2014 SEASON
CHALLENGING WEATHER AGAIN!
The 2013/14 season began with yet another monster flood in the second week of October – it was very disappointing. The entire South Island was hit and we all experienced challenging fishing right through until December.
Fortunately from December through until the season’s end our rivers ran with minimal weather disturbance and good fishing returned. I am forever amazed at how wonderfully nature bounces back from these weather explosions.
NO DOUBLE FIGURES LANDED
Cicadas arrived late this year – not until late January, due no doubt to colder conditions in early summer. However by then our season was in full swing with good numbers everywhere and trout weights ranging from four to nine pound.
Unusually, this season no double figure trout were landed. Several monsters were hooked however, fast released and unfortunately lost.
FAT TROUT PREDICTIONS
According to New Zealand’s Department of Conservation, the heaviest beech forest seedfall in more than a decade is predicted in 2014. It is expected the increased seedfall will lead to an explosion in the numbers of rats, mice and stoats. The unfortunate consequence being that the stoats will then turn to our native birds for food once the seeds disappear.
The fortunate consequence for fishers is of course those fat trout which have been feasting on mouse protein! Fingers crossed! Read the Conservation Department article here: http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-plants/beech-forest/
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REFLECTIONS ON A SEASON PAST . . .
It is always such a pleasure to meet up with old friends every summer. We laughed together, shared old stories and with many, enjoyed the camaraderie of our early morning fly tying sessions. Mark Sherman has been fishing with me now for 17 years and Mike McLean nearly as long.
I also met many new anglers this season. It is always a treat to be out on the river with fly fishermen who are experiencing New Zealand for the first time. Their excited anticipation and then delight. The wow factor is always there as first timers see how beautiful New Zealand is, experience the reality of our trout sizes and are always impressed at the number of rivers, each unique, waiting to be fished.
Eugene filmed again in January 2014 – as soon as he has finished editing we will post our latest movie on our You Tube channel.
I would like to thank those of you who fished with me this season past and look forward to fishing with many of you again next season.
