Thread: Fly fishing kit / Combo

Originally Posted by makka

Don't overlook getting a spinning combo too, lots of great spinning to be had around Wellington and the Manawatu

Totally agree. To the OP - don't get one of those god awful fly/spin combo rods. Quite a few quality 4 piece spinning rods available.

Only thing I would suggest that hasnt been touched on is before you buy any set, have a play with the rod and see how it feels. Sometimes you pick up a rod and you can feel straight away if you're going to like it or not.
For general purpose you'll probably be looking at a medium fast action 9ft 5 or 6 weight for the Wellington region.
Personally I like fast action rods as the majority of my fishing is nymphing or wet lining with large streamers so want a bit of backbone to be able to punch into the wind.

Originally Posted by wsm junkie

Only thing I would suggest that hasnt been touched on is before you buy any set, have a play with the rod and see how it feels. Sometimes you pick up a rod and you can feel straight away if you're going to like it or not.
For general purpose you'll probably be looking at a medium fast action 9ft 5 or 6 weight for the Wellington region.
Personally I like fast action rods as the majority of my fishing is nymphing or wet lining with large streamers so want a bit of backbone to be able to punch into the wind.

That's true. I'll buy reels online, but not rods for this reason.

Originally Posted by makka

Don't overlook getting a spinning combo too, lots of great spinning to be had around Wellington and the Manawatu

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

Originally Posted by wsm junkie

Only thing I would suggest that hasnt been touched on is before you buy any set, have a play with the rod and see how it feels. Sometimes you pick up a rod and you can feel straight away if you're going to like it or not.
For general purpose you'll probably be looking at a medium fast action 9ft 5 or 6 weight for the Wellington region.
Personally I like fast action rods as the majority of my fishing is nymphing or wet lining with large streamers so want a bit of backbone to be able to punch into the wind.

Not sure If I can do that around wellington. I am so used to buying stuff online as I buy all my fishing tackle from US. I don't even remember when I bought even clothes from an off-line store. SO used to this life that walking into a store and picking up stuff seems alien to me . This is another thing I need to get used to when I am there. Good suggestions though

Thanks @wsm junkie

If you need local flies these guys do great ones:
https://www.feathergirl.co.nz/trout-fly-store

Identify your target beyond doubt, because you never miss and I'll be missed

If you on the Manawatu River check out
https://www.facebook.com/Dundees-Tro...07896995906740

Only spin fish but have been fishing the Manawatu River for 40 years.Trout count this year is 63 landed.

Hi Inder, I have a couple of fly rods I bought second hand on TradeMe from a fly fisherwoman who was hanging up her waders. They have had five fifths of fuck all use since I've had them, which is embarrassing given some of the monsters she was holding in the photos on her garage wall. You are more than welcome to use these for free till you get settled, and work out where you want to fish, and what you might need. Save you splashing out on stuff prior for gear that may or may not suit.

Hunting and Fishing will undoubtedly serve your needs and will happily take your money, but can be a little overpriced for what you get, so would second flyshop as a great independent option.

I also have some sea/rock rods you would be welcome to borrow, and/or can introduce you to Pete from Pete Lamb's Fishing who is always a great source of wisdom, and will sort you out with a no-nonsense set up for a very reasonable price. I can also show you some of Miramar's hotspots where you're guaranteed to catch snapper on about 1 in 10 outings... biggest I've caught was about 15cm though, so I hope you like catch and release.

Something to consider is the 'beginner package deals' from top manufacturers like 'Sage'. Seems like they bring out a new fantastic rod and a few years later when this model is superseded it becomes the discount priced beginner rod.

Originally Posted by yeah_na_missed

Hi Inder, I have a couple of fly rods I bought second hand on TradeMe from a fly fisherwoman who was hanging up her waders. They have had five fifths of fuck all use since I've had them, which is embarrassing given some of the monsters she was holding in the photos on her garage wall. You are more than welcome to use these for free till you get settled, and work out where you want to fish, and what you might need. Save you splashing out on stuff prior for gear that may or may not suit.

Hunting and Fishing will undoubtedly serve your needs and will happily take your money, but can be a little overpriced for what you get, so would second flyshop as a great independent option.

I also have some sea/rock rods you would be welcome to borrow, and/or can introduce you to Pete from Pete Lamb's Fishing who is always a great source of wisdom, and will sort you out with a no-nonsense set up for a very reasonable price. I can also show you some of Miramar's hotspots where you're guaranteed to catch snapper on about 1 in 10 outings... biggest I've caught was about 15cm though, so I hope you like catch and release.

I don't know what to say sir :Folded hands:

Really big thanks for offering to use your rods but I would not like to impose. What I would love is to meet you for sure to pick your brains on tips and techniques. I have read Petes article and recon he will be a go to guy for all sea fishing knowledge.

Here in INDIA we catch Masheer and snake head. Never kept a single Masheer and occasional snakehead. I do practice catch and release where feasible.

Thanks again for your kind gesture ::Folded Hands::. Will get in touch with you once I land there.

Having lived a few years in Palmerston North, and heavily fly fished the area, (Manawatu/Rangitikei/Pohangina) I think you will be better served, with a med/fast action fly rod in a six or seven, reason been, this area of the lower north Island, Wellington/Manawatu can be quite windy for weeks at a time, generally if we have a weather system called El Niño, this will have domaniate winds from the west, once every few years we get a La Nina pattern, and weather coming in from the east coast, hotter drier and more settled.
Also sum pretty good river mouth fishing in the area, that might see you into trout and kawahi, esp during the white bait season, a secondary reason for a 6-7 weight rod,
Have a look on trade-me for used fishing gear,

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

I started off with an Airflo set up and ran that for 3 seasons before upgrading, the airflo rods really are great value. They also come with a spare tip incase you fall over and break it.

It's definitely worth while picking up and having a few practice casts with your intended rod. I purchased my upgraded rod online and it is very different to my previous rod of the same weight and doesn't like being loaded up the same.

Flies, buy quality and you wont be sitting on the bank or a river watching a your fish swim away as it snaps or straightens the hook as you are trying to land it. I brought cheap, $120 for 100 flies, great for practicing not so great for the energetic fish we have over here. I even had one snap the bend of the hook off so the fly body was still there. took me bloody ages to figure out why I was getting takes but couldn't hook them.

good luck on your fishing adventures over here

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

Wow Ryan,

Those are some nice jacks and kudos to whoever took those pics. These pics can go on a fishing mag cover page. Your sister is talented.

Yeah consensus is for 6wt so its going to be it

Originally Posted by Inder

Wow Ryan,

Those are some nice jacks and kudos to whoever took those pics. These pics can go on a fishing mag cover page. Your sister is talented.

Yeah consensus is for 6wt so its going to be it

With some high grade 'punchy' rods guys are fishing a six weight line on a five weight rod. Not all lines and not all rods are equal or match. A high grade 5wt is better at playing and casting than an ordinary 6wt. If you could try a few different rod & line combos before you buy that would make sure no mistake is made. Two mates have the same Sage rod but different lines, I would have sworn they were different weights after using them.