http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.chrisdore.co.nz en-us Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:31:47 +1300 Rocketspark http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/post/113854/know-your-estuary/ It's common for 'big water syndrome' to overwhelm many new to fishing our larger tidal estuaries, however it's not about blind chuck and chancing it. There are reasons some anglers consistently do better than others in big water and when those guys struggle, you know it’s been a tough day.Estuaries abound with structure, much like our upriver locations, and a wise angler will identify suitable structure and fish it accordingly. Channels, the drop offs submerged debris and the seams, gravel bar... Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:46:49 +1300 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/#post113854 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/post/113853/hang-around/ We have all been there. A long while of nothing doing and then as we near the end of our retrieve, 'WHAM!' However we have just lifted our fly away from a lunging fish and blown the chance. With a slow start to our sea run season on our estuaries so far, I'm cautious not to let even one opportunity pass by. Those final moments of the retrieve, where you prepare to pick the line up to recast are commonly where many anglers fall short...Let me introduce “The Hang”.The purpose of the hang is to... Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:43:45 +1300 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/#post113853 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/post/113852/single-handed-spey-and-the-airflo-skagit-scout/ Recently I received a message from Rob asking if he can learn to spey cast and successfully swing flies with his everyday trout gear.Here’s a secret: that trout rod you have in your garage will allow you to spey cast. Spey refers to a style of casting, and this can be performed with any fly rod, single or two hand. Specialist gear is not required, however in some situations ( tight surrounds, heavier tips and flies, sustained anchor casting ) a short skagit head will make life a lot easier.Lon... Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:35:54 +1300 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/#post113852 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/post/113851/keep-a-caddis-close/ So let’s look at caddis. The good old elk hair caddis has long been a favourite of mine as a dry / dropper fly, floating high with a wing angled upwards enough to see. But there’s another reason I fish them so much, trout will usually shun an emerger, dun or spinner that drags even to the slightest degree. However, caddis routinely scatter across the current and so are a good choice for tricky currents and those who struggle with drag free drifts. Whether swinging after dark or presenting a ... Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:33:49 +1300 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/#post113851 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/post/113850/size-matters/ One thing I often see in many anglers fly boxes are a plethora of different patterns but sure enough, most are of a similar size range, and usually tungsten beaded.Now we all know that trout will most likely eat your favourite size 14 beadhead but what if they don’t? Will you switch to another 14 of a different flavour? Chances are, changing down a size (or two) will get the result. I fish very few patterns, but those that I do are carried in a range of sizes and in the case of nymphs, weights... Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:27:43 +1300 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/#post113850 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/post/113849/fishing-the-mr-glister-streamer/ So I’ve received a number of messages this week as to how I fish Mr Glister streamers. Do I just swing it, do I strip it? Well, it all depends on the water etc and how the fish are reacting.In larger, deeper pools I will often fish them slow and deep across and down, letting it swing under control across the current. While the fly sports plenty of movement from the rabbit strip wing, it can also be stripped in long pulls. If pulling fish from cut banks / cover etc I will land the fly a metre o... Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:23:53 +1300 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/#post113849 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/post/113848/options-are-good/ Having a variety of flies, in a number of patterns and profiles, along with a variety of heads and sink tip options sure makes a difference on those slower, winter days. Add in a bit of imagination and a few different retrieves and you not only increase your options, but renew your enthusiasm with each change.Because lifes too short to do the same old, same old.... Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:20:47 +1300 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/#post113848 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/post/113847/thinking-more-catching-more/ Swinging sexy water. Don’t just fire out random casts thinking they will work. Identify structure in the water ahead of you and think about how your fly will present to fish holding around that structure. How fast / slow will the fly pass through the bingo zone and should it accelerate, remain uniform or slow as it does so? How deep / near the surface should it be. Will it present broadside or not? Should we add movement or just let it swing and once it passes that drop off and could we take a... Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:17:45 +1300 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/#post113847 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/post/113846/stoneflies/ I personally don’t use stoneflies as much as I should in the waters I guide but they allow you to really go to town on profile, accents and importantly for big, come eat me legs, let’s talk more about this...A good stonefly imitation is my go to in deeper, rocky runs, or big pools where you need your fly to be seen. On many of my Southern waters going too big, too soon can kill an opportunity, however for me personally after presentation, bling, then weight, I want a stonefly or two in my ki... Wed, 15 Nov 2023 16:13:32 +1300 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/#post113846 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/post/113845/rules-of-engagement/ 1) You will never, never...never never never ever flick a tangle free from the rod tip.... Wed, 15 Nov 2023 15:50:06 +1300 http://www.chrisdore.co.nz/blog/#post113845