1 August - 2016 IN THIS ISSUE Page 1

August - 2016
IN THIS ISSUE
Page 1 Page 2 Page 6 Page 10 Page 11 Page 11 Page 13 Page 17 Page 19 Page 22 Page 23 Page 25 -
Presidents Report
Fishing Report
What’s Happening – Club Nights / Club Trips / Events
NSFF Calendars
Salt Water Fly Trip To Atutaki
Are The Days Of Didymo Numbered?
Indicator Nymphing Tips (Follow Up)
The Ultimate Fly Fishing Accessory
The Effect Of Didymo On Fish Life
RISE Fly Fishing Film Festival 2016
Editor’s Note
General Club Information Plus Committee Members Contact Details
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
With my “typing” arm in a sling at the moment, I have been thinking how I might put
together an article without too much extra effort. Fortunately, the ITM fishing show
programme on Saturday night, reminded me of a trip I made back in 2005 travelling
through the MacKenzie Country so rather than repeat myself, I will let the original article
speak for itself.
“I missed the club meeting last month for a week’s winter holiday in and around
Queenstown. While I didn’t actually do any fishing (most of the good fishing water is
closed at this time of the year), I did pay attention to the various opportunities available
which could be taken advantage of on a future trip.
My involvement with big trout has generally been restricted to Lake Otamangakau but
compared to some of the “Mainland” specimens they would probably fit into the “below
average” category. Some of the trout, both browns and rainbows, living around the wharf
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at Queenstown and viewable from a chamber under the wharf, would easily tip the scales
at 10kg but even they are small alongside their relatives from further north.
Between lakes Tekapo and Pukaki in the famed MacKenzie country, there is a man-made
canal carrying water from the former to the latter, eventually to be directed down the
Waitaki River and the hydro dams. Situated on the canal, close to the Lake Pukaki end, is
the Mt Cook Salmon farm. Access to the farm is quite easy over a sealed road running
alongside extending from S. H. 6 south of Lake Tekapo and rejoining the highway about
10 minutes’ drive north of Twizel, the most convenient place to stay if visiting the area.
The farm raises Chinook salmon in large nets anchored in the current of the canal and the
fish are fed high protein pellets to facilitate a rapid growth rate. Outside the nets, there is a
large population of browns and rainbows which must have come down the canal from Lake
Tekapo but which ,given the twice daily feeding regime where many of the pellets fall
through the nets, are more than happy to lie around in current getting bigger and bigger
AND BIGGER!
Four weeks ago a visiting lady angler caught a 48lb brown trout which her husband had to
land for her and a month earlier a brown of similar dimensions was caught by a local fly
fisherman. On the wall of the small shop attached to the farm operation there is also a
photograph of another local fly fisherman holding a beautiful rainbow jack of 25lb’s. The
fishing is very relaxed, (other than the struggle to land these monsters), with a seldom used
road as the backcast and a sloping bank of about 2 or 3 metres down to the water. The canal
is open all year (I didn’t have my rod with me!) and according to the staff, the evening rise
through the summer months is pretty incredible.
Interestingly, almost any fly will do but the most effective are small and brown just like a
salmon pellet! One of the guys at the farm told me that someone had actually caught a good
sized fish on a cigarette butt. I would think that the best rig would be a fast sinking line on
a reasonably heavy rod and a leader of 12-15lb’s, an agile buddy with a large, long handled
net, a good quality camera and a friendly taxidermist.
So if you are going to the South Island, forget Christchurch, Queenstown, Wanaka, etc. go
to Twizel and catch the fish of your dreams!”
Dave Symes
President.
FISHING REPORT
Auckland / Waikato
No report for our ‘local’ waters, has anyone been out for a fish?
Rotorua
Not a thing to be found anywhere on the current fishing in Rotorua either unfortunately.
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Taupo Region
The cold, wet, unsettled weather has continued for most of the week with last Sunday
probably the coldest day I've experienced on the river for a few years. Despite a couple of
thermal layers and a good waterproof jacket the rain and wind chill went right through me
and I for one was glad to get home to the log burner.
There were a lot of anglers around with a number of clubs in town holding their annual
drinking championships. It did make fishing a little more difficult and most of the river
received a lot of attention. But in fairness I think things had already began to slow down
again in the lead-up to the weekend.
That being said anglers were enjoying themselves and I spotted several returning with fish.
By Monday things had quietened down but the Tongariro was back to its unpredictable
best.
I started early on the TLB of an empty Boulder Reach and although I made a couple of
passes it just wasn't happening. I was soon joined by two others but when I left about an
hour later none of us had so much as touched a fish.
But what a difference a day can make!
Next morning as I crossed Red Hut bridge it was already "drizzling" as I slid my way along
the muddy track that leads to Boulder Reach. My plan was to fish all the way up to the
bottom of Big Bend ... and for a change it worked because I struck fish straight away.
