Incredible winter fly fishing in Taupo, New Zealand

What an incredible day's fly fishing! It was probably the best day's fishing for trout I've had in this Taupo river. The river is full of so many big trout it's almost unbelievable. The famous Taupo winter runs are such a unique experience that makes it one of the best trout fisheries in the world.
#troutfishing #rainbowtrout #flyfishing #taupo #winterfishing #newzealand
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[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Learn to fly fish Taupo rivers in winter with my new online course: Guide To Fly Fishing Taupo Rivers in Winter: www.crazyaboutflyfishing.com/taupo-winter-fly-fishing Use the code VIDEO15 to get 15% off!

[@jasononeil1768]

Love this river, I helped plant 1600 NZ native trees and shrubs along its banks last winter as part of Project Tongariro, good burgers at the store too.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Awesome that's a great effort. It's an incredible river. Defo my favorite of the lot.

[@adventuring_with_MK]

What a beautiful river, great job on the video and looks like so much fun catching those trout!

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thanks heaps. It was a great day indeed.

[@fabulousrobert6607]

Incredible. It’s like your fishing in a place where it only exists in dreams 😴💭 🎣

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

It really is!

[@flytrout_nz]

Grate video Johan. Absolutely fantastic aerial shots. Especially when Angel was hooking up!!!

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thanks Pawel. It came out well in the end. We'll have to catch up for a day on there soon

[@adventureducklings]

These video's are great to watch while tying flies.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

That's what I do too with vids from Wildfly, tight loops etc. So good. Even when I am cooking sometimes. Glad you enjoy them

[@michaelsullivan988]

Beautiful stream, scenery, and fish.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thank you very much, we are lucky to have places like that here

[@waikarimoana]

Great video, awesome footage and great fishing trip Johan, thumbs up,, Tony.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thanks Tony 👍

[@topperqfishing]

very nice...... tranquil ambient .... supered!

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Glad enjoyed it. Thanks for watching

[@NeilgRichardson]

Another great video Johan, that river is brilliant when it goes off, but the snags can make life difficult

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thanks Neil, much appreciated. Those snags can be a real pain. The fish know where to find them.

[@brucewaller7680]

Fantastic Johan. A tremendous day for you both, thanks for the video.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thanks Bruce, it was one to remember. Hopefully another one like this to be had this season and I would be very happy.

[@troutstalkers6922]

Great video Johan. Unbelievable fish numbers. First time I see something like this. It seems I need to pay you a visit one day up north....Tight lines!!

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thanks Pieter. The fishing can ger pretty crazy in winter at times. You should definitely make a plan to come up

[@OnTheFlyNZ]

That drone shot of the fish showing just how many there are. Quite incredible really.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

It's crazy aye. I counted 57 in the thumbnail frame alone if I remember correctly.

[@OnTheFlyNZ]

@Crazy About Fly Fishing Insane. I would hate to see that drone shot though if I had been skunked in that spot that day 😆

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

@@OnTheFlyNZ haha yeah it was funny because we saw nothing from ground level. Once the drone was up and we saw all the fish it suddenly took us ages to hook one with so many drifts through the middle of them without a touch. Not sure if it was the drone above or stage fright on our part 😂😂

[@seafly845]

What a good video and what excellent fish! Thanks for sharing this.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Glad you enjoyed it, some more good stuff coming over the next few weeks too. Couple of nice ones filmed already in the SI.

[@waynenaylor5734]

A great day fishing alright, some really nice fish landed by both of you. Great drone footage of that big pod of fish. I'm looking forward to getting up there in a couple of weeks so hope the fish continue to run!

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thanks Wayne, I hope the fish are there in good numbers for you. Latest reports I have heard and seen are still very good but it can be a bit up and down and not everyone did equally well. Hope you get among them. Tight lines.

[@jasoncrang1455]

Another great video Johan, those aerial shots of the fish are something else.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thanks Jason. Hope we get out for a fish again soon. Need another trip like last year with everyone.

[@tonywalkingstick8883]

That was a great fish 🐟. Really enjoyed this video. From Cherokee North Carolina USA 🇺🇸 ❤️. TIGHT LINES.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Awesome that's great to hear. More good videos to come soon so stay tuned. Tight lines

[@serich9722]

The overhead air shot are great!!!

