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From Spring Creek to Hogg Water...

The enjoyable side of guiding is taking anglers on a journey, during the journey I make a plan that consists of 99% of decisions based upon experience and gut feeling and adaptation around the changeable. So, what changes often it is the need to match the river beats with ones angling experience and fitness, work around weather and expectations. (i.e. fish size, environment, river size etc. The lovely part of my day is a happy client/s both from catching fish but the journey it takes to get ther...

Learning to FLY FISH made easy!!!

It certainly take patience teaching first time anglers how to fly fish, there are technical aspects of the sport and the comments I get back are "there is a lot to think about to master fly-fishing" One thing I have really admired is those living in NZ wanting to explore there own back yard and take up the opportunity to learn fly fishing. The reward is not only the fish but all the aspects from approaching the water, seeing the fish and a good presentation cast. My job is not to stuff up the ne...

A trip to suit your abilty!

Recently I have enjoyed exploring new water with good company and showing the ropes to new anglers. Attached are a few trips some guided trips. Amongst the action new Zealand's finest!...

The Company of "Big" Fish waters

I am quite comfortable catching small fish in my local spring creeks however over the last month I have been fortunate enough to explore over and above my comfort waters into bigger fish water. I am fully aware these fish need looking after the waters needs to be treated with respect (No youtubeing here!) Superb memorable fish caught with with Aaron Turk ...enjoy...

Local Water....Dry Fly Time

I was thankful to join Jerome in a recent trip to upper Waikato waters. The adventure took us down a steep climb into some stunning waters. Most of the fish we saw for the day were active feeding on top. Lower down the system we enticed quality browns and rainbows using the Manic Hi-Vis PMX. What I learnt was to match the size of the dry to waters we fished i.e. large dry bigger pools and smaller runs small dries like a Parachute Adams....

Pressured Fish

Usually March is peak hot weather and many of our more accessible fish get angling pressure and suffer in higher than normal water temperatures. Although when conditions are right we get incredible damsel and dry fly action. I've enjoyed learning more about the finer parts of fly fishing this season and to present a delicate fly to both tailing and fish looking up actively on the chew. A few pictures from recent trips and catch ups on the water with other anglers...

Exploring top water fish

With a big drop in guided days it has been a great opportunity for me to explore new water and spend time with good Kiwi anglers I would not normally have time to fish with. So a recent invite down south with Kiwi legends Russ Anderson and Brent Hamilton my fishing gear was ready to go! I enjoyed a fantastic day out catching all browns and all on dries. It does  not get any better than sight fishing in small water....

Valued time on the water...

I can't complain with the freedom to explore and fish locally especially when I hear from my overseas friends, family whom are suffering lockdown especially Australia, U.K and the U.S. A lot to be thankful for in NZ some great fishing recently between unpredictable weather. Here below sharing some of my recent catches and good times with my family and friends (highlight taking my daughter fishing). May 2021 be positive. ...

Test driving the new Scott Centric

Very happy to get my hands on a quality rod. The new Scott Centric delivers it all. I was apprehensive to start as I'm pretty hard on fish and used to a "non delicate" approach. At first glace the centric has all the classic looks as the Radian, cosmetically it has some super features red highlights, an easy angle in, wind up bolt to the reel seat, light and super responsive to cast. Easy to roll cast and handles large back country fish to a breeze. Jim Bartschi’s goals in designing ...

One fish at a time

A recent trip with fellow local Angler Karl has taught me again that more than one type of set up catches fish, from dry dropper or indicator nymph the key is drag free drifts and maintaining even contact. It's always good to fish with other good anglers like Karl, I learnt a few things fishing with him.  Away from my days of competition angling, I now much prefer to experience a social day off working a river with a mate, enjoying the scenery and taking our chances one fish at a time.....A...

Brushing up on skills or starting from scatch

Recent guided trips have gone really well with weather conditions starting to stabilize and fish on the chomp, From brushing up on a few technical skills on the river or a family day out I'm happy to cater for both. ...