Unfortunately by the time I got to The Fan it was chucking it down and the river was
already on its way back up again.
So far I'd caught a real mixed bag of fish. But there were some cracking jacks amongst
them and as luck would have it a few more to come. This mixture of fresh and earlier
running fish set the scene for the rest of the week and I had some great fishing on other
parts of the river.
I prefer to fish three flies when I'm nymphing because it allows you to hedge your bets.
We're all aware how effective glo bugs can be during the runs. But they don't always work
as well with fish that have been in the river a little while. I find I do better using a three fly
set up e.g., bomb, nymph, glo bug or bomb, glo bug, nymph or taking off the egg and
mixing caddis and may fly patterns.
Some anglers get a little edgy about casting three flies but providing you have a fairly
smooth casting style and space the flies accordingly you'll have very few problems.
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The measurements below are just a guide, they don't have to be exact. You can make each
section longer if you like but it’s usually best not to go shorter.
I've found I get much better results if I don't crowd the flies, doing so seems to confuse or
even spook the fish.
As long as the gap between the bomb to middle fly is longer than the gap between the
middle to end fly you should be ok.
A four inch difference works for me ... so 18 inches and 14 inches.
I mentioned the Fan pool earlier. This pool seems to change after every fresh and looks
nothing like it did when I first began fishing the Tongariro. Currently it’s much wider and
although the obvious lie has moved further towards the opposite bank it’s easily reached
because the TRB is much shallower.
It’s a big piece of water now, so take your time and explore all of it ... particularly if the
river is carrying some colour. When it’s clear it’s quite easy to spot fish in here and they're
not always where you'd expect them to be.
Like most of the upper river pools if you catch it right it can hold good numbers of fish
during the winter runs. But I think the likes of Big Bend, Boulder or the Blue are probably
more consistent.
A word of caution ... there is a doozy of a snag in the middle of the seam that runs the entire
length of the pool.
When you get around halfway up, if you look across to the opposite bank you'll see two
trees leaning out over the water. Take a line off them and the snag is a couple of rod lengths
upstream. It’s not a problem as you approach it from the downstream position because your
nymphs won't have sunk deep enough. Even if you cast on top of it the current will drag
them away before they get down. But when you're upstream of it and your flies get
anywhere near it towards the end of the drift, say goodbye to them because it will gobble
up your nymphs all day long.
It’s been cold and wet again for most of the day and its pouring down as we head towards
Saturday.
Looks like a better day tomorrow with a return to fine days and frosty mornings from
Sunday on. At the moment the flows are back to 40 cumecs after the latest fresh. But once
the rain clears it should settle into the thirties with that nice milky green colour ... perfect.
I've had a couple more browns since the last report ...again, they're not big.
But there are some really cracking rainbow jacks in the river ... and it wouldn't surprise me
if some big hens joined them in the next few days.
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Tight lines – Mike (5th August)
www.tongarirofishingguide.co.nz
Fishy Tales
If you do have a report, success story, or anecdote to share then just send it to
[email protected] . Happy Fishing and Tight Lines – Freddy Da Fish.
Andrew MacPherson with a nice Rotorua Brownie of 6.5pd (weighed) that followed him
home for dinner.
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2016/17 SUBS ARE NOW DUE
2016/17 subscriptions are now due. If you would like to continue your NSFF Club
membership please make your payment to the Club by Tuesday 19 July 2016. The
following payment options are available:



internet banking to the Club's bank account: North Shore Flyfishers Incorporated
ASB A/c #: 12-3209-0190179-00 (please include your name or membership
number as a reference);
by cheque made out to North Shore Flyfishers Inc and posted to the Club's
mailing address (PO Box 31387 Milford, Auckland 0741); or
payment in person to John Cuthbertson (Club Treasurer) at one of the next two
Club nights.

You must be a paid up member of the Club to go on Club sponsored trips or participate in
tuition activities. Please pay promptly to avoid disappointment.
The 2016/17 subscriptions are as follows: Adult membership $60, Junior (under 18 years)
$30, and Family (up to 2 adults and 2 children) $90.
QUOTABLE QUOTES
In the morning be first up, and in the evening, last to go to bed, for they that sleep catch
no fish.
Old English Proverb
LAST CLUB NIGHT
Last month we had Jared Goedhart talking to us about everything Turangi. It was a very
enjoyable night and thank you once again Andrew.
NEXT CLUB NIGHT – 7.30pm 16th August
This month we have a first aid presentation by St Johns. The program will include the
following: Adult CPR (calling 111)– 20 minutes, Chest Pain – 15 minutes, Stroke – 10
minutes, Bleeding – 15 minutes. It will also cover, near drowning, insect bite reactions,
Head knocks / broken bones. This is sure to be an interesting an informative night, and
we hope to see you there.
