Hey Up! I hope you are all well,

The sun has been blasting down the last few days, and its been the hottest days of the year, getting into the 30's.

I've been busy this last week with casting instruction and guiding, its been such a pleasure to help others become more efficient in casting.

Last week with Tam my client ,we had a good we hatch of mayflies on the middle section of the Mataura river, It was awesome to see the trout's white mouths opening on the surface, Tam managed a few using a size 16 extra hi-VIZ mayfly. We also had a few hook ups over the next few days mainly on size 16 killer nymphs. On one river we came across a huge fish (well into double figures) we decided to call big Charlie, on the way up the river Tam had a go at him, but he was very wary and spooked at the first few casts, on the way back down Tam had another crack at him and this time got the perfect cast over him and Charlie engulfed the size 18 king pogo nymph ,tied off a size 14 NZ mayfly bomb. Charlie was as big as I've seen in these areas and soon Tam was running up the river ,then down then across, but in the end Big Charlie spat the hook, and Tam was left out of breath and devastated! A shame but a memory he and myself will never forget - Long live Big Charlie!.

I've been getting up at 5am so I can at last mange a  wee fish before work, this ones on a wee
NZ brown mayfly nymph.

I've been sneaking out early at 5.30am with my camera and 4wgt, before work, and having some fun mainly using my NZ creeper fly. Its amazing that I had never used it much before on the Mataura river , after all these years we all learn something new every season, that's what I love about this game.

Fish love my NZ creeper  imitation!

I've also been having a blast trying to catch a fish right beside the local bridge, to prove you don't need a helicopter to catch fish! It is amazing to study and watch how these trout in NZ behave and learn so quick, when something is not right!

Day 1- tried to find him ,after some one told me he saw a trout in the wee pool, next to the bridge where I have never seen a trout before- so I thought - I've got to catch him! -saw him ,but too late spooked him.
Day 2- - He took the fly but I failed to set the hook!
Day 3- I hooked him ,but broke off when he went straight into the willows.
Day 4 - He spooked at the sight of the very small indicator.
Day 5- No indicator, thinnest tippet, a size 16 killer nymph, but he spooked at the tiny plop of the nymph landing.
Day 6 - I stayed in bed and let him win .
Day 7 - Never saw him again in that pool, but caught his mate, who must have been heading back to the main river after spawning as now the creek is starting to dry up, on a size 14 NZ brown mayfly bomb.

Sometimes you don't need a helicopter to catch good fish!

You have all been asking for gift vouchers so I've got them printed for you!  You can't go wrong with a Stu's fly shop gift voucher for your loved ones or enemy! You can order them direct off the front page of the site .

Just into the shop is a new neat Landing Net Holder by the NZ company Smith's Creek, Its a little adjustable holder on a alloy plate that fits onto any belt. It saves you having a net swinging about on your back and is sure to be a winner.

Some new hard bite Tungsten Star Cleats that fit into the star grip spaces on the soles, are now available for your Simms, Streamtread & Vibram soled boots that will give you heaps more grip and save your soles of your boots at wear points. I've just put 5 on each of my boots and instantly noticed the better grip, being tungsten as well they will probably out-last the boots.

The Source Iceland DVD is now in stock, I liked this film , its got some good camera work and footage in it. Iceland ! yes, I never thought about fishing there, but after watching the film, I would not mind going there, the film follows some keen anglers exploring the fishing and types of fish to be caught in Iceland - Char, Trout, Sea Trout and Salmon, yes they are all in this film.

My new Fishpond order should be here any day now ,and yes the 2 new style backcountry packs, will be in the shop . So check them out in the store. I will have limited stock so best you be quick before Xmas if you want one.

Bionic Brown beetles have been the go too fly down on the lower Mataura in the riffles , tied beside a hi-VIZ mayfly on a short piece of tippet - as soon as the sight fly goes down lift the rod and there will be a trout on the beetle. Even though you may see no beetles on the water the fish will come up for them as they have been feeding on them throughout the night.

Today is gravel day, hopefully about 40 tons of the stuff will be dumped in the carpark  and once its spread over the car park it will stop you all having muddy boots when you visit the shop, plus its going to make the car park look pure dead sexy.

Super Kev my neighbor also managed to help me get rid of the last tree root off the property which I think may have been a wee bit too big for his new truck!

Have a great day and keep smiling :)
Thank you all for your Support.

Cheers
Stu

Yes, I always use a orange fly line! and I catch huge trout  this one was on
my creeper fly tied on a strong Tiemco hook.

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