in a few weeks for a weekend on the Central Lakes and I’m really looking forward to that. I’m excited to see their approach to the water and how it differs from mine.

Last weekend I was hoping for bigger and better things but the lake fished reasonably well. I picked up a dozen or so fish over the 2 days, the best about 2.5lbs. They were all well marked and brightly coloured and a mix of browns and rainbows. The weather was good and unseasonably warm. There are not many places in the world where you can fish in the middle of a built up area with planes taking off over you all day, jet boats whizzing passed and numerous other water users about and still catch plenty fish. This is a truly superb place for a fly-fisherman.

I put my back out badly at work on Monday so I think I’ll be out of action this weekend.

Go have a winter fish! Ronan..

This week on SLTV, Backcountry Fjordland part 2. Sean, Fraser, Paul and I take on some wilderness for a few days. We all get some sort of bug on different days but manage plenty excellent fishing. Some great footage of fish eating dries in this episode and some great Blue Duck footage too.

Today is my last day in Tassie for a while. I’m about to get up and pack and then get ready for some friends to come around for some food and drinks in a few hours. We will have a roast from Don’s Dads pet cow, Mount Gay rum, beer and some seals fur.

I’m going back to NZ for the back end of the season. I haven’t been there for the back end since Paul and I filmed “Fish This” for Discovery Channel in 2008. Hard to believe that’s 4 years ago! Time flies..

Anyway, Just a quick blog today to show you some mayflies in and on the surface film. Tie your own conclusions!

Ronan..

ps. Don’t forget this. Only a few days to go.

http://thelimpcobra.com/2012/01/27/the-crafty-cobra-photovideo-contest/

Christmas day was a relaxed affair. Myself,  Paul, John and Sue, Bronwyn and Hair and lenny the dog all spent the day together on the far side of Littlepine lake.. Barbecued scallops, prawns, pork and lots of veggies were the order of the day along with John’s sushi. Paul turned Hair’s old 2 piece sage into a 3 piece while giving a distance casting demo! We managed a little bit of fishing, Paul had one.

Every day we’re getting out on the water and trying many methods. Dries generally seem to be the best but it pays to keep an open mind and be willing to change everything on a whim.

This week’s show is up on youtube! Its about Kayak fly-fishing with an intro to Tasmania. Check it out and Subscribe to the channel so you never miss an episode.

Hope ye all had a great Christmas and tight lines in the new year..