| Getting Started: Getting Started | |||
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| Getting Started 10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish. There's more to flyfishing than catching fish  Reality for most people is somewhere in between. Those who are new to fly fishing may be overwhelmed by the terminology, the different flies and nymphs and the endless amount of different equipment. Actually, flyfishing is simple - a rod that casts an imitation fly. The only difficulty is understanding the fishes' environment and learning how to present the correct fly to the fish in the correct manner. This means being able to identify insects, figure out where the fish are lying, and deciding which fly or nymph to use in a particular situation. The best way to learn is from someone else who has put in the time. The Wellington Flyfishers Club welcomes new members. The fundamentals are simple - but there is always something new to learn Contact us by email or come along to one of our meetings - first Monday of the month (except January) at the Apollon Clubrooms, Adelaide Road. Techniques  For flyfishing in the Wellington region use a floating line with a #12 royal wulf as an indicator (hook size increases with lower numbers - #1 is large, #20 small), and a #14 caddis or pheasant tail nymph on an 18 inch dropper (+/- depending on the depth of the water). This set-up works for most of the year, however, use dry flies during summer from November - February, or two nymphs below a yarn indicator during winter, or a streamer fly on a slow sinking line, or whatever works at the time. Brown trout The combination of dry fly and nymph can be used virtually anywhere in New Zealand, its really a question of finding a river with fish and determining the available food (a small insect net can be handy), locating where the fish lie in the stream, and presenting the fly, matched to the food source accurately, rather than any "irresistable" fly pattern. Trout in riffles or moving water will take anything drifting in front of them to check if it is edible: many of the fancy patterns on sale are merely to attract fishermen. Strike at any pause or change in movement of the "indicator" fly, before the fish has time to reject the nymph as non-edible. Trout in still water have more time to be selective, and the flies must be more convincing, while sometimes almost anything will work. (Always remember of course that any statement of fact, tip, gem, or pearl of wisdom, or blatant lie will immediately be proved wrong by the next trout you see). Fluorocarbon leaders (between 9-15 feet) are considered almost essential with the increasing fishing pressure on most streams these days, especially if the water is clear, otherwise in murky or discoloured water mono works ok. A 5 or 6wt rod is adequate, but with Wellington's windy weather a 9wt is also useful for days when it blowing a gale. Windy weather can be an advantage as the fish can't detect your movement as easily. Entomology Flies are made to represent the common food items taken by trout in NZ waters. Examination of stomach contents of brown trout in the Wellington region shows that numerically, caddis fly larvae are the most important food item, followed by mayfly larvae, amphipods and snails. Food items taken by trout are largely dependent on:
Upwards of 70% of food items found in trout stomachs are caddis larvae. Without a survey of the stream insects at the same time to verify the relative abundance of caddis to other insects, it can only be assumed that this reflects either the availability of food, or selection of prey items by trout. But it could just be the indigestible nature of the caddis case compared with other invertebrates. (Although numerically the most abundant, the quantity is much less as other food items are often much larger, however, for fishing purposes the number of times trout take a particular food is probably more important).  Interestingly, the relative abundance of different food items now is similar to that recorded by Phillipps in 1926 when the river ran through farmland, despite the urbanised catchment today, the insect fauna is similar. The most significant change is that Phillipps caught 42 fish - today one or two is good fishing. Caddis larvae are easily identified as the body is encased in a tube, unlike mayfly larvae. May fly larvae make up around 10% of food items found, and are more often taken in swifter flowing water, followed in importance by stonefly larvae known as creeper (common throughout the Hutt River, but only observed at Wainuiomata in the swiftest rapids); crane flies and other chironimid adults are predominant in early spring as prey items, while their "blood worm" larvae are found throughout the season. From early summer beetles are taken enthusiastically by trout. There are literally hundreds of species but the common ones are green and brown beetles. Water beetles and water boatmen are taken on the Wainui especially in late summer in the quieter back waters.Terrestrial insects are taken infrequently in late summer (particularly on windy days), and mainly consist of cicadas and the occasional bug. Spiders seem to be taken almost as often as cicadas on the Wainui. Trout will pick off spiders moving across the steep banks just above the water and spiders also presumably drop from overhanging vegetation. Blow flies occur in the trout diet, especially if there's a dead sheep nearby. Molluscs make up around 10% of food items and are particularly important in the Wainuiomata Stream. The small snails there are all Melanopsis (Zemalanopsis) trifasciata which can easily be distinguished from Potomypurgus because they spiral the opposite way - the opening is to the right. A second species Physastra variabilis also is taken in the Wainui - this grows up to 10 mm, considerably larger than the other two species. Freshwater mussels are present in the Wainui but are rarely found in trout stomach contents. Fish and crustacea are important food items when they are taken - one fish or large koura (freshwater crayfish) may provide as much energy as many hundreds of insect larvae. Bullies (Gorbiomorphus sp.) are taken in both the lower Wainuiomata and throughout the Hutt. Whitebait (Galaxias sp.) are taken in spring in the lower reaches of the Hutt and presumably the Wainui, (but the season is closed there at that time). Equipment needed Flyfishing is an accessory sport. You need a #5 or 6 weight flyrod, line, a hook. and a Fishing licence. Optional items include: Rods and Lines
Flies, Lures and Terminal Gear
Useful Tools
Clothing
Potions
Extras
Where to purchase Local tackle shops can provide you with expert advice on equipment: Hamills, 87 Old Hutt Road, Thorndon Hunting & Fishing, Alicetown, Lower Hutt Tell them you found them via the Wellington Flyfishers website - club members are elligible for a 10% discount.[extend] |
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