Aloha Trout Unlimited Members
I wanted to share with you an email that I received from my good friend Maurice in New Zealand. He is sharing his recent outing fishing Rangitikei River.
So what is this all about, eh? Well, “it just happened” we HAD to go out fishing for a few days!
It was the second Sunday after the new season opening day 2021, when the three of us travelled north to Taihape, then east towards the Springvale Bridge, close by to our accommodation for the next four nights. Our wives, partners, spouses, or those not coming, from each home, wished us a pleasant and enjoyable few days fishing. They had made other plans while their men were away?? For two of us anglers this was new water, the other angler had been here only a few times so fishing this part of the Rangitikei River was to be a new experience or a renewable experience. A quick lunch at Taihape, then a drive, “follow the leader”, with Maurice in the front vehicle, hopefully taking a direct route to our accommodation.
Yes, we arrived Ok and unpacked our gear. Grant had unpacked his food bag, gear bag and was pondering what gear arrangement to prepare for some afternoon fishing. And now Grant was on a shelf in the kitchen – no, not the fishing Grant, but the whisky Grant. Clean and comfortable accommodations, with bedding and towels included.
One vehicle was enough to take the two of us, all the one kilometre drive down to the river and back over the bridge. Soon we were into a few flicks from the corner and continuing back towards the bridge. These two anglers successfully hooked several rock fish, and soon with wading out (no wading stick needed says an “experienced angler”) these were rock fish were released for another day.
Our next day took us driving some dirt roads over to the Mangaohane Bridge, and fished upstream. Again the weather was somewhat cold; as we drove over the summit snow fell, and on our return we had hail and sleet. Yet as we were fishing the sun finally came out and the wind dropped away, but the total absence of trout attracted to our flies persisted. Heading back after lunch, the weather turned again nasty, so off home to warm up.
The next day was a choice between going up-stream, down-stream or another location. We choose another location, as going upstream meant crossing the river, where we would all need to link together with wading sticks to get across. At a level of about 3200, there was still much water to cross, even linked together. This was just north of the accommodation and access appeared promising from the road. We had to nearly abseil down this near vertical hillside, as would be goats. The temperature had now risen to a blistering 4C, pretty much the warmest of the entire trip. The casting opportunities were not as promising, as roll casts were needed and the trout still proved elusive. So a scramble back up the cliff face and then back over the Springvale Bridge to join Greg. Alas, the wind and rain came again, so Greg left after lunch, to prepare our accommodation with a warm fire. Here we relaxed and freshened up while NOW, recognizing the trip was ending, the sun finally emerged for a fine afternoon.
Returning to our accommodation that last evening we were tempted to book this same accommodation again for next year, to compare with the events of this trip. As always, over a well-deserved meal and refreshments we re-visited many events of our three days fishing – with emphasis on the humorous times, the major happenings and we seemed to place in abeyance, the many hours spent casting, walking and casting and walking and casting and casting. Overall, what did we learn?
Here is another chance for improvement – we will be back and another trip is planned for early February 2022 – Monday, February 7 to Friday, February 11, 2022 – again for four nights accommodation and three days fishing. Contact Maurice for this newly organised trip. [email protected] (Close off and payment prior to 28 December 2021).
Here we have Maurice’s first attempt at recording on a 2 minute video (MP4) of some events of the trip. (There may or may not be sound). This gives some idea of the accommodation and those brave souls who went fishing in temperatures between 2C and 4C at Springvale on this trip.
As to the hook ups and self-releases – “It just happened!”
By Maurice, Greg and Grant.
Deane Gonzalez — Treasurer Trout Unlimited chapter 403