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CHOOSING THE RIGHT FLY ROD
Our own resident webmaster Phil Gates, has put a couple of very helpful videos onto the
Club Website, www.nsff.org.nz . They are both by Tim Rajeef, a world champion fly
caster. One is about ‘Choosing The Right Fly Rod’ and the other is about ‘Light Vs
Heavy Weight Fly Rods’. These are excellent informative videos and both are under 3
minutes long, so they are short, and to the point. Check them out.
INFORMATION SHARING
As well as having a guest speaker on Club Nights we would like to give an opportunity for
some of our own Club Members to share knowledge on any fly fishing subjects.
Member Speakers
Besides having a major Speaker on Club Nights we would like to have some of our own
Club Members to speak on any fly fishing subject for 10 – 15 minutes or so.
Some subjects could be:
Local fishing spots.
National / Taupo fishing regulations.
Riparian rights, access.
Clothing and equipment ideas / tips.
Saltwater fishing, what rods / flies.
So, Members please get out there and do some research to enlighten us all.
TIPS AND TRICKS
The committee can arrange club members to offer advice for subjects requested by
members – also as a 10 minute introduction prior to the Club Night speaker. If there is an
issue that you want information on, or a tip or trick you need to know about; then contact
any Committee Member with the detail. We will arrange for someone to respond at a club
night with the answer or advice.
CLUB TRIPS 2016
February –Ngongotaha River and Rotorua Lakes
March – Lake Otamangakau
May – Ngongotaha River and Rotorua Lakes
August – Tongariro and Tauranga Taupo
October – Kai Iwi Lakes
November – Tuition weekend
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The NSF committee arrange various Club Trips over the year to different parts of the
country. If you would like to be involved, or have an idea for a trip please let one of your
committee know.
WHY WE FISH
People hunt and fish for a thousand different reasons, but I suspect for many of us with
feet planted in both indoor and outdoor realms, it should not be a case of either/or,
but both/and.
DeMott
This is what happens when we’re not around. At least 14 solid Trout up a crystal Rotorua
area spawning stream. Photo courtesy of Chris Mitchell.
FISHING BUDDIES SOUGHT
The intention is to display a list of names of Club Members that are keen on finding a
‘buddy’ to go fishing with, either on a regular basis or just for a day. In essence it’s a flyfishing dating service…
Name
Ron Blair
Availability
Contact Details
Anytime, now has a brand new 14.4
Marco with 60hp e_tec Evenrude for
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serious fishing Salt or Fresh
Anytime but would prefer
Mid-week
[email protected]
Charles Wilma
home 09 963 2020
mobile 021 067 3253
[email protected]
Les Rose
Retired and is happy to take another home 09 4183634
person fishing during the week.
Has a small 2 person boat.
Daryl Sinclair
Anytime he can get a pass.
[email protected]
Graham Carter
Lives in Hamilton, keen on
021 026 00437
weekday / mid-week trips.
07 855 1833
Lloyd Altham
Has 12' Pontoon boat /15 HP Honda. Mob. 021 0295 9167
Available most time, but prefer
Home 09 420 3120
weekdays.
[email protected]
Matt Meikle
Available both week days and
09 908 1909
Weekends
027 285 7521
So, if you are keen to find someone to share the cost and the fun of a fishing expedition
with, then send in your details and we will get it all started. Send details to
[email protected]
JOKE OF THE MONTH
Seen during a conference:
FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A
DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR.
Notice in a farmer's field:
THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE
BULL CHARGES.
Message on a leaflet:
IF YOU CANNOT READ, THIS LEAFLET WILL TELL YOU HOW TO GET
LESSONS.
On a repair shop door:
WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING. (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR - THE
BELL DOESN'T WORK).
FLY TYING
A reminder that fly tying tuition will commence at 6.45 pm before the June Club Night.
Details were announced in the last newsletter. If you plan to participate and have not yet
advised Dennis Smith, please e-mail him. ([email protected].) We hope to have a
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camera set-up which will project an enlarged image of the tying sequence on the side wall
screen.
NSFF CLUB CALENDARS
We are still having some difficulties with the pricing of the Calendars but hope to have that
sorted soon. In the meantime anyone who would like to send through their photos to
potentially go into the Club Calendar please do so. All fly-fishing related photos are
eligible, be they of fish caught, beautiful scenery, or anything else fly-fishing at all.
Please send your photos through to [email protected]. These photos are for use in the Club
Calendar only and will not be distributed elsewhere, shared online, or even used in the Club
Newsletter without your express written permission.
HOUSE FOR RENT IN TURANGI
The Auckland Freshwater Anglers Club has very generously made their House in Turangi
available to North Shore Flyfishers Members.
It sleeps 7 (8 if a couple) and is $25 per night per person - however the 'house' is $100 only
per night which for more than four people is the way to go.
