My story continues from the front page
In most cases I tagged along for the adventure. Around my 7th birhday I was given a 4 piece cane rod and reel of my own. It was second hand but to me it was like gold and a lifeline to spend as much recreational time on the river as possible. Having learnt the knots to use to attatch my fly I was off spending most of my spare time on the river when I was allowed.
I had very little success to start with but perserverence and being shown how to read the water, its structure and where to find the fish, success started to follow on a regular basis. With flies being expensive at that time I started to learn to tie my own using materials Mum supplied, hooks that Dad bought for me and a friend accross the road who had a chicken run. I had everything along with Dads old work vice to hold the hooks so I could make flies up. Not looking as good as the bought ones but they still caught fish, mainly in the bigger wet styles. In later years I really took a serious interest in tying flies that has set me up today.
Most of my time was spent on the Waipawa and Tuki Tuki river systems. during this time. Fast forwarding time to early 2000 I gave away corporate life, I purchased a Hunting and Fishing Franchise. This was like a toy shop for me along with my two sons. I was back in my element and enjoyed building a very successful business before selling on after 10 years when I moved back to the Hawkes Bay to continue my Fly Fishing passion.
On a chance meeting I was introduced to a commercial fly tyer John Scott who over time become a very dear friend and mentor, encouraging me, fine tuning my fly tying abilities and in doing so I started selling my flies again.
We spent many, many wonderful hours on the water over many years before sadly John past after a short illness. His immense knowledge in reading water, tying flies to suit was second to none, keeping it simple, that stands me in good stead today.
A good start to success is to find out what lives in the river eco system. A simple start before fishing is to turn over a few rocks on the waters edge. This will give you a good start to see what living organisms are around including size and shape. Size is most important, so trying to match the hatch you will be 75% there. The balance is learning to read the water, structure, eddys, pools, long runs, drop offs and feed lines. Learning the hatch is most important as well, watching for hatches, bird life and the time of day.
My flies have not reinvented the wheel but are tied with passion and in most cases I have altered some in a small way that suits most river systems or what works for me. I have also listed a couple of John Scott flies under the ''JS" pattern. These were his go to flies and were a never fail fly! I have also tied new patterns from time to time and only introduce when they are tried and proven. Remember there are alot of flies out there for sale that are there to catch the ''fisherman".
These flies are all tied personally by me and are tied to last providing you do not snag or damage in casting. My selection is small but these have been tried and proven over time. and should help in your future success rate.
Tight Lines
Best wishes
John Maulder
A few simple tips to help
In most cases fishing is similar to going to a hamburger bar. You turn up not knowing what you are going to order until you browse the menu.
Fly Fishing is a similar feature depending on where you go, structure , depth, condition of the river, weather conditions all count as well which also needs to be taken into consideration and thought must be given on how you approach each situation.
Depending on your venture I find the best way to guage your situation first is by turning a few rocks over to find what lives beneath the surface. Finding the size is most important as it will give to you an indication on what the fish are feeding on. This prepares you for what is in the river system. Getting to know this is very important as it starts you on the right foot. Then you are ready to commence fishing but fish your feet first!
Summer conditions will vary vastly to winter conditions as the fish do sit deeper and are less active to conserve energy. Feeding patterns in the winter are shorter due to the cold but on really warms days especially early afternoon you may get a small but brief nymph hatch where the trout will feed vigourosly. Fish tend to move more actively in summer conditions due to being warmer and hatches happening on a regular basis. In most cases you have less weight on your fly as the fish are in shallower water feeding. Dry flies, dry fly droppers and smaller weighed nymphs are used with the exception to this are in fast runs and deeper pools where weight is required to get down to there feeding zone quickly.
Winter time where the fish are less active, they do sit deeper and usually success comes with more weight getting your fly down fast to where the fish are feeding and are generally more acceptable to a bigger fly pattern as well, either a bigger nymph or streamer patterns.
The balance is to be able to read the water, its structure, eddys, pools, long fast runs where fish will be, drop offs, feed lines, log stuctures, riffles, where two waters meet, back waters and so many more places where fish can reside.
Also how are the fish feeding? Are they on the bottom, swinging in the current, taking sub surface or taking from the top. There are so many opportunities one has to be aware of so a good deal of concentration is required whilst on the river. If you let your concentration lapses thats when the fish strike. How many of us have been caught in this trap????
Depending on the water and flow determines how you approach each situation, what fly or flies you will use. Deeper faster water means weight will be required to get your nymph down to where the fish are feeding otherwise you will miss the opportunity. Other waters will be slow and shallow so other methods are required so as not to spook the fish you are going for especially if you are sight fishing. Sometimes you only get one chance.
Why our Tungsten Beads have more than doubled
Over the past year tungsten beads have taken a huge lift in price due to the explanation below. This will in a short time raise the price of your precious beads we use for weight to get our flies down. In time we will probably find that we will go back to brass beads along with lead wire due to the cost of Tungsten. This, in some cases will bulk your flies up with the extra products being used.I guess while these middle eastern wars continue tungsten is going to be in short supply forcing the costs up. Hopefully when these cease there maybe, like petroleum products, a price reduction. Lets wait and see, however I will endeavour to use tungsten for as long as I can to keep my flies streamlined and priced correctly..
The global availability of tungsten is currently constrained, driven by acute supply deficits, surging military demand, and export controls. China produces about 80% of the world's tungsten and has enforced strict mining quotas and export restrictions, prompting Western nations to classify it as a top-priority critical mineral.
Here is a breakdown of the current market and availability status:
. Geopolitics & Supply Chain Chokepoints: China dominates not just the mining but also the refining, powder metallurgy, and alloy fabrication of tungsten. Because Western stockpiles have been depleted, geopolitical tensions and export restrictions have funneled the global supply through tightly monitored state-owned pipelines.
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Soaring Demand: Tungsten is critical for defense applications (armor-piercing ammunition, missiles) and essential industrial tools (heavy-duty drill bits and machining equipment). Escalating global military conflicts have sent procurement departments scrambling to secure the metal.
Orders
I try to carry reasonable stocks of all flies that I have tied and listed so when you do order I can experdite immediately, usually the same day. Sometimes I do get a run on certain flies and patterns and have to tie these to fufil your order but aim to get these done and out to you within 3 days.
All orders will vary in quanities but I have added a freight free purchase to the value of $100.00 or more where I will send to you free of charge.
Hooks
The flies from ITIEFLIES are tied with passion. "All flies are either tied with Tiemco or Kamsan hooks for strenght and durability. The craftsmanship is my passion which has significantly improved my catch rate. These flies are made to catch fish, not the angler."
I tend to tie patterns that reflect what is in the river system both in and above the water. This will change from region to region as well so you do have to be observant on your surroundings. From time to time I may add a new fly after vigorous testing and replace one I have listed but I will advertise this when the time happens.
