Sight fishing for huge browns in New Zealand's gorgeous landscapes and crystal clear waters. Monster takes, BIGGER fish. It's the stuff dreams are made of... at least the dreams of anybody who's even somewhat familiar with the prolific fishery.
But did you know those browns (much like in the United States) don't really belong there? Nope, they were introduced by settlers a little over 150 years ago... Want to learn more? Well, then I'd highly recommend the recent "Anchored with April Vokey" podcasts where she sits down and speaks with Jack Kos, a New Zealand angler who studied the subject for his PhD thesis and gives a relatively deep dive into the brown trout's rich Kiwi history.
Or even better, especially if podcasts aren't your thing... check out this 20 minute video. It was also written by Jack and maintains much of the same story and theme.
Now that's the way to start the work week, am I right?
Although I've never been to New Zealand (it's on my bucket list), I've always been a fan of Stu's Fly Shop from afar even purchasing a few odds and ends from them over the years. There's just a vibe of fun, without any pretentiousness. It's how it should be done.
Stu dropped this video the other day. I dig it. Figured you might too.
Anybody who knows me also knows that my tenkara rod fully telescopes every time I think about fishing in New Zealand. So when Steve from Stealth Films dropped me a note about a month ago offering up a copy of his DVD "The Dead Drift," there was no way I was going to turn that down. I mean that would just be crazy talk.
Not really knowing what "The Dead Drift" was all about, I settled in to watch it last weekend, eagerly anticipating beautiful landscapes and big ass NZ trout.
Well it didn't disappoint.
Hosted by Dean Bell, of Blue Ribbon Wilderness Guides, "The Dead Drift" is basically a 60+ minute long video on how to spot trout, read water, and manipulate your flies properly in several different real-world fishing situations as he takes us into the Wilderness Waters of Fiordland, South Island, New Zealand.
Now for those of you that prefer your fly fishing movies to be more entertainment than instructional, this one probably isn't for you. Just being honest. This ain't Eastern Rises...or heck, it also isn't Once In A Blue Moon. There's no fly in or fly over footage, no bearded trout bums, and no product placements.
However what you will watch is some technical and tactical fishing analysis on some of the most beautiful gin clear water you'll ever see. Don't worry, there is no shortage of fish porn, as Dean plucks pig after pig out of just about every nook and cranny of these streams with ridiculous regularity. He just happens to do it in a relatively calm and straightforward fashion, explaining what he is doing as he goes along, as opposed to being accompanied by a death metal soundtrack coupled with a warm can of celebratory PBR.
So is this DVD worth watching? For general entertainment, maybe, maybe not. If you like stories and narratives, go watch Hatch or Low & Clear instead. However if you want to learn something that might help you catch more fish, then yes, by all means pick up a copy of "The Dead Drift" and watch as your head swells with all sort of newly acquired knowledge.
Don't believe me? Check out some prior reviews of this DVD from different bloggers here, here or here. And if so inclined, you can also buy your own copy here or here.
DISCLAIMER: The Dead Drift DVD viewed in this product review was provided to me at no cost, but holds a retail value of $32.90 (US) per the manufacturer's website. I currently hold no association with Stealth Films, Steve Couper, Dean Bell, or Blue Ribbon Wilderness Guides whatsoever, however should I ever attack my bucket list and get down to New Zealand, I know who I'm getting a hold of. As with all independent gear reviews at Troutrageous!, I try my best to keep my reviews honest and unbiased. If something is good, it deserves applause; if it sucks, I'll let you know that too. It ain't in my interest to steer you wrong, so why waste the time in doing so?
First day of July. Wow, the keg that is 2011 is halfway kicked.
Is it gonna be hot as balls where you are this weekend?
If so, remember it's winter in New Zealand...at least that's what René Vaz and the crew from the Manic Tackle Project tells us.
So stop being a sweaty mess of mush and check out the latest issue of Flyfishers, Inc. It's online, it's free, makes those cool page turning sounds, and there are pictures of snow & obscenely large trout.
It's almost as good at cooling you off as an 1/2 cherry, 1/2 blue Icee... almost.
Quickie post out of me today. See, I typically write these posts the night before you read them (at least you on the East Coast), and work got in the way last night.
It's performance appraisal time at the old j-o-b. Actually had to write my self-evaluation, which is always a good time. Finding the balance between coming off like an arrogant prick that's full of himself when you try to point out all of the good stuff you did over the course of the prior year can be a little bit of a challenge. Anyway...
I just wanted to tip the cap to Stu's (Orgasmic) Fly Shop in Athol, New Zealand. I make reference to Stu's now and then in the Wednesday Nibbles, but if you aren't subscribed to his lighthearted newsletter, you should consider it (you can do it here). It is definitely one of the more enjoyable reads each month as it keeps you up to date on new product introductions, like this Fish Life rain jacket,
Only NZ$199
but also deals you in on some of the shop-related hijinks going on down there. For example, they've been getting a lot of rain in NZ, which was presents opportunities like this:
"Due to the rain my car park flooded and to the amusement of drivers by and my neighbours . Myself and some customers trying out rods made good use of my new casting ponds. One of my customers was sure he saw a nice brown tailing early morning in the shallows looking for worms amongst the gravel! But I'm not sure if he had taken his tablets that morning!"
So while you should always support your local fly shop (if you've got one and they're good folks), I suggest checking out Stu's every now and then as well. The exchange rate isn't terrible and you can get some cool stuff you might not otherwise find in the States...like his "Superior" flies.
From the back of the DVD box, the basic summary of the film is as follows:
"The stuff of folklore, ‘Once in a Blue Moon’ unravels the mystery of an event that occurs briefly once a decade. This strange and unreal journey takes us into some of the most remote and beautiful parts of New Zealand as we follow one anglers quest to document and unravel a childhood mystery and catch the fish of a lifetime."
The "mystery of an event" described above is that the mice population swells every few years to the point that there's so many, they become targets for really big brown trout (if they fall into or attempt to swim through the water). This puts the folks making the film on a quest to see if they can not only time the rodent explosion correctly, but also land some of these trout on mice flies...yes, mice flies.
Of course they do, and gratuitous fish porn results. We're talking great footage of the New Zealand landscape (via helicopter), some superior fly casting technique, and the cruising/feeding trout (via underwater camera). The thing I really appreciated was that this isn't the typical "trout bum" DVD that's out there these days - it's a little more scientific in approach, something similar to what you might find on the National Geographic channel. I especially like the little segment on the eels that also like to dine on the mice.
The DVD is about 40 minutes long, and goes for about $30 bones.