If you are interested in this then contact Ian Rodger from the AFA Club.
Ian Rodger – AFAC – Mob: 274 996000 Email: [email protected]
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SALT WATER FLY TRIP TO ATUTAKI
This is a feeler request going out to any ‘loco’ Anglers, salt or fresh, about putting together
an incredible trip to the infamous ‘ATUTAKI Island in the Cook Islands.
I think you’ve probably all heard about the fantastic fishing there and it should be on
everyone’s FISH BUCKET LIST. Anyone slightly interested should get in touch with the
steering committee, (ME). Male, Female, Kids, all are welcome.
It may happen this year, next year, or after I’m 6ft under, but it will happen!!!
Call Ron Blair (09) 834 8841 or 027 5006 336 or [email protected] . Spend it now
before the govt. takes it away!!
ARE THE DAYS OF DIDYMO NUMBERED?
Doug Stevens- www.nzfishing.com – 18/07/2016
Unbeknown to most anglers, some research by a Kiwi and two Canadian scientists has the
potential to be the silver bullet we have been looking for to control and possibly remove
didymo from our waters.
Didymo as we know became the scourge of many waterways in New Zealand over a decade
ago. While it is not known where it originated from, it suddenly bloomed in many rivers
(and now lakes) making the angling experience less than optimal to say the least. In a very
short space of time this invasive alga spread across and smothered the beds of many
waterways. Not only was it unsightly and unpleasant but it also altered the rivers ecosystem in ways we are still coming to terms with.
No other organism has been such a disaster to our fishing as the appearance and rapid
spread of didymo.
What we know about didymo makes it highly unusual. Didymo is an algae that prefers
clean water with low nutrient levels – often the most pristine rivers and lakes we like to
fish. It multiplies rapidly yet is a fragile organism easily killed by dilute concentrations of
such things as bleach or even dishwashing liquid. And it can be spread by a single drop of
infected water.
Yet there are some strange aspects to didymo. It cannot survive in spring creeks and has
never been found in any North Island river.
Itinerant anglers have long been blamed as the main agents of its spread. A large scale biosecurity “Check, Clean, Dry” campaign was launched in 2004 and then abandoned in 2008
when it became apparent that stopping the spread was not feasible. Felt soled boots were
found to be able to harbour didymo for weeks and so were banned. And wardens were
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stationed at the interislander ferry terminals (but not airports) to ensure no infected gear
crossed Cook Strait.
It is doubtful to say the least that these haphazard responses were effective and no angler
(or kayaker, 4-wheel drive enthusiast or hiker) did not bring some infected gear to the North
Island.
So why is didymo not in the North Island?
The short answer is the presence of phosphorus in the water.
If a river has more than 2 parts per billion (and yes that is billion not million) of phosphorus
present, didymo will not bloom. The North Island which has a large percentage of volcanic
soil has a high level of natural phosphorus present. The South Island which has limited
volcanic soils and low natural phosphorus levels so can sustain didymo. (Banks Peninsula
is an exception being of volcanic origin and the rivers and streams there are didymo free).
Ah, I hear some of you exclaim – but what about the super-phosphate the farmers put on
their soil? Surely that contains phosphorus that will leach into the waterways and so inhibit
didymo.
The answer is that this is true – where super phosphate does leach into the waterways
didymo is inhibited. But where rivers and streams exit a clean lake (think the Buller, Clutha,
Gowan and Waitaki as examples) didymo flourishes. Lakes allow phosphorus to settle out
so when they flow into the headwaters of a river there is usually very little phosphorus
present.
Cathy Kilroy from NIWA, one of the foremost researchers into didymo, states that didymo
cannot become established in the North Island. The naturally occurring phosphorus present
in the water in the North Island stops it. The Tongariro and other such waters are safe. And
if a way could be found to allow the diffusion of phosphorus into infected waters in the
South Island, then there is a good chance that waters in the South Island could at the very
least, have didymo controlled to a manageable level. Cathy does sound some warnings
however and for further information we suggest you read the summary of her findings on
www.nzfishing.com.
But I am sure all anglers will agree that this is great news and worth celebrating. We need
to support the scientists such as Cathy Kilroy at NIWA and encourage them to continue
this valuable research which will benefit all water users, not just anglers. We at
www.nzfishing.com are putting forward a petition to have Fish & Game’s Council consider
revoking the felt sole ban for the North Island in the first instance.
And if it is found that didymo can be controlled, we will also be pushing for this ban to be
extended across the country. If you wish to read more about this research and to keep
abreast of developments, please visit nzfishing.com and sign up for the newsletters. This
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is possibly one of the most positive developments in our fishing history since those first
trout were released.
Fikrit at it again. Another one of his beautiful BIG Brownies. Caught in another of his
‘secret’ spots. Photo courtesy of Fikrit Chinassi.
