ANZAC Long weekend

The Nissan Safari all packed up with just about everything you could possibly need for a fishing road trip. We headed down for a few nights based in Lumsden and the last of the fishing left before the low country rivers close on the last day of April. We maanaged to get two good days on the Oreti – hard going with low light at this time making spotting hard (no need to be out the door early) of the year but we managed to get onto a few good fish on the dry fly and find some late evening hatches to attend. We also noted a pool that had 40+ fish in it but none feeding. It looked like they were waiting for a fresh (that was coming) to head on a spawning run. After dark may have been worthwhile but we had other plans.

Gunns camp in the hollyford was waiting for us with a cabin booked and a date with some rainbows. It is big mountain water and with the storm around remmbering wher you are and the safety that goes with an area that gets between 6 – 8 meters of rain per annum – any good downfall can see the river rise quickly. This is a place that fish can be found by pooking in thru dense Fiordland bush and finding pools and then spending time to spot for both rainbow and brown trout. Generally speaking the fish can be hard to catch at this time of the year but with patience, skill, some luck and targeting the ‘bows when you find them can pay dividends. We had 2 good days here with some good bows to show for it and then it was off with a stop in the Eglington and a and some mayfly action before heading back to Queenstown. All in all a greta trip in an amazing landscape with some nice fish to boot.