Angling Report: Jan 2002
Lake Brunner Fly Fishing Report
The onset
of summer has been slow - but the arrival of two guests from Japan, Mr Kitada
and Ms Nakamura, saw the sun finally appear for longer than an hour at a time.
Not only that, but the first cicadas of summer were beginning to chirp... always
a good sign!
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| The river levels dropped, and water
slowly cleared, enabling us to eventually try a little river
fishing. Above, Mr Kitada casts a nymph into the clear waters of the
Bruce Stream. Note the fallen tree, a legacy of the 900mm of rain from
mid-November to mid-December, followed by 600mm on the first two days of
January! The Bruce was running at least 3 metres above normal during these
two rain events. Recovery of the stream after such big floods will take
time - many trout seek respite back down in the lake, and taking some
weeks to repopulate the stream. |
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While
Mr Kitada was trying to coax a trout into action, Ms Nakamura was enjoying
the brilliant West Coast sunshine. |
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A nice
example of prime West Coast brown trout - a fat hen fish is quickly
photographed prior to release. Trout are in superb condition this
season.
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Ms
Nakamura proudly displays a typical Lake Brunner brown trout, one of the
very first she caught unaided. An enthusiastic novice fly-fisherwoman, her
skill level, and success rate, improved daily. She was able to catch fish
using streamer, dry and nymph!
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Ms Nakamura, on the Crooked River. |
Mr Kitada, hooked up briefly to a
nice trout on a small West Coast stream |
January 21
2002
The weather continues to improve, and guest Joe Kinker
from Lake Saint Louis, Missouri USA
had a blast today! The fish were in a cooperative mood, and happily taking dry
fly and nymph all day! Joe landed 7 during the first session, and managed to
land another 3 during the evening! It was one of those days when the guide
wished HE was fishing - for every fish landed, another self-released, or broke
us off. A truly awesome day out!
January 25/26
2002
Michael Rhodes and son Matthew joined us for the day -
and it was tough out there on Friday 25th. Very hot, and a late start to the
afternoon breeze - most days it starts to blow around 1-2pm, but on this day not
until after 4pm. The fishing was difficult for some
inexplicable reason - few fish in evidence, and those we saw were very wary.
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Matthew was first to catch a fish, a lovely big brown, and the
first he had caught unaided on the fly. His casting skills deserved such a
reward, and he put in a great days effort. |
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Michael also landed a couple for the day. The following morning, whilst Matthew
enjoyed a sleep in, Michael and I slipped down to the Arnold River for a few
hours. |
The fish were in a more playful mood, happily taking a nymph suspended
under the dry fly, more often taking the dry fly itself, a big, ugly cicada
pattern! Michael landed 6, was broken off once, and lost another right at the
net - all in all, a great morning!
Angling Report: Jan 2002
Lake Brunner Fly Fishing Report
                                
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