INDICATOR NYMPHING TIPS (FOLLOW UP)
www.rodandreel.co.nz – 18/07/2016
Yes, the winter fishery has now kicked in and the fish have started to move from the lakes
in to the rivers! Our last article was focused on looking at Indicator Nymphing in the winter,
and how we set our rigs up relative to the conditions we are going to fish. This follow up
article is focused on actually fishing this technique and some tips and tricks which may
help in your success rate this winter.
Firstly, which part of the river should I be fishing? The easiest way to address this is to
‘think like a fish’. In winter we regularly have larger water flows, more current and there
can often be silt or ‘colour’ in the water. The main focus of the fish is to head upstream to
their spawning grounds, in ultimately, the easiest way possible. So we need to think about
the path of least resistance – what would I do if I was a fish? This means, where will the
fish travel upstream, whilst trying to use the least amount of effort. Places that create slower
currents, out of the fast water – such as current seams, bottom drop-off’s, rocks, etc are all
areas that the trout will move in to and hold up to recover and rest, following their
movement upriver. By targeting these areas, you will find your success rate should go up.
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Also, when the river is flooding and ‘coloured’ up the fish will often move to the shallower
edges, or small side streams that are coming in. They do this as they don’t like the silt as it
essentially hard to breathe in. By moving in to shallower, and ultimately slower water, the
silt drops out of this allowing them to breathe easier. It just so happens that this water is
also easier to rest in from the larger flows of the main current. So try targeting the edges
and some of the smaller side streams when the river is flooding, you might surprise yourself
at what you hook in to!
Try targeting different water. Invariably as indicator nymph fisherman we generally target
the heads and middle sections of pools / runs, but neglect the tails sections. This can often
be because we aren’t prepared to change up our leader length (shorten it), our fly weight,
or are unsure just where to target in these areas. All of those fish that are moving up-river
have to come up through those fast rapid sections, and what is the first thing they then want
to do when they get through them . . . rest! This is also quite often the area that you find
the brown trout holding, as the current is slower and they can then expend less energy. By
being able to shorten your leaders and focusing on the ‘pockets’ of water – in behind and
in front of boulders, in the depressions in the bottom, etc, you may just find that you open
up a whole new fishery you hadn’t ever really targeted.
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How do I make sure I’m getting the correct drift? Ultimately your drift will be dependent
on where you initially put your flies, where your indicator sits and the current / depth of
the water. Yes, there are quite a few variables, but by doing certain things you can make
sure you are covering them. Firstly you need to get your flies where you want them. This
all comes down to your casting – whether it be standard overhead or roll casting, practice
and being patient are the keys. If you are finding you aren’t getting the distance you want,
or your flies are dropping around your head, then invariably you are ‘trying to hard’. We
often try harder, and put more effort in to the cast. Where this actually often means we are
not letting the line roll out properly and are bringing the rod forward too early. Often we
find the more you ‘try’ the worse it gets! Slow down! By slowing everything down, you
will let your rod load as it should and also let your line roll out properly. Invariably by just
slowing down, we can make a big difference to our casting. Yes, there are also lots of other
factors in casting, but slowing down is one tip that can often make a BIG difference.
Where is your indicator? I ask this, because this is also where your flies are as they drift.
No matter how far across you get your flies, they will always ultimately end up under your
indicator, over the space of your drift. This is especially so once they have reached the
bottom. If you are landing your flies where you want them but your indicator is 2m closer
to you, this will be where your flies end up. So aim to always get your indicator in to the
position where you want your flies to drift, whether it be on your initial cast, or as a follow
up roll cast / mend, once they have landed in the water. Watch your indicator closely. Often
we are waiting for that ultimate take, where the indicator dives under and shoots off! But
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how many times have the fish taken your flies and spat them out without you even knowing
it? Fish are extremely effective at sucking something in and spitting it out in less than
seconds and this is transferred as a short pause or slight bobble in your indicator. Be
prepared to strike this, especially if it looks even slightly out of the ordinary.
Shorten up your line on the water. We know that contact is key in any fishing, so the more
line we have out the harder it is to keep in touch with our flies. How often have you cast
upstream and watched your indicator come back down past you, whilst your flyline sits on
the water right in front of you? One trick we use to get more contact with the flies, is to lift
the line off the water (and even the indicator sometimes) as it drifts back towards you. By
lifting your rod high out in front, taking as much line off the water, thus taking slack out
of the line, you will have much better contact with your flies and ultimately you will
register more takes and catch more fish! This will also keep your drift more natural, as
there will be less line drag on your flies.
Make sure you are getting your flies down to where the fish are. Too often we aren’t
actually getting down to where the trout are holding, or your flies are only getting in to the
strike zone in the last part of your drift. When fishing indicators, you usually know your
flies have reached the bottom as your indicator will slow, or start ‘ticking’ along as it drifts.
