Monthly Highlights
Below are photos and a story from the recent month's guided fly fishing trips in New Zealand's Central South Island.
March 2026
Don chose wisely when he came back to see me late March. The poor guy ended up with a swollen ankle when he and Curtis came to see me back in late January so he was due a lucky break!
The weather gods were kind to us so we were able to go to places where spotting is essential and sunny days a necessity. We used a variety of methods from back country dry fly fishing to emergers on a small creek, tiny nymphs on Lake Benmore and river mouth fishing using mini streamers.
Using a variety of fishing methods makes for really interesting angling. My favourite is lake shore nymph fishing. It's all very visual and everything, accurate casting and fly selection, has to be right. There is no luck involved (as in blind fishing) so it's extremely rewarding knowing that the trout on the end of your line is all down to yourself!! This was something new for Don and he really enjoyed the stalking and visual aspect of this style of fly fishing.
That said, having a large brown trout rising upstream in a small stream is sure to get the heart beating faster - just ask Don!'
Don has a big smile after landing this brute
Travelled a long way to get this beauty!
The smile says it all!
Taking a break before heading to deeper water
Don in action on Lake Benmore
A typical Lake Benmore brown trout taken with a tiny nymph
Bigger than it looks - 5lb+ from the back country
This Red-Brown SBN accounted for a particularly fussy brown trout
[click image to enlarge]
