End of Season Report

I know I didn’t get around to writing up a report for last season, but if I’m being honest, I simply couldn’t string together many coherent thoughts after what felt like the longest 8 months of my life. I don’t think my brain (nor my body) fully came back online until the start of the new season, somewhere between the ongoing “Why am I still so tired?” phase and October.

That said, I did learn to take a little more time for myself, hence the slightly more functional headspace to produce the report below. Moving forward, I’d like to write one after each season... although we’ll take that promise in strides.

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As the 2025/26 season finally came to an end last week, I can’t help but feel incredibly grateful for everything it brought with it (and I mean everything).

The season started off very wet—much like the spring before it. This meant a lot of driving in search of clear water and often trading the backcountry camping experience for the comfort of dry huts rather than tents. My big streamer box got a lot of love during this time, and often became the go-to over nymphs, and many, many kilometres were spent walking in search of fish still holding in the rivers rather than dropping back into the lake.

Then came the mid-season. I had hoped it would bring the warmth and sunshine we all so desperately wanted, but instead we were met with weather system after weather system. Rivers remained high, although clearer water was a welcome change. Persistent cloud cover made spotting conditions difficult, so good backdrops became essential. During this period, I found myself focusing on much smaller mountain-fed systems that offered more shelter and protection than normally needed for this time of year.

Towards the end of peak season, myself and many other South Island fly fishing fanatics finally had our prayers answered. Consistent sunshine, warmer temperatures, and trout looking for surface snacks completely shifted the fishing. One of my returning clients joined me for his second major multi-day trip, and the timing couldn’t have been better for exploring the West Coast. Although the cicadas arrived late, for us they were right on time. That success carried right through March. In fact, the final months of the season produced some of the best fishing we had seen all year. My favourite fly of the season was undoubtedly the Category 3 Klink Hammer in #12—the surface action we saw on it was nothing short of epic!

All in all, most anglers felt both the highs and lows of this season. Personally, I believe growth comes from the pressure we’re put under. This season demanded new strategies, new water, and a few rabbits pulled from hats so to speak. It was a grind at times, but one that was absolutely worth it given the results achieved by clients and the experiences curated. I also had the privilege of seeing fantastic returning clients for their second season with me, meeting new clients I can’t wait to get back on the water with, and spending time with some truly incredible humans.

Looking ahead to next season, perhaps spring will be a little drier. Then again, this is New Zealand, so if you don’t like the weather, just wait 15 minutes and it will change.

Tight lines team.

Photo by Dan Root