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Awesome, thanks

[@TheBigchuckie]

Absolutely a great day Glad to see you guys having fun Johan terrific drone footage

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thanks Steve, really appreciate that. Hope to get more footage like this later this season

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Hello Johan! Great video, love that river, it's beautiful! All the best.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

It's a great river indeed. Can't wait to get back there

[@jasonrekker4328]

Beautiful video. To me the setting one fishes in is just as important as the fish one is catching - put the two together and you have an amazing experience. Also amazed at how productive you are in that gin clear water. When we see those conditions here (great lakes tribs) the days are pretty much a write off...its best when water has some stain to it.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Absolutely agree and lucky that trout love living in stunning places. It is unusual for this river to fish so well when it is clear but I think the numbers of fish this year are just so high one just ends up taking it after a few drifts. I think I counted 57 trout in the thumbnail of the video. Normally the best time is as it is clearing after heavy rain. A nice dark green color and a little high.

[@jasonrekker4328]

@@CrazyAboutFlyFishing stunning, thank you

[@e-spaineducation-enjoyment4428]

getting better and better!!!

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Awesome, thanks!

[@pierevojzola9737]

Hi Johan, read the comments and I have to concur with everyone that your videos just get better every time. Congratulations mate, you have done it again! Last week we had some really shocking weather, in fact it was so bad on Friday morning that we never bothered going out. Those gusts shook the whole cabin all night. Otherwise the fishing was great and we hooked into some mighty fish and even managed to land some. Mostly on barbless #14 naturals and egg patterns. My son had a few 6 lbs plus fish and the best catch rate this year. The bad weather kept a lot of anglers at home, which we appreciated. Had a guide with his two clients come to the river and put himself and his two clients into the head off the pool without any “ bye your leave” customary river etiquette. Pissed me right off as I had been working my way up the pool for the past two hours. He has done this to us before and it’s useless talking to him as he ignored any remarks. But that’s the Tongariro at its best and at its worst all in one day! Look forward to next month, hope to see you on the water. Cheers mate. Harera

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thanks so much, I'm grateful the effort I am putting in with videos is noticed. Just trying to make the best ones I can. Adds another bit of fun to the filming too. You must have been in Turangi while me and Simon were being battered by the same weather in the South Island. We had a fun but exceedingly tough trip swinging some flies around the south and also having a go at the big canal fish. All of that to come soon. Should make for entertaining watching I hope. Look forward to some easier fishing though so hope my next trips are one of those when the Taupo rivers are switched on again. Good to hear you got into some good fish. When are you down again?

[@pierevojzola9737]

@@CrazyAboutFlyFishing Hi Johan, you did miss some of this year’s best Steelhead fishing. We did not go to the TT as I counted 17 cars in the carpark and the thought of all that walk to reach a favourite spot only to find six blokes there before us put me off! Still, the reports back from the blokes from our club indicated new runs every night coming up the river. Some very good fish runs this year. We will be back for the week 27 August, so might see you then. Spoke to some of your mates staying at the TALTAC camp. They were having a good weeks fishing. Obviously knew all about you! Cheers mate. Harera

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Yes it certainly sounds like we missed out a bit but we did have a pretty amazing experience down south and there is still a couple of months left. I will very possibly be around at the same time as you so I will put it into my calendar now. We must make it work this time around. Tight lines.

[@juanandresbarbarich]

What a nice place 👍

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Yup, it's a great spot

[@dawidsnyman4122]

I love how you look after the fish before releasing. Love your work. I will be up there with a friend in a few weeks, can't wait!

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thanks Dawid, much appreciated

[@addicted2trout245]

😍😍😍😍🎣 beauti mate

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thanks mate

[@tonyg3091]

Try without the indicator. Cast slightly upstream , mend down, keep contact with the nymph while feeding line and watch the tip of the line. Bosnian nymphing-deadly method.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

I'll try that some day. Sounds like an interesting method. I'm always keen on learning new techniques. Tight lines

[@tonyg3091]

@@CrazyAboutFlyFishing It is not easy to master but sometimes when the fishing is difficult it is the only way as it makes for the most natural drift of the nymph.

[@lachlanmills3645]

Nice video, the TT really is popping this year as far as numbers of good sized fish goes. Those spots were spectacular this weekend, have you tried swinging those pools?

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

From what I hear all the rivers are turning it on at times. Typical winter it can be on and off but man when it's on. I've swung flies on all of the Taupo rivers and have had some success in all of them. I'm not much good at swinging though.

[@darrelbaillie7829]

I like yours cap. I assume you're selling your own apparel ❤

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

I was, not any longer, though. Didn't really work out.

[@struck2soon]

Looks more like float fishing than fly fishing?