If this is not happening for a large part of your drift, it can quite often be due to not having
enough weight to get down. In this case you are better to initially go too heavy, in which
case you may start getting ‘hung up’ on the bottom. If this happens, it is then easy to change
to slightly lighter nymphs and you know you are getting down. To start light, you may
spend quite a bit of time assuming you are down, but actually your flies are drifting over
the top of the fish. Once again, in winter, if you flies aren’t on the bottom, you won’t be
catching!
Handy Tip:
If the fish are spooky and the river is low, try down sizing your indicator to have less of a
presence on the water.
Handy Tip:
Making up pre-tied lengths of leader before hitting the river can be an excellent way to
cut down on rigging time. Make up leader lengths in different weights and lengths to
cover a wide variety of situations.
Handy Tip:
Try swinging your flies through the end of your drift and "hanging" them at the longest
point, this can be very effective and often pick you up so rogue fish.
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THE ULTIMATE FLY FISHING ACCESORY
www.stuff.co.nz - 21/07/2016
Long Named Bentley is the Ultimate Angling Accessory.
The Bentley Bentayga Fly Fishing by Mulliner.
Imagine turning up at the Tongariro River in this. It's the ultimate vehicle for wealthy
motorists with a love of the great outdoors - the world's most expensive SUV, specially
kitted-out to go fly fishing.
The vehicle is the Bentley Bentayga, which has just gone on sale in New Zealand priced
from $398,000, and the special model is the Bentayga Fly Fishing by Mulliner, which is
fitted with all the equipment necessary for a successful day on the river or lake.
And we mean ALL the equipment, specially hand-crafted by Mulliner, which is Bentley's
bespoke coachbuilding division.
The accessory kit slips into a rear of the Bentley, and can be removed.
Four fishing rods are stored in special tubes trimmed in leather with linen cross-stitching
and located on the underside of the parcel shelf. A pair of landing nets in matching
leather bags are stored in a bespoke, carpet-trimmed hard pocket built into the side of the
boot.
At the heart of it all are three individual, leather-trimmed units: a master tackle station; a
refreshment case; and a waterproof wader-stowage trunk.
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The master tackle station and refreshment case sit on a sliding tray that allows for easy
access. Inside the master tackle unit is a special burr walnut-veneered drawer containing a
fly-tying vice and tools, as well as a selection of cotton, hooks and feathers. Beneath this
are four aluminium reel cases trimmed in leather with linen cross-stitching.
The interior of the refreshment case is trimmed in linen leather, and contains up to three
metal flasks and a set of Mulliner fine-china tableware, as well as a separate food storage
compartment. With a quilted leather finish on top, it can also be removed entirely and used
as additional seating.
Waders and boots are conveniently stowed in a hand-crafted leather-wrapped wood trunk,
lined with hard-wearing neoprene material to keep the items in a waterproof environment
after use.
Of course, all three units can be removed from the Bentayga's boot whenever maximum
luggage space is required.
Waterproof boot-floor and rear-sill-protection covers are discreetly integrated into the rear
of the Bentayga Fly Fishing by Mulliner, as is an electronic dehumidifier unit to ensure the
area remains fresh and dry.
For the first time with Bentayga, Mulliner 'Welcome Lights' are also featured. These are
built into the underside of the doors and project the Bentley and Mulliner logos on to the
ground when the doors are opened.
Mulliner director Geoff Dowding describes the vehicle as the ultimate angling accessory.
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"Fly fishing is a sport that requires a variety of equipment and clothing, so it was essential
to package the rods, reels, waders, boots and fly-tying station into the car in a luxurious,
accessible and elegant way – and the end result is truly extraordinary."
(We can always dream….Ed.)
THE EFFECT OF DIDYMO ON FISH LIFE
Doug Stevens – www.nzfishing.com
Recently a study by NIWA was published that investigated what the effect of didymo
infestations had on fish life. Until this study was done there was conflicting views as to
whether didymo was detrimental to fish life and if it was, to what extent.
Didymo In NZ
Didymo was first discovered in New Zealand waters in 2004. Although some scientists
have suggested that it may have lain largely dormant in our waters for long before that, it
is probable that it was brought to NZ from a region of the world where it is indigenous.
Since its discovery in the Waiua river in Southland, it has spread and is now found
throughout many waters around the South Island yet has yet to be found in any North
Island water. (see previous paper on Didymo for a discussion as to the reasons for this).
Despite the amount of research on didymo, until Jellyman and Harding published their
paper, there was no hard evidence on the effect of didymo on fish populations.
Drift Dives
Fish and Game undertake regular drift dives where they assess the number and size of the
fish in a particular stretch of river. By doing this over a number of years they can look at
cycles and trends in fish numbers.
