Southland, NZ – Photo Essay/Trip Report
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After my first foray into fishing the South Island, all I can say is, “wow!”
I was lucky enough to have a conference in Queenstown last week, and naturally, I tagged a couple days onto the end of the trip, rented a car, and headed out to chase some of those famous South Island browns. I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to meet up with Simon and a couple of his mates at his cottage in Southland. Suffice it to say, the trip did not disappoint.
The ‘Trout Cottage’ is an amazing place. Fishing pictures and posters cover the walls, seemingly every fishing magazine ever published can be found in some corner or bookshelf of the place, gear and flies are everywhere, and with a dedicated ‘beer fridge’ next to the ‘food fridge’ covered in fly fishing stickers, I honestly thought I had walked into a dream.
I was dripping with anticipation and excitement, and the first day surely didn’t disappoint. In fact, it surpassed all expectations. The weather was the all-too-rare beautiful southland day…in fact, Greig mentioned that it was only the 4th or 5th day of weather like that that he’s experienced in the 20+ years of his trips to that area. The fishing was honestly mind-blowing, and we no doubt could have done even better than we did. I can’t remember if it was the first cast I made, or even the first fish I cast to, but I do remember that I was on the board early with a beauty of a brown that rose to my dry fly with a lazy, carefree attitude that must be experienced to be appreciated. There is little that compares to the super-slow-motion rise of a large, sighted brown taking a dry. I was promptly walking on cloud nine, where I remained for the rest of the day.
I’ll cut my rambles off there, and let the pictures tell the rest of the story:
Queenstown is a pretty spectacular place:
Kunyo (sp?) hooked up to a beauty:
The reward:
One of the stupid ones that even could managed to trick into eating:
Now you see him:
Now you don’t:
Greig with a solid fish:
Photo time:
Back you go:
The scenery was none-too-shabby:
The results of Simon going into ‘fish rage’ mode:
I can honestly say that Simon is one of the most passionate and skilled fisherman I’ve ever fished with. It was an infectious attitude. Fish in hand, tongue out, thumbs-up…I think this may catch on and replace the ‘grip and grin’:
Day 2 was far too short, but nonetheless, fun was had and fish were caught before we needed to head out to get everyone to the airports in time for flights home.
Thanks again to Simon for having me down, and to Greig and Kunyo for letting me tag along while they were down there. One of my favorite aspects of fly fishing is the people that I meet. This trip was definitely no different. I laughed until my lungs hurt, was humbled by some of the skills that the boys put on display, and generally had a great time.
I think some of the other guys have pictures too, so maybe they’ll throw some up here as well.
All in all, it was outstanding trip:
Thanks Simon!
Tim
Tim, Im really starting to look forward to your reports. Excellent stuff man. I will keep living vicariously through you
Awesome job. Was that same spot featured on one of the TheFlyFishingDVD.com films? I think it was.
Zach
PS this one maybe?
Nice one mate 🙂
Welcome anytime Tim.
I’ll post some pics when I’ve sorted through them.Almost the same river Zach – The river in the DVD is a tributary of the river with willows. The Mataura.
In the pics I see we are just down from the bridge again, by the big willow. 🙂
Great report and pictures Tim! Good to see you and Simon finally hooked up for a little fish rage! I admit I am a little jealous as I would love to be at the Trout Cottage right about now. Guess I will just live through you guys! 😎
Joel
Nice work!
Some pics
Didymo – keep it out!
Washing boots – minimum precautions.
Tim with a couple of nice ones. – putting the wood to them.
On the Mataura. A nice fish on the dry. Several were rising in the foam lines behind the willows.
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