Are you are new to fly fishing, or new to fly fishing in Canterbury?

Welcome - you have come to the right site.  The Canterbury Fly Fishing Club caters for all levels of experience and expectations, New Zealand and Overseas.

Three years ago I joined with huge expectations and no experience. Bored with spinning, my fly fishing journey began by signing up for a two day course run by Chappie Chapman – guide and master of fly fishing in these parts, who gave three very prophetic pieces of advice:

1.      Do not touch any rod other than a fly rod in the first year.

2.       Do not expect to catch any fish in the first two years.

3.       Get yourself along to the Canterbury Fly Fishing Club – you will learn heaps and they are great guys.

Well as sorely tempted as I was for the first year; I did not touch another rod, but persevered with my new Sage, often with a great deal of frustration. Two weeks after Chappies course, I headed off to some no name rivers – with prime fish (real whoppers – I kid you not), stunning weather and scenery, water and company.

Yes – you guessed it – two weeks and no fish!

Moral of the story so far – a Sage Rod alone does not catch thee a fish.

What followed was the true beginning of my fly fishing journey. Feeling very much the novice, I trundled along to the Canterbury Fly Fishing Club – a sea of guy faces and many knowledgeable fly fisher conversations, most of which I hadn’t a clue what they were talking about. But all this was about to change with the encouragement, patience and generous sharing of a great bunch of guys – the fly fishers of the Canterbury Fly Fishing Club. 

As chance would have it, we, my partner and I, joined in the nick of time to secure a place on the annual Club Twizel Trip . You can imagine my discomfort – joining a bunch of guys to fly fish the weekend in prime waters, with really no idea how to do it … well fortunately I persevered and count myself privileged to have enjoyed their fine company, and their generous sharing of fly fisher knowledge.

From day one they accepted us into their midst, and with patience walked alongside my early frustrating journey of working out how on earth to hook, let alone land these very smart critters – New Zealand’s brown trout especially.

Twizel Day One: I joined Murray and Eileen Lane, and Mike Howard, my mentors for the day at xxxxx Tarn. Objective – to hook and land a fish, any fish … and I did, not trophies (an over statement if you get my drift!), but large enough to get the feel of a fish at last on my untested new Sage. Thank you Murray, Eileen and Mike, for your wisdom, respect and gentle patience in getting me set up, offering a few casting tips, and sending me off on my own – respecting my need for distance whilst dealing with the frustrations of casting every where but on the water, spooking fish that just casually turned fin and glided away … damn!  

That was the first of a number of club days, ranging from Mentoring, casting and fly tying clinics, coupled with monthly club meetings with more learning opportunities from guest speakers, catching up with the guys and a growing number of girls.

That was nearly two years ago, my knowledge and skills have grown … a little more.  Yes - I am catching fish, and my Fly Tying journey has just begun. Thank you guys and girls  – you’re the best.

Right now I’m looking forward to the 2008 Twizel trip -  and a trophy in my net, caught on a nymph I tied myself!  

Rhonda's Fish

The day dawned cloudy but turned fine very early.  Parents and children started arriving from 7.30 on with the car park full by 10AM. 

In total about 7000 people attended throughout the event to 1 PM.  The loan-rod queue stayed long all morning to about 11 AM. (The Trust would welcome any gift of old spinning rods and reels to use on the day.  Condition not important as trust members will re-condition them).

The food and drink stands did a roaring trade, and filleting & cooking demonstrations by Phil Keene (from Jo Seagar’s Cooking School and Restaurant) drew large crowds.

Now for the important bit:

About 400 Salmon and about 50 large trout were released into the four ponds on Thursday.  A large number of these were caught (we cleaned in excess of 200 fish), in sizes from 1lb to nearly 10lb.  Despite the huge pressure on the water, the atmosphere stayed positive and friendly, with many people surrendering loan rods after some period, or one or two fish, to give others a chance.

Photographs show: Dave Grimwood assisting in the landing of a 6lb fish, and young Steven Wollenweber, with a 9.86 lb.