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Depends on your definition of fly fishing I guess and what you are open to. Nymphing to me is just one fly fishing method of which there are many. Some might only use bamboo rods, silk lines and dry flies while others include euro nymphing and mono rigs. Each to their own. I'm happy with calling this fly fishing 🎣

[@AdriftFishing]

That thumb 🙌

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Yup, pretty cool

[@foxjiang3438]

so cooool~😁

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Hopefully next time you find a spot like that

[@timkeir6467]

Fabulous

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thanks Tim, that's great to hear

[@mitch858]

NICE VIDEO!

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thank you 😊

[@kiwisamurai69]

Another great video and appreciate the nymph set up. Is this the Tongariro or Tauranga Taupo? I'll be down there next week for a few days fishing. Can't wait! Let me know if you'll be down on the 6th or 7th. Would love to hit the river with you.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Awsome thanks ☺️ I try not to name rivers on social media but just read the comments someone will 😉. I won't make it down for at least a couple of weeks even though I'm hanging out to go. Just been to the canals down SI. Have fun though all the rivers are firing. Hopefully the rain gives it a good fresh with enough time to clear before your trip. If it's high and dirty just focus on the edges with eggs and splitshot so you don't snag too much. Tight lines. Hope it goes well.

[@rschreck876]

@@CrazyAboutFlyFishing Good on you. So may fly fishing KZbin’ers blowing up fishing spots for views.

[@rschreck876]

Go find your own spots dude. Seriously.

[@kiwisamurai69]

@@rschreck876 I have my own spots buddy. Always good to have others to take a look at.

[@pixelninja850]

Naand Johan, Ek bly in Palmy en will grag die Tongariro probeer visvang. Wat se soort vlak water Kan n mens die rivier probeer vang?

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Hallo daar, die winter vloei is gewoonlik so rondom 35 cumecs en somer so 25. Die visvang is gewoonlike die beste a paar dae na goeie reen as die rivier vlak kwaai gestyg het en dan weer val. Hoop dit help. Stywe lyne.

[@adamg7984]

Hey can you tell me why they restrict your indicators to yarn? Not that there's anything wrong with them, I know they're a bit different than cork, plastic or foam indicators but I feel those would float the flies a bit better and make it easier to tell a strike from a hang up. I just know from experience with fish in big schools like that and with two fly rigs it's easy to set the hook every time your indicator goes and you're so likely to foul hook fish in groups like that. Maybe I'm overthinking it but I feel something that floats the line more vertically and allows less line to be dragged in the water the easier it'd be to tell if you got a grab and the less often you'd snag bottom and potentially foul hook a fish when you make a hook set on a hang up. Maybe that's just my preference showing as there's draw backs to having the line more vertical such as the fish recognizing pressure sooner and the varying current speeds from low to high in the water seems much more effecting when the line dangles tightly in a more vertical position. But I know I prefer it as vertical as I can get it just because it makes differentiating strikes easier and I just, just absolutely hate when I foul hook a fish. It just breaks my heart every time and is the very reason I switched to barbless hooks in a state that has zero restrictions on using barbs. I just couldn't bear to pull another barbed hook out of a foul hooked fish, it's brutal. And also, I feel part of fly fishing is learning to fish sans barbed hooks and I would never go back to barbed hooks with the advantages of barbless being far higher than any supposed disadvantages. I really just was using barbed hooks because I was still new at fly fishing and came from traditional spin reel fishing. Sorry, way too many digressions. I'm just curious, not criticizing, it's not like the yarn doesn't work perfectly fine. Just seems like if anything heavier floats, albeit may scare the fish easier, but would also help show the distinction of a take and a hang up. I could also be underestimating just how clear that water is and it could be most beneficial to not use anything that splashes when landing. But then again, I've fished crystal clear water that's deep with heavier indicators and done well. But, and this is a big but, I wasn't fishing for wild New Zealand trout that were born and raised in the streams and lakes.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Hi Adam, I actually have no idea why this region restricts indicators to yarn only. The rest of New Zealand does not and all the usual foam and bobbers are allowed. However I do personally prefer yarn regardless. The main thing being that it behaves a lot like a dry fly and therefore does not affect the cast or presentation almost at all, especially the smaller ones in summer. Being easily adjustable means I can move the indicator as close to the flies as needed for better strike detection too. I think in regards to foul hooking fish in these big schools. I think it is somewhat inevitable that it will happen from time to time. It could be easily when a fish releases quicker than we strike or if the fly hits the bottom in between the fish. What I have seen from the aerial clips when I zoom in is that my strikes are very delayed and I in many cases could or should have moved the indicator closer. But it's good learning none the less. I have been squashing the barbs on my flies for some time but I am also now moving to tying my new flies all barbless. I'll just be using up some old hooks but then it's all barbless from there on. I hate leaving hooks in fish or like you say ripping it from a foul hooked fish. Tight lines and thanks again for the insightful comments.