Kiwi Nymphing Clinic Success, Whanganui River

Saturday 21st November warmed up with a quick meet and greet near the Turangi Coffee Kart then a fly over the saddle to “T” town for our first Kiwi Nymphing clinic held on the Whanganui river, the aim to help anglers better understand the methods involved in what we call Kiwi Nymphing or as you may have heard it Czech or Euro nymphing. The basic principles were demonstrated firstly by Johnny Gummer, previous NZ Team Member and then myself covering everything from the pickup lobbing the ...

Hawkes Bay Action

It's been a few years since I ventured to the Hawkes Bay So, with an opportunity to travel over during Labour weekend and visit family, I added a day on the water to check out a few local rivers and a few spots that I have fished in previous years. I was not disappointed. The usual spots still held good numbers of fish and the river looked amazing, clean and clear. I walked up river and sight fished, managing to catch fish close to the bank, in deeper runs I fished longer and found fish lik...

Kiwi Nymphing

Recently I have been promoting Euro/Czech Nymphing not because it is the only method however it is another string to the anglers bow, very effective in catching fish and a whole new way to get excited about fly fishing while re-discovering water that you may have found void of fish. These techniques now form a longer list of names Modern nymphing, Spanish, French and I’ve coined this personally in my backyard Kiwi Nymphing and why not! As a previous competition angler representing NZ, I have s...

AND FINALLY OPENING DAY! 2020-21

It's one thing feeling like and old dog and never learning new tricks in the world of angling, On the flip side one thing I must say that is really refreshing as my job as a guide to help others learn and achieve their goals as an angler. (whatever the level or age) So, I was very happy to spend two days taking my nephew Ben fly-fishing during opening day 2020-21 so he could catch his very first trout on fly. It was one thing catching some great fish myself.....but an absolute pleasure seeing th...

Join our Euro "KIWI" Nymphing Clinics

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Guided Turangi Trips Made Easy

We are still experiencing very low and clear river conditions in the Taupo fishery however sensational fishing. I was fortunate enough last week to guide two outstanding gentlemen, both with different grades of experience, both with the (hunt) factor!!. They were wanting to absorb and learn from the guided experience with me. Its never about just catching but learning during a lifelong fly fishing journey, fortunate both clients came away with a large number of fish, timing the run very well! Se...

Turangi Action Down Under

Its been super cool to chill out and have a few days catching up with a good crew in Turangi. I fished with Chris Dore https://www.chrisdore.com/ and Matt Dobson from https://blackpearlcharters.co.nz/ Covering a few venues we fished to some of North Islands most well conditioned Rainbow Trout. Appreciative for the second day of the trip where Steve Yerex from Kereu Lodge http://www.flyfishingtauponz.com/lodge. Steve let us through for a spell up river of the T.T, followed by a BBQ and beers...

Experience a day out learning from Rob Vaz

Come and experience a day of tuition yourself book with me now email: robfishnz@gmail.com Just some of my latest tips on You Tube that you can experience in person ...

Action Among The Kereru

I recently enjoyed fishing the upper reaches of one of LakeTaupo's pristine rivers with friends, some action shots among the native Kereru. Superb fishing with some quality specimens. ...

Check out some new video footage

Produced by Luke from Hamilton filming for his school project on one of my sweet little local waters. We followed another angler...despite this picked out some tricky but active rainbow trout....

A few trips after lockdown!

Its been crash and bang back into the remains of the season locally. Some great fish to be had. I have run both guided and social trips. Recent catches as below with some happy faces. Certainly I appreciate when we (guides) are supported locally!!...

That time of the year!

Finally its nice to be able to fish and many are making up for lost time after Covid. Super nice to catch a few recently and capture a few action shots. I have trips available through winterrobfishnz@gmail.com...

Waste not want not!

With plenty of time over Covid lockdown many of us have had time to stock up out fly boxes. A few of my favorite flies below, and some I want to give a wirl during the winter....

Its been a long haul but super cool to get out again post Covid

Super happy to get my head into a better space and catch a few fish in stunning pocket water after a few hours on my local stream near Pirongia, fish were not huge but a good chance to go light both in tippet and in rod selection. ...