A Day Fly Fishing With My Son

My 8 year old son has just been bitten by the fly fishing bug !
 I brought him an Airflo Brookie set recently and have been waiting for the chance to get him out for a go , but between guiding commitments and waiting for a window of good weather it just hadn't happened thus far. Today we decided to just pack up some lunch and head out regardless of what the weather was doing to a small local stream just outside of Wanaka that usually holds a few good Rainbows and Browns up till until Xmas time.

Despite some recent rain and a little snow which had fallen recently the river was in pretty good shape , high but clear. Some usually deep holes that held fish were filled in so we had to walk a little until we found some fish. We eventually came to a deep pool that held a good fish and with a little help from Dad, Louie managed to cast his fly well up ahead of a nice Rainbow Trout that was swinging in the current which didn't hesitate to lift slightly and eat his nymph.

Louie with a fat wee early season Rainbow Trout that ate his fly first cast , after several shrieks of excitement from the both of us Louie had the fish under control and was playing it like a pro ! Dad (who didn't have his Simms waders on) jumped into the stream and herded the trout towards the bank and slipped the net under it quickly. A very excited wee boy then came down to help remove the nymph that was embedded in the fish's jaw , get a quick grip and grin and gently return it to the stream . A really special afternoon for father and son and one I will treasure for ever !