New Zealand Fishing Flies

New Zealand Fishing Flies. October 2017 marked 150 years since brown trout were first introduced into New Zealand. Salmon were successfully introduced by 1905.

Initially, many anglers fished patterns that came over from the old country, England. Over time Kiwi anglers and fly tyers have managed to come up with a good number of trout and salmon fly patterns that have been well supported by other New Zealand anglers, and in some cases have spread around the globe.

There appears to have been two distinct areas from which most of our unique New Zealand Fishing Flies have emerged. First and foremost was the Central North Island. There are lure patterns like the Taupo Tiger, which according to the late Keith Draper, was the invention of James Ross of Napier in the early 1930s. It was originally known as the Tiger Ross. The Hamills Killer was the creation of Bill Hamill who established his business in Rotorua in 1955. Kilwell Sports also had a hand in marketing numerous new patterns.

A second distinct area from which many flies originated was Canterbury with patterns like Hope’s series created by David Hope, who had a bach at Selwyn Huts.

The home fly tyer has a big advantage as many of the patterns shown here are no longer available commercially.