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Fish and Game officers undertaking a drift-dive fish survey
What Fish And Game Found In The Nelson Region
The annual report on the Nelson Marlborough fishery was published in May 2016. It found
that in some of the rivers such as the Buller and Takaka which have dense didymo growths,
fish numbers and the condition of the fish was down. This indicated that there appeared to
be a direct correlation between didymo density and fish numbers (and fish size and
condition).
Anecdotal Reports
At nzfishing.com we receive reports on the fishing around the country. There seems to be
a lot of confusion about the effects of didymo though there is consensus that in areas where
didymo is found in heavy concentrations, fishing is avoided. This is borne out by angler
surveys that show that angler numbers are down significantly on rivers such as the Buller
and Takaka during times when didymo blooms are highest.
While these declines in angler activity of these infected waters may be due to aesthetic
reasons (it is not a nice experience fishing rivers that have a thick coating of didymo), it is
also assumed that the decline is partly due to lower fish numbers.
The Cawthron Study
In 2006, Shearer, Hay and Hayes conducted a small research project on the Mararoa and
Oreti rivers to see what impact the didymo blooms were having on trout and other aquatic
populations.
From their studies they found there to be no noticeable impact and stated they found "no
significant negative effect attributable to didymo on invertebrate drift density and
biomass". (For anglers this read that they found that didymo did not seem to greatly impact
on the food trout targeted and consequently trout numbers and size).
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But Shearer et al were aware of the limitations of their study. They noted they had studied
only a very small sample of waterways and the study was conducted in autumn and winter
and had not looked at the spring / summer months when trout were most actively feeding
(and didymo blooms were at a peak).
It was not until ten years later that Jellyman (NIWA) and Harding (University of
Canterbury) conducted a more widespread investigation examining all fish, not just trout,
and their findings cast a very different light on the problem that didymo causes.
Jellyman And Harding's Study
Jellyman and Harding conducted a detailed study on 20 South Island rivers to see the
impact of didymo on fish and other aquatic life. This large scale research project found the
following:
 Where
there was heavy didymo infestation, the primary food sources of trout
(mayflies, caddis and stoneflies) was greatly reduced
 As a consequence both native fish and introduced fish species (most notably trout)
were greatly reduced in numbers with the total fish biomass declining by up to 90%.
 Juvenile trout were found at less than half of the study sites where didymo regularly
blooms.
This very important study has shown that didymo is not just an unpleasant inconvenience
to anglers but it is having a highly detrimental effect on fish numbers in didymo infected
waters.
The Economic Impact Of Didymo
Fishing provides recreational activities for many New Zealanders and is an important part
of the tourism industry with tens of thousands of tourists coming to New Zealand to fish
annually.
In 2011 a MAF report on the economic impact of didymo to the economy found that
between 2006 and 2011 didymo's financial impact was $127.8 million and from 2011 to
2020 would be between $210.6 and $845.8 million.
Conclusions
From the anecdotal evidence, Fish and Game surveys and now the hard evidence of the
research by Jellyman and Harding, it is clear that didymo is having a highly detrimental
effect on our freshwater fisheries. This is leading to other consequences such as the
economic impact it is having, particularly on remote rural communities where fishing
tourism is an important resource.
With the evidence that fish biomass can be reduced by up to 90%, we at nzfishing.com
state it is time that more money was put into research into how the didymo problem can
be addressed.
As it is unlikely, or even impossible, that we will be ever able to totally eradicate didymo,
we need further research such as that carried out by Dr Kilroy, into ways we can control
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it's spread in our waters and how we can reduce the blooms that regularly occur in many
waters.
Further Reading
The above is a very short synopsis of research that should be of interest to all anglers and
those who wish to see our outdoor heritage protected.
If you would like to read more see:
 "Disentangling the stream community impacts of Didyosphenia geninata: How are

higher trophic levels affected" Phillip Jellyman and Jon Harding (2016)
 "Invertebrate Drift and Trout Growth Potential in Didymo (Didymosphenia
geminata) Affected Reaches of the Mararoa and Oreti Rivers: April and August
2006" Karen A. Shearer, Joe Hay and John W. Hayes (2007)
"Didymo and other freshwater pests: Economic Impact Assessment" Deloitte (2011)
RISE FLY FISHING FILM FESTIVAL 2016
Fly fishing’s most celebrated annual event, the RISE Fly Fishing Film Festival, continues its global
tour during August and September in New Zealand. The film tour serves as a stage for the best
Kiwi and Australian filmmakers in the industry to premiere their latest offerings, allowing the
fishing community to share their passion for the sport by attending film screenings across the
country.
In its 11th year, RISE is celebrating over a decade of bringing the best fishing entertainment to
cinemas around the world. New Zealand audiences can look forward to stunning footage from New
Zealand, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia and Alaska presented in high definition on the big screen.
