Clutha River Trophy Rainbow Trout | Wanaka Fly Fishing

So after 30 years of fly fishing on the Clutha river I finally caught my first Clutha river trophy rainbow trout ! A cold grey old day with fog shrouding the river greeted me as I pulled into a favourite stretch of the Clutha river, just outside of my home town of Wanaka . A stretch where I've seen several big fish sitting on a drop off over the winter months for the past 20 + years, but have never managed to entice one to eat my flies ! I carefully edged my way out from the bank into the flow to give myself more of chance of getting my fly deeper with a longer more controlled swing. Id been fishing for about 30mins with out a touch and was about to head home but decided to change my sink tip to a slighter heavier one and just cover the water again. This time after a long controlled swing and as my line straightened and lifted slightly I felt some tension, not a hit or a grab just some tension, I waited a second or two then struck ! .....BOOOM fish on. Initially I didn't think it was that big of a fish until she launched herself clear out of the water belly flopping with a huge splash on the surface quickly followed by a couple of blistering runs putting me well into my backing on both occasions . After an epic 10 min fight in a very heavy current I managed to direct her into some softer side water and then slide the net under her ... 10lbs on the button ! A simply stunning fish and one i will never ever forget....absolutely STOKED!

10lb's of Clutha river rainbow trout ! a superb specimen ....fresh from Lake dunstan on her winter spawning run.

I am now taking bookings for the 2018\19 guide season so feel free to contact with any questions you may have:) I look forward to hearing from you !

cheers Paul