Monday, February 26, 1996

Maruia River, New Zealand

Left Calgary 4:30 p.m. local time February 21, 1996; arrive Auckland 8:30 a.m. local time Feb 23/96, via Vancouver & Honolulu; thence to Christchurch, by air to Hokitika (next time take train?), then taxi to Greymouth. Spend Saturday and Sunday getting acclimated; shooting photos at “Go For the Gold” South Island surf competition, rent bicycle to get around (sore butt too). Stay at Revington’s downtown one night, couple nights at the Ashley (newer, OK place).
Meet guide Bob Vaile Mon. A.m. 7:30; head on up to the Springs Junction area, then downstream 20 m. or so on the Maruia, a beautiful freestone river, wadable at will, but broad and braided in a lot of spots. Get my first introduction into the “sight-fishing game” – extraordinary! Extreme water clarity enables experienced spotter to pick up the large browns from the bank…key is to move slowly. It’s a fine, sunny day with light winds, 70-72 ° or so I’d guess. The next deal is to put the fly at the end of a 15’ leader where the fish is – lotta buck fever going on as we spot big fish fairly consistently from the outset. I put down the first several fish we see (or at least can’t interest them). Finally hook some fish thru the afternoon – snap one off; lose another chunky brown when he saws me off in a rock embankment; break off a third. At day’s end, pick up a couple of nice (4.25 lbs) browns with hare and pheasant nymph – the real New Zealand deal! A great opening day.