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Thread: A Small Spring Fed Stream Beckons

  1. #1
    Member Jax's Avatar
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    A Small Spring Fed Stream Beckons

    A Small Spring Fed Stream Beckons


    Come with me to a small spring fed stream where it does not matter that you cannot cast a fly line into the backing where precise casts with a delicate presentation are the norm if you are to enjoy the fruits of the stream.
    This is a place where a cool calm attitude and an ability to relax and blend into your surroundings and be at one with nature will hold you in good stead as you set out to pursue your chosen prey Trout.
    Stealth must be your catch word. Stealth is the key.
    Blunder about on a small stream in search of the elusive trout, and you will indeed be hard put to find your quarry while wading upstream in search of your quarry
    We are heading to a particular stream over the hill from Tauranga in the Waikato Region of the North Island of New Zealand that I regard as my favourite fly fishing destination. Small secluded and often ignored by the un-initiated who drive over the bridge heading for bigger waters. For this reason the stream is often unoccupied and one will have the whole stretch of the stream to oneself.
    This little gem holds a few Resident Browns and Rainbows throughout the year and really blossoms both at the start of each season when the trout having spawned and spent some time recovering from the effort. Start to feed in earnest as they drop back down to their larger Home Waters, and again as the end of each season when the trout start moving upstream in order to find good spawning water.
    First come the Big Jacks who by virtue of their size stake out the best stretches of spawning gravel in anticipation of finding a willing hen to play the game and together they will ensure that the stream has a new generation of trout to keep the cycle turning over once more.
    It is this primeval urge to propagate that once understood by the fly fisher opens up the stream to those delightful episodes where fishing “The Dry” can be very rewarding.
    High banks and encroaching willow trees between stretches of more open pools mean most of the encounters will be up close and personal and being able to see the quarry without “spooking” him or her is a vital part of the game.
    With your rod trailing behind, you part the overhanging willow foliage and peer intently upstream to where the water deepens at the head of the pool where past sorties have proved trout hold to have a feed.
    Is that nervous water ahead? Is that a fish moving just below the surface and betraying its position? Yes! It is a nice Rainbow holding station well up in the water column and feeding quite freely on some small unseen morsel.
    Will he or she rise to a Dry? As the fish is waltzing high up in the water column there is a good chance it will accept a free meal off the surface.
    Slowly the rod is brought into play and moving carefully to one side to be clear of the overhanging willow branches the fly is unhooked from the keeper eye and some line in pulled from the reel in preparation for the cast, all the time keeping the rod as low possible. Once satisfied that things are ready for the go. You say a little prayer and flick the line out with a few quick short casts and then make a steadying cast before presenting the fly.
    All goes well and the fly lands a foot or two upstream of the fish and starts its travel into the target zone. You tense as the fish alters its lazy waltzing and seems to come alive with a quick flick of the tail putting the body into motion as the fish angles toward the surface and gently engulfs your fly.
    You remember to pause and then tighten and feel the surge of power as the startled fish explodes into action and your world becomes a blur for a split second before experience allows you to get control of your actions and the fun begins.
    This fish heads upstream and as you apply pressure to counter this move, its leaps clear of the water and on landing turns and darts downstream forcing you to pivot and follow while trying to keep your rod and line clear of the myriad of willow branches that suddenly seem to assume the density of a sugar cane field. You stumble downstream hoping that the pressure you are managing to apply will keep the fly firmly in the fish’s mouth.
    Suddenly you are in the clear as you enter the next pool downstream only to find the fish is now doubling back up to where it came from. Desperate free hand stripping of the line keeps you in touch with the fish and you stop it short of the overhanging willows and slowly after a short tussle bring it under control.
    At this point you realise that it is a nice Rainbow Hen of about 3 pounds and you carefully slide your net under the fish and breathe a sigh of relief.
    You are happy that this short sharp encounter has ended in your favour and having released the fish to go about its business. You clean and dry your fly and give it a shake of re-conditioner as you look upstream and wonder what fate the guardians of the stream are planning for you for the remainder of the day.
    Small Streams can be very seductive, and I for one have fallen heavily under their spell.

  2. #2
    smallstreams.com plankowner ofuros's Avatar
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    A lifelong seductress for me.....thanks for sharing the love, Jax.
    Out & about....looking for trout.
    https://ofuros.exposure.co/

  3. #3
    Member Jax's Avatar
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    The Small Stream

    Here are some photos of My Small Stream.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails b.jpg   c.jpg   d.jpg   f.jpg   h.jpg  


  4. #4
    Member Jax's Avatar
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    Some more photos of the stream
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails j.jpg   i.jpg   k.jpg   l.jpg   m.jpg  


  5. #5
    smallstreams.com plankowner
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    Great read!

    I've seen a couple of youtube vids from similar looking NZ streams that made me want to make the trip.

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