Summer Breeze, Makes Me Feel Fine

Summer is the most special time for all and none more so than for the fly fisher. 

The calm contemplation of our winter fishery gives way to the endless possibilities of open water for all. Nowhere on earth does this seem greater than in New Zealand where the mind races over a fishery so vast, so extreme that at times making a choice and sticking to it makes life seem far, far, too short. From our crystal headwaters to the tidal estuary lagoons our world is filled with the desire to hunt in solitude.

As we sit at Stravon, we’re haunted by the knowledge of fish that arrive like silver ghosts from some distant tide to the mouths of our mighty rivers. They do so unchecked by our flies swinging across the pool and our mind starts to race. When we find ourselves in this place our minds wander occasionally to the headwaters and the unknown bounty that lies there, where we’re not. The only way to have it all is to unshackle ourselves from the ties of society and become the "trout bums" which fortunately we’ve been our entire lives.

The working man can solve this, should he be well heeled enough, with helicopters and jet boat, but as fly fisherman and countrymen we are never happier than on foot. We see more, we catch more, we think more and we lose all that weight we accrued in the fallow months and as we do so, we move better in every way. 

Wherever you fish this season, take some extra time to match the pace of nature for that is the true connection that drives us to our sport. All too soon the nights will draw and the cool will stay the evening rise that only a month ago seemed to linger for so long into the madness of the sedge. All we can do is to enjoy the time that we have and be sure to take that time, for in New Zealand you are never in the wrong place.