this is year 6 for me down in New Zealand...funny how sight fishing in clear, pristine water for very large, cunning wild trout doesn't seem to get old.  Summer is in full swing here in the South Island, and I haven't worn a pair of waders since December on the Trinity.  I haven't fished a lame nymph either...every fish I have caught has been on a dry.  This will change as the summer wears on though, and the fish get more pressured.  Still, I will always try a dry over a fish first, before resorting to a nymph dropper.  There is nothing like watching a 22-28 inch brown slowly rise to your dry.  Late January is becoming one of my favorite times to fish, due to the first signs of cicadas and other terrestrials on the water, the fish are looking up. 

 

Late January report: I have caught dozens of browns between 4 and 8 pounds, all on drys, over the last few weeks...you should have been here.  enjoy your winter.  maybe you should start planning for next year and get a hold of me.  Practice your casting though!

 

2009 Open dates: I do have some openings for late February/early March.  Airfare is the cheapest I have ever seen (under $1000 r/t) and the US dollar is actually very strong in NZ at the moment...cheap beer and wine!  Fly to Queenstown, and I handle the rest.  Contact me to set up an all inclusive accommodation and fishing package.

 

Dax