John Walkley's Five Favourites

When John Walkley was invited to submit a ‘Five Favourite Things’ to New Zealand Fishing News, he thought, “This will be easy.” But he was then faced with the dilemma – how do you condense everything you love about fishing into just five subjects? Here is his answer…

Firstly, a bit of background about my fishing journey.

I have been fishing since I could walk. Back then, the old man would take me to a wharf to catch yellowtail and later from the boat for snapper. From there, I fished until my mid-teens where I had a brief teenage hiatus from fishing (my focus shifted to a more enigmatic quarry), which was followed by a move to Australia. It was there that I got into fishing in a big way. The lure fishing scene was huge, and I was out to try and catch every species in as many ways as I could. This rapid learning curve is what really set the hook for me. And then came the trout. Yes, I know, I grew up in New Zealand, yet caught my first trout in the driest state in Australia – go figure. Regardless, I was afflicted with the fly-fishing bug, and have been ever since. So when the time came to move back to New Zealand, I had the advantage of bringing back a range of techniques for a multitude of species (albeit for generally smaller fish). By adopting these techniques to better suit the fishing in our wonderland, I have had great success, and this is what keeps my passion for fishing burning. 

What do I like best about fishing?

I enjoy the challenges and rewards of fishing. I fish for the thrill of the take and the resulting fight, and both of these aspects are enhanced by the journey to that point. While I do take the occasional fish, I take greater pleasure in returning a fish back to the water and watching it power away – after a mandatory selfie, of course.

The part I enjoy most about lure and fly-fishing specifically is the challenge they present. Technically, you’re doing it the hard way. Your offering something that looks like, feels like and in some cases smells like the real thing, but it isn’t. You need to convince fish that even though this atomic coloured lure looks like the three-eyed fish from the Simpsons, it’s still going to taste great. This game of hunting and deceiving your target into taking something that’s artificial is a thrill. And with all the changes and trends, I’m always on the lookout for the next thing, that next edge and the next way I can learn to catch these fish. I’ve always been one to think and try something new or use something different. Some tinker on cars in the garage; I tinker with fishing tackle. To sum this up, for me, learning new methods and adding them to the quiver is one of the most enjoyable aspects of fishing.

The writer fell in love with flyfishing in Australia, but has loved the challenge of fishing NZ's bigger waters.

Favourite style of fishing?

With so many great options, this can be a hard one to pinpoint, but, if I had to pick only one, I would go with topwater and horizontal jigging for kingfish. The challenges kingfish present can keep you second-guessing your methods, as well as your tackle. But at other times, you just can’t miss them. The way a pack charges down a lure all the way to the rod, only to turn tail, can leave you trembling. They do truly have moods, but when it happens, it’s all on! Nothing beats that feeling of your retrieve being stopped dead in its tracks and then having a 30kg king rocketing away with your prized lure (like a magpie with something shiny), trying to decorate the nearest bit of structure. It is exhilarating.

For me, the ultimate way to target them would be visually, whether that be shallow water sight casting to cruisers or scanning them on side scan before pitching a jig or stick-bait. The visual aspect of fishing for kingfish is spectacular. Sometimes you may even see that elusive and almost mythical kingfish workup. The visual element they provide can be incredible, and the excitement and adrenalin rush can leave you weak kneed with an aching back!

A hearty kingfish caught on the writer's favoured soft-bait combo.

Favourite place to fish?

New Zealand’s Central North Island has it nailed for me. With so many lakes and rivers in proximity that are world class fisheries and surrounded by that middle earth scenery, how could you not love the central north? Over the years I have been trying to spend as much time as I can in the Eastern and Taupo fisheries, and in that time, I have learned a lot. From cutting my teeth on the fly and trout while fishing ankle-deep riffles with 0# rods in ‘rivers’ thin enough to jump across in Australia, as well as braving the snakes and other unmentionables, all to catch an 8-inch trout, to then arriving at the Tongariro where I was awed by its size and power – there have been a few learning curves. I remember thinking, “Okay, what now?” Fast forward a bit and the time I have spent in this area of the country fly fishing has been truly memorable. Whether it be dry fly, indicator nymphing or euro nymphing, they all have their merits in different systems, and I enjoy them all. The other part I like about fishing this area is the fact I get away from the big smoke and can hit the bush for a long weekend – or longer. Where else can you catch big trout for a full day and top it off with a cold beer while relaxing in a thermal hot spring? Amazing.

The lakes and rivers of the central North Island are the writer's favourite areas to fish.

Favourite fishing outfit?

This could be a touchy one – everyone has their own favourite. If I had to pick just one outfit to fish with and do it with absolute confidence, it would be my current soft-bait outfit. I’m running an Ocean Angler Microwave V2 rod, and although I’m a Daiwa fanboy at heart, I’m currently running a Shimano Sustain 2500 HG with 12lb braid. This outfit has never let me down, whether I’m running small lures in the shallows, casting micro jigs or throwing 7-inch baits to hook bending wash snapper. This outfit does it all. It has even landed a 20kg kingfish in the Far North in four metres of crystal water over foul.

I was converted to this outfit two years ago when I first moved back to NZ. After dropping several good snapper on soft-baits through not setting the hook properly while using the fancy go-to that I had brought with me, I picked up my brothers’ setup and had one cast. I instantly felt how well it loaded up and sent the lure flying, landing several meters beyond where my previous casts had landed. And from there, any issues with setting the hook were a distant memory.

An Ocean Angler Microwave V2 rod with a Shimano Sustain 2500HG is the writer's preferred soft-bait setup.

Favourite essential fishing item?

Eyewear. Unless you don’t value your retinas, wearing quality glasses while fishing is a necessity. Not only do they make you look super cool, they also protect you from the reflection and UV rays. The other benefit they provide is safety from those lures that can sometimes dislodge and come rocketing towards your face. Twice I have had a 200-gram jig smack me in the glasses while landing kingfish, so I’m glad to have worn them religiously.

I run two sets – one for saltwater and one for freshwater. My saltwater pair are Maui Jim’s with glass polaroid lenses. I find both these attributes (glass and polaroid lenses) necessary when selecting a good pair of fishing sunnies. They are less prone to scratching and don’t distort your vision, and cut the glare from the water.

My freshwater pair is made by Spotters. They feature photochromic, glass polaroid lenses. These lenses adjust their darkness in different lighting so at any given time they provide the best contrast for spotting fish. And as a bonus, I can wear them and spot even in low light conditions.