Fly fishing is an art in itself. According to those in the know, it's all about a light touch and a flick of the wrist.
Fly fishing for trout involves casting a feathered fly too light to cast with its own weight. When fly fishing, you are actually casting the line and not the fly, which is why such a thick line is used.
Contrary to what you might think, the waving back and forth of the line has nothing to do with 'fishing the fly'. Casting a fly line involves extending the amount of line in manageable amounts (several metres at a time) until the correct length is reached
The battle between angler and wily trout is at times a delicate yet silent dance, as the former tries to outsmart the fish into swallowing his hook, thinking that it’s food.
Fly fishing is said to be more exciting and rewarding than traditional fishing methods. Some of the differences are:
- The rod is more lightweight than a traditional rod
- The rod is longer than a traditional rod
- The bait is more lightweight and imitates food, rather than being food
- Fishing is more likely to be done in moving water rather than still water
For those new to the art of fly fishing, or for those wanting to track down the perfect fishing spot, Southland has a great range of experienced fishing guides who can lead you on your chosen adventure.
You can learn more about local guides and the fishing season using this link.
You won't find better waters than the Mataura River to experience brown trout fly fishing, thanks to the mayfly hatches. However, if you want to learn more about flying fishing in this country go to 100% Pure New Zealand
