In Stalking the flats – Part 2, I discussed what to look for when walking across the flats. I mentioned that “I am always on the look-out for freshly dug depressions in the sand and shell, roughly 0.5 – 1 metre in diameter. These depressions are often easy to spot as entire areas will be pockmarked with them and they are surrounded by piles of … Continue reading SNAPPER ON THE FLATS
Over the past few years I have become steadily more convinced that longer spinning and fly rods are ideal for use on wide estuarine flats, especially spinning rods 9’ (2.74 metres) or longer and fly rods of around 9’6” (2.89 metres). There are many reasons for this change in thinking but simple physics and improved rod manufacturing technology are the primary drivers. SPINNING RODS Let’s … Continue reading WHY LONGER RODS ARE BETTER
Article by: Alan Bulmer Photos: Paul Smith Recently I read an excellent article by Neil Wagener in NZ Fisher # 50 entitled “Are we training fish to avoid lures”. Click on the following link to view it:- http://www.nzfisher.co.nz/ The basic premise of the article is that fish become conditioned to lures the more they see them and if they are hooked, landed and released during … Continue reading DO FISH LEARN TO AVOID LURES?
In “Stalking the Flats – What to look for” I listed some of the things to look out for which give a clue as to where fish will be holding in estuarine flats. Check it out: http://-https://activeanglingnz.com/2014/04/21/stalking-the-flats-part-2-what-to-look-for/ Over the weekend I happened upon a publication from Mark Morrison et al entitled “Linking marine fisheries species to biogenic habitats in New Zealand: a review and synthesis of … Continue reading WHERE TO FIND FISH IN HARBOURS
The video below shows Alan Bulmer tying the Seaweed Maggot Fly that he developed for Dr Mike Ladle and details of the early prototypes. If you want to read more about the background to the development of the final fly click on:- https://activeanglingnz.com/2014/04/23/mullet-how-they-catch-them-in-the-uk/ Continue reading VIDEO – TYING THE MAGGOT FLY
Article by: Alan Bulmer Photos: Paul Smith, Mark Hoffman, Alan Bulmer While researching for an upcoming article for Active Angling NZ I stumbled upon a website called “Rod Building Forum” and a fascinating interview with Tom Morgan on fly rod design. It is well worth reading:- http://www.rodbuildingforum.com/sources/special/morgan.php Tom Morgan is best known as the owner and principal rod designer for R.L. Winston from 1973 to … Continue reading FAST ACTION FLY RODS – ARE THEY REALLY BETTER?
Photos: Paul Smith, Jim Lanfear & Alan Bulmer I recently stumbled upon an article http://www.tacklemaking.com entitled “Colour theory for fishing lures”. While the article is written from an American angling perspective it got me thinking about the most effective colours for flies and lures when fishing the estuarine flats in NZ. Before I add my thoughts read what they had to say below:- DIFFERENT FISH … Continue reading CHOOSING A LURE COLOUR TO SUIT THE CONDITIONS
Written By: Alan Bulmer Photos: Paul Smith & Mark Hoffman Recently I received a fascinating e-mail from Dr Mike Ladle in the UK describing his experiment to see whether fish activity increased around dawn. Mike is convinced that fishing at the change of light at dawn is the most productive time of day and designed an experiment to try and prove this. Mike actually recorded the number of … Continue reading IS DAWN THE BEST TIME TO FISH?
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