Recently I was offered the use of a Kilwell Xantu 9’6” # 8 weight, four piece fly rod to evaluate and review on behalf of Active Angling NZ. Kilwell has been making high quality rods continuously in New Zealand for a very long time and most anglers at one stage or another have cast, or learned to cast with, a Kilwell fly rod. The Xantu … Continue reading KILWELL XANTU 9’6” # 8 WEIGHT ROD REVIEW
I got a chance to play with the Loop Booster Predator 8’8″ # 9 weight fly rod on my favourite estuary this morning and was very impressed. For a low price point rod ($ 499) it represents excellent value for money. Initially I was somewhat sceptical that a comparatively short rod could cast a # 9 weight line with ease and this was further reinforced … Continue reading ROD REVIEW – LOOP BOOSTER PREDATOR 8’8″
Due to low tide almost coinciding perfectly with dawn and dusk, I managed to get two fishing sessions in paradise yesterday. Excellent! The morning session fitted in with Paul Smith’s schedule so we arranged to rendezvous at 06.15 am at our normal parking spot. The drive to paradise is a long and winding one which our canine fishing companion Louis was no fan of. Whenever … Continue reading SNAPPER – DAWN AND DUSK
One of the most important changes that an angler needs to make in switching from fresh to saltwater fly fishing is to the leader which joins the fly line to the fly. Saltwater fish species are much larger than fresh, more powerful and live in terrain that is likely to damage a leader. Oyster shell encrusted rocks and horse mussels take no prisoners. In New … Continue reading LEADERS FOR SALTWATER FLY FISHING
This morning I spent a couple of hours chasing kingfish in the shallows in the Hauraki Gulf. Uncharacteristically they did not start scouring the flats until the sun was well up and the tide started to ebb. This was probably due to the king tide cycle that we are in the midst of. My colleague picked that this would happen as there was no panic … Continue reading KINGFISH IN CLOSE
Active Angling New Zealand 