I think I'm now hooked on trout fishing!

**Gareth123** · 29th April 2010, 20:49

First time ever trout fishing. Went with a mate of mine to Lake Brunner. He was a keen fly fisherman, I'd only ever dropped some bait over the side of the Christchurch Pier.

We sorted out a guide, (Brent Beadle from Moana - Awesome fella. I highly recommend him!) who took us to the mouth of a river. He handed me a rod with a spinner (please correct me if I'm wrong) on the end and said "Walk out there next to those branches and cast into that calm spot."
I'm thinking WTF no lessons? Just get out there and do it? No way can't be that easy!?!

So I cast out and begin winding it back in slowly and BANG! fish on the line! 1st cast! I swear he had it rigged but how do you rig that?

First ever Brown trout caught by me weighed in at 7.25lbs! Average for the lake is 4lbs.

We walked up the river after that for 15 minutes where we started fishing a wide stretch of water. My mate Matt fly fishing 20m upstream from me. After about an hour of slowly moving up the river and Matt not getting even a nibble I hooked another one!

2nd ever Brown trout caught by me weighed in at 8.5lbs!

Unfortunately Matt never got a nibble all day. Beginners luck helped me out I think.

Anyway here's some pictures to prove it

**Gone Burger** · 29th April 2010, 21:03

Hey - nice work! It's the one that didn't get away.

It's great fun isn't it? No better feeling than pulling in a heavy brown trout in a beautiful spot. I use to fish a lot up at Lake Rotoma. Simply awesome spot, and always went out with all the "boys" fishing. Always made me giggle when I reeled in a lovely trout, at a decent weight too, and they didn't. They use to get so frustrated. Then back to the batch we would go and smoke it over Manuka for tea. That's when they would start to appreciated it.

It can sure be a relaxing way to spend a day too. Great catch and great photographic evidence - without that they would never believe ya!

**Oakie** · 29th April 2010, 21:06

Nice looking fish. Yes I'm jealous ... much!
I moved to Christchurch from Twizel nearly 8 years ago and haven't touched my fly rod in that time. So sad! I'd love to get back into it but I reckon living in Twizel spoilt me as I could leave home, drive for 10 minutes in any direction and be on good fishing water. Here I'd probably need to drive an hour just to find some thrashed water. Wahhhh! One day...

**peasea** · 29th April 2010, 21:18

I quite like trout eating, dunno about the fishing shit.

**Gareth123** · 29th April 2010, 21:25

Originally Posted by Oakie

Nice looking fish. Yes I'm jealous ... much!
I moved to Christchurch from Twizel nearly 8 years ago and haven't touched my fly rod in that time. So sad! I'd love to get back into it but I reckon living in Twizel spoilt me as I could leave home, drive for 10 minutes in any direction and be on good fishing water. Here I'd probably need to drive an hour just to find some thrashed water. Wahhhh! One day...

Maybe people could suggest some good spots for fishing around Mid Canterbury.

Apparently Lake Lyndon(sp) is good.

**Gareth51** · 29th April 2010, 22:27

Nice fish,no wounder ya have a smile on ya face

**CookMySock** · 29th April 2010, 22:47

It is kinda brown innit.

Theres a huge amount of troutable water around here. I should get to it.

Steve

**doc** · 29th April 2010, 23:04

Paradise valley today, after 3rd trip this week. Fishing partner has caught 7 kept 4.

**SMOKEU** · 29th April 2010, 23:29

When I was about 10 I caught a 3.2kg brown trout in the Avon River.

**Shadows** · 30th April 2010, 00:02

Originally Posted by Gareth123

Maybe people could suggest some good spots for fishing around Mid Canterbury.

Apparently Lake Lyndon(sp) is good.

You don't have to travel all the way to Brunner to pick up fish like that (but I will admit the odds are a bit better).

I've found a couple of primo spots very close to CHCH. If I posted about the size, quantity, and health of the fish in them I would sound like just another bullshitting fisherman... so I won't.

No way am I posting details here after all of the leg work I put in either. You'll have to put on some Polaroids and find these places for yourself, that's half the fun. Suffice to say that most of the best fishing I've found is in water that isn't even featured on some maps. Blink and you miss it kind of stuff.

**mikeey01** · 30th April 2010, 00:13

Nice brown Jack there Gareth.

Shadows, O how right you are.... I've seen big browns in creeks you can jump over.

**Gareth123** · 30th April 2010, 04:08

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

It is kinda brown innit.

They sure are. Both brown trout.

**Gareth123** · 30th April 2010, 04:09

Originally Posted by Shadows

You don't have to travel all the way to Brunner to pick up fish like that (but I will admit the odds are a bit better).

I've found a couple of primo spots very close to CHCH. If I posted about the size, quantity, and health of the fish in them I would sound like just another bullshitting fisherman... so I won't.

No way am I posting details here after all of the leg work I put in either. You'll have to put on some Polaroids and find these places for yourself, that's half the fun. Suffice to say that most of the best fishing I've found is in water that isn't even featured on some maps. Blink and you miss it kind of stuff.

I got all excited. Thought you were going to give it up - your primo spot that is(That still doesn't sound right!)

**Skyryder** · 30th April 2010, 18:44

Well it's good to see a newbie doing well...................but the proof of the pudding is fishing all day with noting to show.............and still having a good time. Fisher man love to fish...................and landing one is the iceing on the cake.

Skyryder