Thread: Fly fishing kit / Combo

@Moa Hunter yeh that's why I reckon a 5wt. If you end up doing missions to the Tongariro then you'll probably end up with an 8wt as well. As light as rod as you can get away with I reckon for dry fly presentation. And you can load it up with a +1 wt line if you need a bit more punch.

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Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Spoke to my sister about this yesterday. She is on the Shimano pro team, works for Southern Alps outdoors and does some guiding on the canals and rivers surrounding Twizel, basically freshwater fishing is life! The 5wt vs 6wt argument is rife in fishing circles I'm told. She sent some photos of yesterday's "quick little after work flick"
She's restricted to G Loomis when fly fishing due to the Shimano thing so the gear is $$$$ but some pretty impressive results. Both these fish taken on egg pattern and rod was NRX 9" 6wt
Attachment 205645
Attachment 205646

I should have gone said hi when we got to Twizel on Wed Got away with a day and a bit and was almost convinced the big fish pics were a deep fake by the local tourism board. That was until I saw a guy pull out a salmon of about 6-7kg just 10min before I got picked up. First fish I'd seen landed by anyone.

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Originally Posted by Ned

@Moa Hunter yeh that's why I reckon a 5wt. If you end up doing missions to the Tongariro then you'll probably end up with an 8wt as well. As light as rod as you can get away with I reckon for dry fly presentation. And you can load it up with a +1 wt line if you need a bit more punch.

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Ive got a 6wt Z axis which is outdated now but still a good rod, the only problem being that it is not as ideal for a short gentle cast like a softer rod is. I have a 4wt Sage 'one' as well, those 'One's' and the models after them are amazing - all things to all people

Originally Posted by Inder

Thanks makka,

I do have few spinning rods already and I will be bringing a TFO 3 piece, 7 footer mated with a Shimano Symetre spinning reel. (I do need to read up on bringing in used freshwater tackle though) . Giving away all my sea fishing gear to friends here and only carrying a Bait-casting reel and some terminal tackle with me. Hopefully will pick up a surf rod and will be set for sea fishing

When you get down to Wellington way I am happy to show you some spots

Originally Posted by makka

When you get down to Wellington way I am happy to show you some spots

Thanks for your kind offer @makka, I will happily take that up

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

I'm not really familiar with the water around wellington and manawatu but for an all-rounder for NZ I'd drop to a 5wt

Listen to the man. 6wt convert to lure rod is about M or MH in my onion , if you like more fun than fish, 3wt is enough for trout. I use ML rod for Kahawai. If I were you, I will keep it short under two meters, and rise budget little bit more.

What you chaps think about Okuma SLV reels. I have been offered a brand new one at a very good price (Here in INDIA of all places), though I believe in not looking in gift horse mouth but still I don't want to pay and haul something to NZ which is crap. Seller also got 9ft, 4 piece 5 and 6 wt rods but I think it will be a struggle to fit those in suitcase

Anyone using these here?

@Inder I've been using the Okuma SLV's for the last 3 years on both my 6wt and 8wt set ups. Had no issues and they're a good economical large arbor option. Spare spools are easy to get. The drags are a little sticky and not as smooth as higher end reels but I dont believe I've lost any fish because of it. My 8wt gets thrashed as I fish the Tongariro and stream mouths into the lake almost weekly.
With all that said I have just upgraded the 8wt with an Orvis Hydros and the diffrence is night and day especially comparing the drags but I would happily use the SLV if that was all I had.

I never use the drag on a fly reel, just 'palm' the reel because line drag changes so much depending on rod angle. If a heavy fish makes a sudden run I dont want any drag at the start when the fish takes off but can then add and decrease pressure to suit, so drag quality is a non event. Wide arbor is important. I haven't got an Okumu but they seem very good, I would go for it

Originally Posted by wsm junkie

@Inder I've been using the Okuma SLV's for the last 3 years on both my 6wt and 8wt set ups. Had no issues and they're a good economical large arbor option. Spare spools are easy to get. The drags are a little sticky and not as smooth as higher end reels but I dont believe I've lost any fish because of it. My 8wt gets thrashed as I fish the Tongariro and stream mouths into the lake almost weekly.
With all that said I have just upgraded the 8wt with an Orvis Hydros and the diffrence is night and day especially comparing the drags but I would happily use the SLV if that was all I had.

Thanks @wsm junkie . I will pick it up. if nothing it will become a backup reel when I be able to afford better gear.

Got the reel, Yayyyy. My first fly fishing reel. (is it normal for a 45YO to feel happy like a kid on getting a new toy)



Now if anyone of you gents have a nice 6wt rod to match this and interested to sell (Not loan or give free) at sane prices please let me know.