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My dad used to tell me to slowdown when fishing, typically you’d
catch a fish and rush to pull it in. He would say “this is what you
have been waiting for all day now enjoy it, take you time”. With fly
fishing it’s not just the catching it’s the whole adventure experience. I
recently went out on to some back water with a friend who was once
a full-time guide. We split up he caught and/or lost about fifteen fish,
whereas I caught and/or lost five. As we sat on the bank at the end
of the beat, he said, “you need to slow down”, he told me, “you need
to spend more time on each section, don’t rush through so quick and
your hit rate will go up.” The next day I did just that and he was 100%
correct. But slowing down is what adventure fly fishing is about. You
are not burleying up and simply cranking in big snapper. You are
out in the whole experience from the planning to the travel, to the
discovery, to the environment and then hopefully a few fish.
It does not always work out but the more effort you go to to find
somewhere a bit more remote the better the hit rate. Fish do not
really like people, sure at times you will look down and there will
be one swimming by your boot, but a good example is my
local river the Tongariro, during the last level 4 lock down.
Within a week (because no one was fishing) the numbers in
the shallows doubled, then tripled and as soon as you could
fish for them again – they went back to their normal holding
patterns.
You can pull up to a river get out and stand in the same spot
all day and you will have fun; you will catch fish. BUT you will
also be missing the experience of adventure fly fishing, it is
like having a three-course meal instead of just nibbling on the
entrée.
If you are going to adventure fly fish, you need to gear up for
it. The big heavy, neoprene waders are great for the cold local
rivers, as long as you are not walking too far or having to climb
over stuff. The super cheap plastic waders are thin and light
weight but tend to be uncomfortable, hot and hard to walk in.
If you intend to adventure fish, then invest a pair of lightweight
quality waders and they will make the whole experience a lot
more fun. The second major bit of gear is your boots. These
are more like hiking boots compared to the neoprene waders
and easy to walk in and safer. There are hundreds of options,
material style and sole type. Personally I have been using the
Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots with Vibram® Megagrip
sole a compound specially developed for grip on both wet and
dry surfaces some people add studs, I don’t as a lot of places I
fish have hard round stones which tend to make you slip. The
rest of your gear is about the conditions, rain, sun, wind, and
also where you are going.
Like any hike make sure you tell people where you are
going do not rely on cell phone coverage as it is not always
available. There are a few excellent safety kits on the market
which are a good idea in case of an emergency.
My last piece of advice is enjoy. Its not always about catching
the fish, its about where you are, who you are with (even if you
are alone), and the simple joy of being outside.
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