"salmobytes" wrote


You'll get the hang of completely new drill a lot quicker.

I spent 3 weeks on the South Island once. That's almost enough
time to drive around and get the feel of the place, but not near
enough time to learn how to fish it. The south island has more big
rivers than you can imagine. Every 10 miles is another Snake River.



Heah, Sandy ! Glad I flushed you out G

Much of what you say is the impression I've had from other sources.
Especially the walking required and low number of fish.

Those things have limited my interest ... I have a very painful ankle/knee
.... but my fish porn videos don't stress them, so it got me wondering.

I'm used to fishing stingy, ungenerous, places ... and I usually fail
gracefully when I fail ... although several days in a row can bring out my
testy side G ... so I think I could deal with getting skunked, here and
there, a bit better than most anglers

As for a guide, I have nothing against a day or two to learn the ropes, ...
but even then the idea of some guy walking along then pointing,
---------------- "There's a fish, put on this fly, move over there 5 feet
above that rock, cast to the right edge of that seam. No, No, 4 feet
longer cast. Set, Set, SET !!! " is almost exactly opposite of my
reasons for fishing.

When I see guides and their johns floating along, on the Missouri or lower
HFork, the guide controlling the fly's drift with his oars far more than
the angler ... then "Set, Set !!" as the angler mindlessly stares into
space waiting for orders, I have the same reaction. I mean, .. why
not just pay someone to hook a fish for you, then you fight it and get your
picture taken ... ( now that I think about it I bet there ARE johns paying
guides to hook fish and hand them the rod ... oh, shudder, what a
disgusting thought )


Is the "spotter/ angler teamwork" really needed in NZ ( team, as opposed to
paid guide )? Even if a good friend was the spotter, after a day or two,
I think I'd still have a hard time enjoying being told where, and when to
cast ... and when to strike ... all that IS the fishing, reeling him in is
fun, sure, but even if he's huge it's still only a small part of the whole
package of skills

Plus, I've very likely to be alone.

Spring Creeks !! Is there an island, or part of one, that has the biggest
concentration? Access? I can't get involved in Paradise Valley style
pay to play, can't afford it more than a day or two. Even if it's sight
nymphing to fish far between I prefer the smoother water, and to be honest,
easier walking on my bad limbs, of such creeks and a pastoral setting.


Good to "see" ya, Sandy. I head your direction soon ... would be sooner
but I've gotten trapped into some mid-May family stuff .... I may actually
wait to leave here until after the Memorial holiday, although I'm still
aiming to hit West about a week before it.