Mouse flies for big trout

I got to fish in NZ some years ago, a trout fishing paradise that can be challenging for a first time visitor. I don't know where you are going in NZ, but there are plenty of opportunities in the North and South Island. If you get the chance I would visit the Rangitikei river in the N. Island, from my perspective the best rainbow trout fishing river in the world. Other famous rivers like the Tongariro, or lakes like Taupo are a beauty on itself and fishing there, depending of the time of the year can be superb. Many of the other rivers look more like creeks. They can be very narrow, water ultra clear, yet they hold very large and beautiful trout. The trout can be easy to spot. But they can also see you quite a ways away so fishing stealthy is a must (approach the water on a low profile, wear dark/earth toned clothes). At places, trout are very educated as there is quite a bit of catch and release, so pay attention to presentation, light and long tippet, etc. A 4/5 W rod is ideal for good presentations, stealthy fishing. Most of the best fishing is done by walking and prospecting rivers/creeks looking for trout and then casting to them, blind fishing would take you only so far in NZ for trophy fish. I tied some mouse flies before going there but did not end up using them much. The mouse craze that overtakes mainly brown trout happens only on bumper crop years of beech tree seeds. In other years/seasons you can be much more effective fishing large cicada patterns, small adams, caddis emergers, beetle patterns, nymphs and if you plan on doing night fishing, some dark colored streamers. If you plan on tting flies in NZ, don;t even think about bringing hair, fur, feathers. They would be confiscated at customs. The kiwis are extremely careful and would inspect all your equipment, so take seriously the requests of information/declaration of what you transport. If you are bringing waders, tents, boots or outdoor equipment, either clean then very well yourself and expect they may get taken from you and cleaned anyways at NZ customs.

I would recommend the book "Stalking trout" by Les Hill and Graeme Marshal to anybody thinking about fishing for trout in NZ. An outstanding book on how to catch trout not only in NZ, but in other places where fishing is more akin to stealthy hunting than fishing. The book seems to be out of print, but there are some used copies online, including a seller in Seattle, see below:

http://www.alibris.com/booksearch.detail?invid=10396267246&quserid=TTPBOOKS&qtit=%22Stalking+trout%22&qsort=&page=1

If you need more info, I'll be happy to share it. Good luck mate! Some NZ trout pics below for inspiration.

Those are some sweet trout you got skayaker!

Thanks for all the info/pics skayakar!! I'll be in Christchurch on the south island with limited mobility. From what I get from the resort I'll be staying at, there are a few ponds/lakes, and one stream all on the the property. I can't take tying materials, but I can take pre-tied flies as long as I declare them. I'm not even attempting waders. I'll see if I can rent or borrow while I'm there. I stripped my mt bike damn near to the frame and cleaned off all the lube as well. I'll just re-lube it once I'm in country. For rods I packed a 5wt with a clear intermediate sinking line, and a 6wt with floating line. Taking 4, 6, and 8lb leader material, and all the flies you listed plus a few woolybuggers, sculpins, and streamers. Also packed a few foam terrestrials. Everything I have read online plus your post gives me high hopes. With any luck I'll posting some sweet NZ trout pics of my own within the next few weeks. More to come soon!!

You are welcome ravdakot! One more thing I forgot to mention are sandflies. They are the NZ equivalent of Alaskan "noseeums" if you ever experienced them. They are very small biting flies, they are everywhere with water in NZ, they are insistent, numerous and  much worse than mosquitos, their bites itch more and last longer as well. So, don't forget to have your body covered or sprayed before you venture out fishing. I did not use waders in NZ, most people there fish with shorts over full leg light pants or tights. Most of the fishing can be done without having to wade much if at all, and the long leg pants help deter the sandflies. The gear you mention is about what I brought there, good idea about the foam terrestrials, I forgot to mention them and they work great, particularly in headwaters and pocketed creeks. Have a great trip!

Back from the NZ/Antarctica trip. Between work, wind, weather, and time I only got to fish a handful of times. Per the game warden, the big sea-run browns hadn't made it up the rivers I was fishing yet either. I did hang a few 10-14" brownies, but no pics. I was more concerned with getting them off in good health than taking their pics. Plus I just knew muy grande was only a cast away (didn't turn out that way). Damn amazing trip though!!! If you have ever thought about traveling to NZ, JUST DO IT. Beautiful country, and amazing people. Nightlife in downtown Christchurch does't get much better either. I watched the sun come up a few times while stumbling into my room after pub crawling with the locals.


Don't even know where to start for pic posting since I have about 500 on my computer, so here's one of me in Antarctica.