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Hey team,
I've always wanted to learn how to catch fish from some of our back country rivers. Fly fishing always looks so peaceful too.
I have no idea where to start though. Other than just getting out there and doing it, would any of you be kind enough to throw some pointers on getting started and learning the ropes please?
Do I hire a local guide, read a book or two, watch youtube or just plain old wing it??
Cheers!
Trust me, join your local fly fishing club.
Get some casting lessons
All of the above, plus get yourself hold of one of these
https://www.theflyfishers.com/P/424/...PracticeFlyRod
Fly fishing is about as peaceful as golf. Pros make it look easy. Us mortals will spend countless hours unwinding lines, detangling birds nests and slapping the water till the fish laugh themselves to death. FYI, these are the fish most anglers take photos of, or bring home to eat. Death by derision.
Seriously though, Hastings Anglers Club is about as good as it gets. They have lots of classes etc to get you up and running. Look for them on Facebook. I can help you to get in touch otherwise.
Be aware, the rivers in HB have been given an absolute hiding after Gabrielle. The Tuki and upper Mohaka will fish ok but I'm certain that the Tutaekuri and other low lying rivers and streams will be years from returning to a decent fishery. The silt has smothered all life to near extinction so even if fish are released they will have a hard time until the aquatic invertebrates return.
The headwater fisheries are great fun but need to be cared for. Some like the Maropea need a special licence to fish as they are fragile if hammered too hard. Fortunately trout taste like shit so few people with with any taste keep them.
I suggest you buy yourself something either good secondhand or new entry level stuff like Echo, Reddington or Primal in 6 weight with a floating line. Get some nymphs and leader and give if a whirl. See Jake at Rivers to Ranges as he's a good rooster and will help you get started with gear. Most rods are 4-piece so you can pack them down small enough to tramp in with. Don't get 2-piece (I doubt they're even still a thing). If you see something on TM or the likes put it here and im happy to give you my 2c if it looks worth your while.
I'd offer to take you out but I'm so time poor at present I think I'm possibly no longer getting older, stuck in something like a NZ version of Groundhog Day.
As stickle7 said, join a club, centuries of knowledge, often they offer casting lessons too.
Learning to cast is a huge benefit. Also, tag along with an old timer, and get them to explain the river to you. Where fish lie, currents, eddies, etc. Makes it more fishing and less throwing a fly.
And study what critters (aka trout food) lives beneath the rocks!
YouTube.
Heaps of advice on all aspects on there. And you can practice when it suits you, not by appointment.
Taught myself as a kid. I can throw a line, but have some bad habits that are hard to shake. If you're serious about it, a little tuition would go a long way.
And don't get sucked in to buying bucket loads of flies. I have heaps but catch ninety percent of fish on a Pheasant tail.
Interesting golf is already mentioned because just like golf, the harder you try the quicker your casting will turn to rubbish. Bit of bare leader end of the line and just go practice. Hold the rod light enough that you can feel the weight of the line pulling at and loading up the rod.
Then begin the opposite cast with steady acceleration of the rod tip.
Common beginners mistakes will be casting the rod on an arc from 9-3 oclock. Aim for 10-2. Also beginning the opposite cast before the rod has fully loaded up. And being a bit shy in getting some snap into the end of the cast or looping the arm too much rather than mostly wrist action and a bit of forearm.
The walking the rivers and looking for fish sure is relaxing. Casting to a big fish or in a tight spot or dealing with wind can be a bit less so :)
Great sport. Stick at it.
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Contact Jake at Rivers To Ranges in Hastings. Real good bastard and will give you good advice.
Go to your local fishing shop and ask for a lesson fly casting.. go from there
In this week's edition.
https://www.manictackleproject.com/b...cast-a-fly-rod
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You guys are bloody legends! Feel like I'm drinking from the firehose of knowledge