Dunedin finally had some rain, not much, about 20mm rainfall on last Friday, and I went back to the river hoping river conditions turned more productive for fishing after the rain.
Actually, the weather was better than it was forecast, was predicted a few showers though. It was another hot day.
The river water level stayed almost the same, but when I started fishing, some fish were already rising which was good. It never happened over the last couple of weeks.
I caught two little ones soon on dry, #16 CDC Quill Dun. They were small but fun!
And at this stage, I had a hunch that I might have some good dry fly action today depending on the time, lights and spots and the main method for the day should be dry & dropper nymph.
This nice fish was rising at the pool where I saw a school of browns last week.
I love the colour!
Good looking fish with awesome colour.
Two more good ones on doropper nymphs.
Lovely hens.
I found the first half of the day easy to fish catching seven fish, supposed because the rain changed the river, but after 2pm the river went quiet.
After a few hours catching no fish, I just found a rising fish along a choppy run where I often take fish, and thought about what fly to cast.
First, I tied a #16 Quill Para Dun on 5X tippet and presented. The fish soon and quickly rose to the dry but refused to take it just before open its mouth.
"OMG!! Refused my Para Dun!"
And I thought I should not have shown the the same fly any more....
"Unnnh, what to cast next??"
I decided to try the most reliable and effective pattern through this summer which was #16 CDC Quill Dun next.
And then...
He emerged to the dry again and did not refuse! Just took it off the top!!
Not that big but a good one at the end of the day.
"You are such a selective fish but the winner is ...me!!"
What a effective pattern CDC Quill Dun. This has definitely been the most pattern that I can rely on.
Fishing has been quite good this river but just missing big ones these days.
Next day I tried to fish for a couple of hours at the river mouth. Because it is February, the time of the year NZ salmon are starting to run the South Island's east coast from now onward.
"Oh,I haven't been here and haven't got my hands on my spey rod for ages!"
Although I kept casting to fish the outgoing tide, I saw no jumping fish and nothing happened whole time. I just got a few sand fly bites which was totally unwelcome...so itchy!!
But I know that this is how fishing going to be like sometimes...
I think I should try somewhere else to fish salmon during this month.
