In the heart of New Zealand’s North Island lies the Taupo District—a world-class trout fishery where brown and rainbow trout thrive in pristine, challenging waters. New Zealand offers some of the world’s incredible trout fishing, where big brown trout are known to emerge from the depths for the most satisfying dry fly eats. Follow along as Simon Jolly and Oliver Jones explore remote stretches of water, including exclusive access to Māori land on the Ripia River. With cultural perspective from Māori guide Tom Loughlin of Kai Waho, the film goes beyond the cast, offering a deeper look at the land, its people, and the powerful bond between them. We sat down with Simon Jolly to get a deeper insight behind the filming of this amazing video.
Flylords: What makes the Taupo region special?
A: The Taupo region of New Zealand is pretty unique.The lake itself is about 240sq miles with smelt as its abundant food source which allows the trout to grow very quickly. Feeding in to the lake are 40 rivers and streams that the trout use to spawn. The majority of the tributaries can be fished all year round and with winter spawning runs providing amazing fishing. These rivers combine nice cold, clean water and perfect river beds for the trout to spawn in which when combined with the lake make the Taupo fishery one of the most productive and healthy Rainbow and brown trout fisheries in the world. Outside of this catchment are numerous rivers and streams which are home to resident trout rather than the migrating lake fishery. These trout are harder to reach and combined with many hours walking or jumping in a helicopter put the angler in remote backcountry areas. These rivers are closed down during the winter months. The back country rivers are all different and require more technical skills but are highly rewarding.
Flylords: Can you tell us more about the characters in this video? (Simon, Ollie, etc)
A: Simon grew up in the Taupo region and has been involved in the tourism business in New Zealand for over 35 years. Currently the General Manager of Chris Jolly Outdoors in Taupo which is an outfitting company that caters not only to fly fishing but Hiking , mountain biking and also charter work out on the lake. First started fly fishing at the age of five and has been passionate about it ever since. Also spent 25 years as a hunting guide on Red Stag but these days managing upwards of 40 staff limits my time in the mountains and streams.
Olie Jones is a Kenyan national and grew up in the in the bush of Kenya with a background in safari tourism. Olie has fished and guided all around the world with his claim to fame being one of a handful of people having caught a Goliath Tiger fish in the Congo, an area that he was involved with opening up to guided trips and spent a couple of seasons in the jungle chasing the incredibly hard to catch fish. Olie joined the Chris Jolly team about 7 years ago and now heads up the guiding side of the business.
Flylords: How do the fish in New Zealand get so big? (you mentioned in the video “fish don’t get big by being dumb”, could you elaborate more on this?)
A: In order to trout to grow big they have to have a very healthy environment to live in. Clean water along with great spawning grounds allow the trout the trout to bread well but having a healthy food source that is abundant is the key. Trout are like humans, the easier the food source is to find the faster and fatter they will grow and the Taupo fishery provides this which is primarily why we don’t judge our fish in length but rather in weight as its not uncommon to have a 20 inch trout weighing over 5 pounds.
What this also means is that you have to get everything right to catch these fish. With plenty of food about they have the luxury of being very particular about what they eat and anything unnatural in the water column doesn’t stand a chance. Presentation is the key, not as important is they fly selection. The drift and leader length are essential to being productive in the Taupo region and New Zealand in general . Don’t get me wrong, the wrong flies wont catch fish but the right flie wont get a look in either if its not presented properly. If your coming down to New Zealand practice , practice practice before you get here!!
Check out the full Video of the Week HERE, and for the ultimate New Zealand Fly Fishing Experience check out NewZealandWaters website HERE!