Gin-Clear Media's Freaks of Nature is one of the features of the festival. It is a film about the giant
rainbow trout of Patagonia’s fabled Jurassic Lake. This desolate and wind-swept lake is
undoubtedly home to the largest trout on the planet, a place where ten pound fish are common and
twenty pound plus trout are caught every week.
The festival will also be premiering Parallel Lines the new film from emerging Aussie filmmaker
Benny Godfrey. Filmed in numerous locations across Australia and featuring Brett Wilson and
Shannon Kitchener, two mates whose lives have been shaped by their passion for fly fishing.
For many, RISE Fly Fishing Film Festival has become so much more than just going to the cinema.
These annual fish-fests have become a true celebration of fly fishing, it's an excuse to get together
with friends and reminisce about the past season as well as look forward to the season to come.
Presented by Gin-Clear Media, RISE will screen across New Zealand, including Auckland,
Hamilton, Taupo, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Hawkes Bay, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch,
Dunedin, Gore and Queenstown.
For more information, local show dates, movie trailers etc. visit www.gin-clear.com Corporate
Information
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Gin-Clear Media is a multi-media company based in Te Anau, New Zealand, whose enterprises
include leading feature films, websites, events and exhibitions. RISE is Gin-Clear Media’s 11th
annual film festival, adding to its increasingly important influence in the fly fishing film genre.
For more details, contact:
Silvio Caldelari
Event Manager, Gin-Clear Media
Email: [email protected]
Another one of Chris’s great pics from up a secluded spawning stream. Photo courtesy of
Chris Mitchell.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Snow, ice, and bitter southerly winds, it must be time for the Club Trip to Turangi. This
for me is what fishing in Taupo is all about. That’s not to decry the summer fly fishing
down there, which can be absolutely fantastic. Rather, it is that I learnt how to fly fish as a
kid by heading down to Turangi in the depths of winter, and for many years I didn’t even
know that Trout could be caught at any other time.
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However, a lot of people are put off by the overcrowded waters of Turangi fishing. The
Troll whole under the Tongariro road bridge is a perfect case in point, but if you are
prepared to explore and wander around the different access points to the various rivers then
you can find some relative solitude. My fishing improved dramatically once I started
fishing where the ‘good’ anglers wouldn’t bother to go. These spots were either hard to
access, hard to cast, or overly snaggy for most to bother with, but for me they were a dream
come true. Relative privacy to make mistakes and not feel like an idiot, and plenty of
undisturbed fish well within my limited casting range.
So if you are new to our great sport, or you feel that you don’t have the casting ability to
stand in the big pools and throw the long casts, try a bit of exploring. One great thing about
the rivers, particularly the Tongariro, is that they are always changing, and by wandering
around and trying new areas it is not uncommon to discover the new HOT spot on the river
that no one else knows about. Well, at least for a little while  .
FISHING FUNNIES
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(Opinions expressed in this Newsletter are those of the individual contributors and not neccessarillary those of North Shore Flyfishers Incorporated)
MEMBERS FEEDBACK
We, your committee, are always trying to give you what you want.
But are we??
In order for us to do our job properly we need to have your feedback, positive or negative.
For example, have you been on a club fishing trip? Did you enjoy yourself? What would
you change, if anything? Club nights – what would you like to see more of? Less of? In
short, talk to us.
The contact details of all your committee members are listed at the end of every newsletter.
So if you have something on your mind let us know.
Thank you - Your committee
NSFF CLUB MERCHANDISE
Cap – $15.00 Inclusive of GST
Green or Beige, one size fits all, with embroidered badge.
Embroidered Cloth Badge - $7.50 Inclusive of GST
Brushed Brass Metal Pin Badge - $12.50 Inclusive of GST
If anyone is interested in purchasing these products please either place an order at Club
Nights or at Hunts Sports.
Meetings held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm:
Milford Cruising Club, 24 Craig Road, Milford, North Shore City
NORTH SHORE FLYFISHERS EXECUTIVE
Club Patron - Ian Hunt
President - Dave Symes
486-6257 Takapuna [email protected]
Secretary - Dennis Smith
376-3375
Herne Bay [email protected]
Treasurer - John Cuthbertson
413-6993 Greenhithe [email protected]
Magazine - Duncan Frew 021 648 956 Torbay
[email protected]
Committee - Ron Blair
09 834 8841 Te Atatu
[email protected]
Members
John Dernie
0272 288 616 Glenfield [email protected]
Trevor Jones
09 817 1026 Titirangi
[email protected]
Faith Moon
027 538 1040 Parnel
[email protected]
Mark Norton
0274 740 750 [email protected]
Maurice Parlane 021 650 692 Northcote [email protected]
Roy Richardson
415-8950 Coatesville [email protected]
North Shore Flyfishers Incorporated: P.O. Box 31-387, Milford, North Shore City
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