Tuesday, February 27, 1996

Maruia River

Day two! Good breakfast at excellent establishment at Spring’s Junction – affordable rooms at the Lodge – (it’s “tomato sauce” here, by the way, not ketchup; ya butter your own damn toast too). We hit the river about 9:30 or so, a little further downstream (for once I’m lucky, the river was blown out a week ago). It’s cool and misty in the morning, but lo and behold I actually hook fish on 2 out of my first 3 casts, land one youngster, the other little fella throws the hook. A propitious start nonetheless. Bob’s very knowledgeable, intelligent, well-read guide; I do need help with casting and he has some great tips. Turns into another gorgeous bluebird day; very warm, a little windier. This river is as clear as your grannie’s conscience, at a low flow, and I’m doing much better at spotting the fish. Usual deal is I follow 30” or so behind Bob; he spots the fish, I hook it and snap it off! Turns out I’m laying the lumber on too thick and through the morning I snap off several good fish. Very little obvious insect activity, but we do spot a fish rising – big ol’ Royal Wulff does the trick on 4 ¾ lb. brown (and a smaller rainbow). Lose a big brown into the willows after first fucking up the cast, then getting lucky. I valiantly try to haul him around the bush as instructed but he beats me too it. I seem to settle down on the snapping off routine later on and land first a 4 lb + brown, then a 4 ¾ lb. rainbow than a #10 or 12 Hare and pheasant nymph. Lots of nymphing to sighted fish. Over the day, I hook a dozen or so, land 5 or so (but who’s counting). We shut’er down about 6:00 after the spotting light is gone. Spotting here does seem to be indispensable. Back to Springs Junction for the “roast”’ I’m fairly beat! (Note: struck out on ½ doz. Good fish in last pool of the day.)