Ronan's Report

Early Season Extravaganza!

October 11th, 2016 Ronan Creane No comments

A few of days ago while planning a day fishing for myself, I was surprised to see a perfect weather forecast. Blue skies all day, gentle southerly blowing and a high of 15c. “With a forecast like that for a Sunday I better set off early” I thought. The following morning I was away before dawn. It was a long drive to the river. There was rain first off, then it stopped, then it started again and continued. “Weird” I thought, “It’ll pass”. Before I left internet coverage I decided to check the forecast again in case I made a mistake. I did! I got the forecast for a town in the USA with the same name.. Lesson learned!

There was no going back, and I didn’t want to.. I was excited to take on whatever conditions nature would throw at me. I got a mix of sun, rain and wind all day. High, slightly coloured water too. A streamer day I thought but I ended up catching most sight fishing with small nymphs. Any fish I saw was hard out feeding just below the surface and they were keen to eat my offerings. My own size 16 nymph and one of Stu’s Superior Nymphs did the trick.

The best moment of the day was spotting a large fish swing to the right from behind a deep boulder. I though I had spooked it but wasn’t sure.. I took off the nymphs and tied on a Glister. I slung it across the pool slightly upstream so that it would cross the boulder on its way down. Up from the gloom came the large fish and engulfed my streamer. I lifted into solid weight and the fish played to his strengths and stayed deep. Just under 7lbs. He made my day!

I’m playing catch-up a bit with this blog! Some pics go back to last winter, others from a recent trip to the canals where I finally cracked a big one; 18.5lbs of ugly! Fishing with Guy, a mission to the Coast with Iza, Robbie Mcphee’s 43rd birthday.. Enjoy the pics!

I’ve known Stu Tripney for pretty much as long as I’ve been coming to NZ. He, his shop and his flies have become legendary over my 15 years in NZ. This season I’m putting Stu’s flies through their paces and I’m more than happy with the results. Check them out! http://www.stusflyshop.com

I’ve had a couple of days guiding which have been good, and a few more coming up over the month. There are plenty spaces available and October is a great month! So maybe its time to get yourself down here for a day out! ronan@sexyloops.com for bookings and information.

One more thing, Just in case I don’t get a blog out before October 31st, thats the day mine and Jeff’s episode of “Pure Fly New Zealand” airs on Sky TV in NZ… Good reports from the director so here’s hoping he’s right! http://www.manictackleproject.com/pure-fly-nz-coming-soon/

Tight Lines everyone!

Stuntman Ronan (It’s on my license!) ronan@sexyloops.com

As of now, 2.00pm on the 12th of October, my website is live! www.ronansflyfishingmissions.com

: These few pics of mark and I from winter! Lunch!!

: Up the Clutha in the Wakatipu Anglers Club boat…

: Then to a Clutha braid, no fish but I did rescue Marks hat!

: The Lowburn Inlet saved the day.. as it often does!

: Breakfast for Camo-Guy and I before we hit the Clutha..

: Guy and I..

: Into a wee one!

: Had a couple of these, then off to the lake..

: Guy working on a number of rising fish..

: And he’s in!

: Guy hooked 4 of these and landed 2..

: Then home for dinner.. Iza cooks up a feast!

: Enjoying my portable campfire!

: Iv’e been having heaps of success using Stu’s Superior Flies..

: This is one of Stu’s slender, weighted nymphs. I was able to target trout cruising 10 – 12′ down using these on a long fine tippet.

: Perfection!

: If you’re passing Stu’s Fly Shop, grab a few of these!

: I found a brazier on the river recently so now I can have campfires at home.. Modern technology!! I think this was my birthday party!

: Mission to the Coast!

: Not a touch all morning but lunch was great! Bacon, beans and eggs! Hard to beat.. (pun not intended!)

: The whitebaiters weren’t catching any so no surprise there were no trout around..

: Fish or no fish, Iza and I both love the coast!

: Finally! After about 9 hours fishing a Kahawai for dinner! We forgot the chicken so this fish was very welcome..

: The surf rolls in..

: A perfect sized Kahawai for 2. Filleted in the last of the sunlight..

: The West Coast is a great place to camp and I hope it always will be!

: A pan full of Kahawai.. We had it with spuds cooked in chilli and lime.. Dam good!

: With full bellies, time to relax!

: It was time to put my name on the Canal Big Fish Board! 18.5lbs on a Dore’s Mr Glister. He was a while coming!

: It took me 4 attempts to nail the 10 second timer! #1

: #2

: #3

: #4.. This is his ugly side!

: Size 12, Kamasan B175, 3.5mm tungsten bead.

: A dozen size 14s, a little sparkle can help in coloured water..

: Here’s a dozen of my size 16, Kamasan B175, 2mm tungsten bead nymphs..

: My standard dry.. Basically its always the same. I play around with different bodies and colours but the form remains the same. I design my flies to catch fish and to be very easy and quick to tie. This is also great at holding up tungsten nymphs. Any size, any body, any colour deer hair, any post.