NZ pics.

Yukon Mike

Yukon Mike

Well-known member
Hi guys,

Just a short update. We have travelled as far south as Te Anau on the s Island fishing few spots on the way. Saw lots of fish and even caught a couple. Scenery is great, sheep are plentiful, flightless birds are weird. At this point we are turning around and headed north as we only have 10 more days with the campervan and there's some streams I want to look at. Mac and I haven't gotten into any hunting, mostly because we are having so much fun trout fishing.

Here's a few pictures of stuff...

A freshwater eel the boys caught.

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Trying to net mullet in the surf.

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Ocean fish - Kawai I think is how it is spelled - common and tasty.

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The scaup around here.

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Kiwi style moorhens?

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We found a dead paradise duck along a river. I don't know what killed her. I took a bunch of reference shots and Mac yoinked a few feathers to keep and tie flies.

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We've been referring to Pat McManus books for tips on trout fishin'. I bought some crazy glue and we tied up some streamers with the feathers. Mac made one out of tinfoil too but it didn't last long enough to catch anything. For wading shoes he cut the toes out of his mom's old runners (she wanted to buy a new pair anyways). We're having fun.

Last one, Meg took this one of a Kea at sunset up at a hiking hut.
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Hope you all are doing well and enjoying spring.

Mike
 
Yukon Mike:

my guess on that fish is a chinook salmon which I think is the same as a king. I am just going on color and shape of the head but I am surprised that you would find one in New Zealand!? Guess the brits must have put them in there just like the trout :)

Cool eel, how did you catch that? Beauty fish you got too, you're livin the dream to get browns like that and see rainbows like that. I've heard that NZ trout are better caught using loooong leaders, so instead of the usual 9 foot, try going up to 15, but it will be hard to cast.

So are you a resident of Yukon? Whitehorse? My wifes cousin lived up there for a number of years and always had great things to say about it.

Great pictures! Keep em coming, for those of us living in less cool places :P
 
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I thought this was a landlocked king salmon, but it might be a rainbow. Anyone?
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Hard to say about the fish, sure is a scruffy looking character holding it tho. :>) :>) Great trip you are having. Thanks for taking us along. Did you take your fishing gear along from home or pick some up locally? Do the locals all use flies or do some use spinning gear?

You guys are going to be spoiled rotten by the time you get home from your trip. Whats Jane been up to? She sure seems to be camera shy.
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Very nice mike, some great photos. They defiantly get kings in south island they were introduced. Caught one myself below Christchurch. So yes I would say that's one of them, mine was slightly different but we were fishing sea run in the estary mouth.

Great your having so much fun, keep the story's coming.
 
It looks like the mouth is black so I would say king instead of rainbow.

Thanks for all the pics, I've truly enjoyed them!

Tom
 
I see a white gum line, which would take it out of the chinook/king category. However, if the gums are all black, then it would be a king. It kind of looks like a steelhead buck.
 
Brings me back to my days guiding in Alaska for Bristol Bay Lodge.... Time well spent! Your crew is getting the best education that can be had, family time outdoors.
 
that king is getting into spawning mode. The fresh water kings get darker rather than red like back up here at home.
 
Hi there Jon,

I do live in Whitehorse, I'm just on a bit of a vacation right now. That's funny you mentioned the long leaders because was talking to a local guy on a riverbank the other day that said the same thing. They use huge bejeezely long leaders here.

Hey Dave,

Nice brown you were showing off there btw. Mac bought a cheap collapsible rod here and I ended up shelling out for a 4 piece fly rod for me. When we left home we didn't know if we'd make it to NZ or else I would have at least brought my own flies. $3 each for crappy flies that fall a part is a bit pricey!

Locals seem to use whatever puts fish on the table - spoons, flies, or trolling with downriggers. The hook selection in the stores is quite limited and they don't have a lot of the common lures we have. I wished I'd brought some ruby eyed wigglers, little cleos, and a 5 of diamonds to try. They have Mepps but no Blue Fox spinners. A 4" Rapalla is about $18! Right now all the saltwater guys seem to be excited about Storm lures, which are the rubber ones from Walmart I think.

Hey Brad, I did email Paul, but he didn't get back and I don't want to bug him if he's busy. Thanks for trying though, I appreciate it.

SOrry my replies are so brief guys but we have to conserve 'puter battery and internet stick. Apparently Dad's computer time priority comes after EVERYONE else's in this camper.

We only have about a week left now before we have to move on towards home via .... HAWAII. Oh ya! They got trout fishing there?

Mike
 
Mike,

At the price of the tackle there, you better not lose too much. The CFO may cut your computer time to even less than it is now.
 
Mike
It never ceases to amaze this old fart that you can travel around the world as you and your family have, take an album of pictures for a future look, and share them almost instantly with us. It has become a very small world. Thanks for sharing and beware of the grass skirts :-)
wis boz
 
Great pics Mike. What have you been feeding Mac? He's HUGE

Safe travels and happy fishing! Hawaii has some great Bonefishing in a few spots. What Island are you going to? My folks are going there for their 40 yr anniversary in May.

-D
 
Mike, if you haven't done Milford sound, do it. That place is AMAZINGLY beautiful.

Also, the glow worm tours on Lake Te Anau are really neat.
 
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