LOTS OF BLARNEY
Steve Varga pays a visit to Blarney Lodge near Rotorua.

My regular fishing trips have tended to form a pattern. I arrive at my destination, hunt down the local tackle store, listen to a lot of blarney and walk away with a myriad of doubtful flies. My latest trip, however was an exception to the rule. I had worked up enough brownie points for a week’s trip to New Zealand. Internet fares also left enough change in the pocket for a few Johnny Walkers for a restful evening in front of the fire. Destination: home of the experts in the blarney, Blarney Lodge, Rotorua.

Hosts Pat and Helen O’Keefe were fantastic. Both have a wealth of knowledge about fly fishing and evening talks by the fire are all tales of trout. The accommodation is first class with all bedrooms beautifully appointed, including full en suite. The deluxe suite also features a spa. Helen has added her magic touch to all aspects of the lodge from decoration to her mouth-watering meals. She prides herself in her local dishes and serves them with wonderful New Zealand wines.

The newly built Blarney Lodge is decorated with lots of fishy items, including museum pieces and Pat’s fly fishing trophies. These displays are worth a visit if you are in the area. The Lodge is situated on the shores of Lake Rerewhakaaitu, so I didn’t need to crawl too far to catch a fish.

With several lakes and prime rivers all close by we got right into the fish on day one taking a good haul of fighters at Lake Aniwhenua. Pat’s unique style of fishing this lake included working drop-offs for the mudeye feeders, searching for rainbows using loch style fishing and a bit of midge fishing thrown in for good measure. And that was just day one. A whole new meaning to the term ‘learning curve’.

Evening two included one of Helen’s magnificent meals followed by a session on the tying bench. The Blarney Lodge tying room is magnificent and has a great outlook over the lake. Pat had already upset me by this stage by saying that they could see the spawners on the lake’s edge from this point—and this was only six weeks ago.
There are guides, and then there are GUIDES. Some will take you to a destination, others will show you a river and with some you might even catch a fish. Fortunately, Pat’s style is very professional and sets him apart from others. This is the whole fishing education package and starts from the basics such as leader construction.

Two heavily weighted tungsten bead-head nymphs are used for the faster water, and on the slower runs a bead-head nymph is used with an unweighted nymph or Blarney Midge behind it.

Connecting the flies couldn’t be simpler. The point fly is tied on the bend of the leading fly. Pat accommodates his clients by having leaders and flies pre-packaged, rolled up on lightweight polystyrene boards. If there is a bust-off or need to change rigs to a lighter or heavier combination, he has them ready for a quick change. No time lost as stream conditions change. Unwrap the appropriate set up, tie it on and you are back in business.

I had read a lot about mending the line in various magazines. That’s where a really experienced guide and teacher comes in handy. A winter’s casting session with Peter Hayes had debugged my pathetic casting and now Pat was showing me the finer points of upstream mending. Pat sticks to you like glue and continually reminds you to mend the line, having explained to you the simplest, most effective way to do it.

Flick, flick, flick, mend, mend, mend and concentrate, concentrate, concentrate. As the fly travels downstream and towards you, retrieve the slack line, as you need enough contact with the fly to initiate a strike. As the fly drifts past, raise the rod to keep contact with the fly and maintain the natural undisturbed drift. Not top secret, but valuable information. Your guide continually reiterates all the little techniques that will create a better fisherman. It’s all about education.

Pat also shows you how to read the water, cover all the water close toyou and then work out further and fan out. Obvious sorts of techniques but its all about getting back to basics. On one run, fish were no more than a metre off the bank, proving the importance of fishing the closest water first. These fish are resident wild browns and rainbows and they prove to be feisty so without tuition and technique management, a lot of fish can be missed. The takes can be subtle, lightning fast or definite. Only practice improves your chances.

By day 7, my guide was confidently no longer by my side, but I could sense that he was watching. He was checking out the fish lies in the next pool, only coming back to net the next feisty fish for me and take that memorable photo. A lifelong memory to cherish when I am too old to fish!

A guide needs to be able to help you with all aspects of fly fishing including advice on safe stream crossings and avoiding known danger holes, particularly as the streams rise in level after heavy rains. A gentle hand and guiding staff helped avoid unwelcome swims in the rivers. Experience pays off in the end.

Well, I didn’t run over any Hobbits on my trip, just moved from one fabulous river location to the next. Each river had unique challenges, scenery and fantastic fishing. Pat was an exceptional guide, Helen a marvellous cook and the accommodation at Blarney Lodge only made the experience more memorable.

Phone +64 7 366 6144
Email okeefesltd@xtra.co.nz
www.blarneylodge.co.nz