gulfgreyhound
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2007
- Messages
- 6,522
Hokitika,New Zealand and it's surrounding streams were a last shot at trout.Even with the rain and wind I hoped for a sheltered spot that might hold a fish or two.Talking with the owner of another fishing tackle/hardware store provided a possible location. A tail-race that he indicated had produced some good fishing the week prior. Since it was on the way back to the east coast I figured it was worth a look. After driving about a mile off the main road a tannin stained creek came into view. Maybe just maybe my luck was about to change for the better. The outflow was about 12 feet wide and at least 8 ft. deep.The stream bank was wide enough to walk along and even at my age it was no big deal to get down the bank and get fishing.
I had tied on a Hares Ear nymph and weighted the leader with a couple of split shot. Cast and mend and fight the wind.It wasn't tough to get a reasonable cast ,but the wind blew my upstream mends downstream with every cast. About 20 yards or so downstream I had a take that felt like electricity. I have no idea what happened for when I struck the fish all I got was slack line. Ok,at least I knew that there were fish here.So for the next couple of hours I flogged that creek with an assortment of flies with no takers. It got to the point of having to stop to have the time to drive the 5 hours back to Kaikoura.
We all plan trips and hope the weather will be in our favor.Just as the Jam had high water some fish able streams could be found.Traveling 8300 miles to experience the same kind of conditions was a bummer.Still the beauty of the country made up a lot of the disappointment of of no fish.
I had tied on a Hares Ear nymph and weighted the leader with a couple of split shot. Cast and mend and fight the wind.It wasn't tough to get a reasonable cast ,but the wind blew my upstream mends downstream with every cast. About 20 yards or so downstream I had a take that felt like electricity. I have no idea what happened for when I struck the fish all I got was slack line. Ok,at least I knew that there were fish here.So for the next couple of hours I flogged that creek with an assortment of flies with no takers. It got to the point of having to stop to have the time to drive the 5 hours back to Kaikoura.
We all plan trips and hope the weather will be in our favor.Just as the Jam had high water some fish able streams could be found.Traveling 8300 miles to experience the same kind of conditions was a bummer.Still the beauty of the country made up a lot of the disappointment of of no fish.
