Lower Wairau- Quick afternoon session

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    Posted: 28 Jul 2014 at 11:14pm
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Had to make the trip from Nelson to Blenheim today for a few days for work and found myself with an hour spare before dark. With a brand new carbon bodied RTX25 with the tags still on it in the wagon, I thought it would be rude not to flick a couple of softies around despite the gusty conditions.

Being the first time in the area and predominantly a saltwater fisho, I had no idea where to start, especially seeing as access was pretty limited with me being in shirt and tie type attire LOL

It also doubled as my first attempt with the Savage Soft 4play lures, and can only say good things so far. They swam great, and got nailed second cast which i made a hash of being completely unprepared. This was repeated twice before I finally came up solid on a nice 3-4lb brown.

Ended up landing 3 from 8 hits in about 45 minutes of frantically covering as much of the river as I could before darkness set in (literally running to cover ground, even in work kit), the best around 4-5lb and one knocked on the head for dinner. So yeah, pretty stoked with my first attempt, will be working my arse off tomorrow to try and finish up with a bit more time to give it a better nudge Thumbs Up

Sorry about the quality of the photos, light was getting very low and the phone camera wasn't enjoying it LOL


First of the afternoon



And another 2 casts later



Dinner



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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote flyfisher Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2014 at 11:21pm
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Great river, silly numbers of fish in the lower reaches always willing to grab whatever offering comes across their nose, I'm surprised it's not more popular, it's an excellent winter river choice and yields some decent fish - I've always found the average size around 3-4lbs in winter which is pretty good really. Well done!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Helmsy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Jul 2014 at 11:39pm
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Cheers ff, yeah I was amazed at how well I went considering the time frame, conditions (trying to cast a 1/12th oz head into a strong headwind was interesting), and my complete lack of freshwater experience. It was a pretty small stretch of water I fished too, hopefully I'll get the chance tomorrow to see if it was a fluke or not.

The next time I fish it will hopefully be the proper way, have just bought a shiny new CD ICT II 6wt to teach myself to cast with. Thought it would be silly not to get into a bit of fly fishing as my work involves me driving around most of the South Island once a month past some pretty amazing rivers so it would be almost criminal not to flick a fly into as many as I can on the way.

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Metal Float Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2014 at 3:58pm
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I've been down to Blenheim each year for the last 5-6 years and always take a rod with me - but I've never actually found the time to get down to the Wairau for a fish. You've inspired me to have a go next time. Good luck for tonight!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote skunk'd_again Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2014 at 7:54pm
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Yeah I haven't fished the Wairau either.... looks like it's in for a flogging next season LOL. Nah, probably won't get up that far. 

Looks like you had a nice quick fishin' session. I'd be very happy with that, considering the time of year.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Helmsy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Jul 2014 at 8:33pm
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Well that was another awesome session today, actually ended up with a couple of spare hours around lunchtime so shot down again for a few more flicks, phone was dead though do no photos this time.

Was even better today being much more visual with better light and a set of Tonic glasses to borrow. To start with it was a bit frustrating as had a lot if follows but only a couple of half hearted hits. I did have a bit of a brainwave though as I was using the same lure as last evening, a pearl silver softie which stood out hugely in the bright sun and clear water.

A quick change to a darker perch coloured 4play lure saw instant results with the first cast nailing a good 4ish lb brown. From then on it was full on action, and it was amazing to see how far fish would come to hit the lure. My strike rate was however nothing shirt of apalling, only converting 3 from at least a dozen hits, which I will attempt to blame on the dulling jig head, not my obvious lack of skill

There were some serious fish amongst them too, with one in particular that would have pushed my 7lb pb. It took me completely by surprise, coming out from almost under my feet to inhale the softie. However instead of punching the hook home I simply stared at it while it spat the lure and went and sat in the channel ignoring my next dozen casts across it's nose

While the misses were a little frustrating, it was another thoroughly enjoyable session and good to land a few solid fish all around the 4lb mark.

For the guys above thinking about giving the Wairau a crack, I'd strongly suggest it. I have very little freshwater experience and have been having a ball
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