[@adamg7984]

@@CrazyAboutFlyFishing Hey you too buddy I always enjoy talking fly fishing with anyone! I too have to use up many of my old barbed hooks just like you. I take to just smashing them at the vise. I buy 99% barbless now but still have hundreds or thousands of barbed hooks to go through! Tight lines to you too!

[@miktin7008]

Hi Johan, I am enjoying your videos. For North Island Waikato, what pants and footwear would you recommend. Do you use the same gear to walk to the spot and wade if it is required or do you carry a backpack and change into waders?

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

That's so good to hear. I tend to wear breathable waders throughout the colder months and wet wade in summer. My breathable waders are Aquaz dry zip ones which have held up really well. Boots wize I am currently in Traper Yukon boots but I keep them for wet wading mainly as they are great for hiking into spots as they are fairly light for a wading boot. In winter I wear thermals and trackpants with 2 pairs of socks in inside my waders and even foot warmer pads if it's really cold. In summer I use either thermals and shorts or long quickdry pants plus wading socks and wading boots.

[@CaptLRay]

Is it easy to get guided trips on this river and others in NZ? Any recommendations? From USA.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Hi Ray, yes it is indeed. There are many guides that service the area and the rest of the country. I highly recommend Rob Vaz www.robfish.co.nz he is a great guide and you will catch heaps of fish and learn lots.

[@christiancherry1377]

Jealous of this amazing day!

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

It was a pretty good day, hope you have one too

[@tboneius2980]

What is the best fly rod for beginners

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

It's a tough one. There are so many options on the market and almost all of them will work. As a bigginner it's worth looking at a medium action rod and one line weight heavier to learn to cast well, especially if you will be teaching yourself. The weight of the rod and the line will depend on what type of water and species you are going to fish for. Where are you based and what will you fish for?

[@simondavis3044]

nice work !, what's the jacket you are wearing ?

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thank, glad you enjoyed it. The jacket is a Traper UTAH. Have a look here iloveflyfishing.kiwi/product/traper-utah-wading-jacket/?ref=3209

[@WisdomWealthMotivation]

I just want to say Johan that that is a very clicky thumbnail, aim for more ones like that, this video will pop off.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Thanks Dan, I must say I hope so. I don't always get such spectacular ones but I am certainly trying. I've realized just how important the thumbnail and title are whilst delivering on what they promise. Hopefully this one hits the mark with all three.

[@WisdomWealthMotivation]

@@CrazyAboutFlyFishing Definitely will I can see.

[@dirttdude]

i dont't know buddy, the rainbows in Washington typically reach 15 pounds and can reach 35 pounds..... And they are pissed off. You have to have some fairly stout gear and you have to be on your A Game or you'll never land one.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Steelhead? I'd love to fish for fish that size one day. Hopefully I'll get the chance to visit one day. Would love to catch salmon too!

[@dirttdude]

@@CrazyAboutFlyFishing They are badass fish, they can come home to spawn and return to sea upto three times so they get big and strong and fast, they have an extra gill plate and don't get tired like a salmon, When you land a 20 pound ironhead you're drained physically, mentally and emotionally, it's not uncommon to have to lay down afterwards from adrenalin crashing and i've seen grown men cry.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Man that sounds awesome 🔥 would love to try it one day.

[@dirttdude]

@Mark Hepworth Yeah, steelhead are big beautiful rainbow trout and they go to sea just like salmon but they don't always spawn and die, they spawn, protect their reds for a few weeks and go back to sea, they can spawn cycle up to 4 times and can live up to 12 years, that's why and how they get so big and strong and fast and smart. Salmon changes it’s physiology, it cannot adapt back to freshwater, they spawn and die. Iron Heads are just much more hearty and robust through and through.

[@dirttdude]

@@CrazyAboutFlyFishing the winter runs are thickest in January and February.

[@zbigniewkolasinski4627]

🙂👍

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

😍

[@crazyfliesdk]

My opinion - Flyfishing is NOT done by some eggs in a bag. The name is “fly-fishing”…with a fly.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

They are egg flies. Designed to imitate the trout eggs that the eat at this time. They are tied with thread and other materials on a hook just like any other fly and are fished in tandem with other flies like the caddis and stonefly patterns. We use a fly rod, fly reel, fly line and just like any other fly fishing method. It is fly fishing. You may choose not to fish this way if you prefer dry flies or other methods but it still is fly fishing 😇

[@kenkitsul8076]

Hi. I'm new. What country? Thanks.

[@CrazyAboutFlyFishing]

Welcome. This is in New Zealand. Hope you enjoyed the video and thanks for watching