We're here for the Trout
Fly fishing. Should it have a hyphen? Is it one word – Flyfishing? Fly Angling. There; that solved it.
We’re here for the trout.
You see, fly fishing had explosive growth over the pandemic times. The wealthy and the able relocated from New York to Bozeman; from America to New Zealand. They all purchased shiny new fly rods, downloaded the location apps and procured a fishing license. Or so it seems.
The result. More anglers walking up the same historied rivers, casting into the same pools. Chasing the same few panicked trout.
Our master plan is to divert an angling subset to experience the nervous thrills of saltwater bonefishing. Another cohort can drift boat down the expansive wilderness rivers of Chile. A further squadron will be directed to the magnificent sea-run monsters of Iceland. This collective annual migration greatly reducing the angling pressure on my local stream. The trout can thank me later.
All these new anglers are going to need the right gear.
But first, some background on the angler behind Southyflyfisher, Michael Gregg.
Self-confessed Gear Junkie
I get to go fishing with fun people in exotic places. It's here I can test all sorts of fly fishing paraphernalia, apparel and tramping kit and get others to help with the photos. Then I write it up and share it online. Of course it’s packed with opinions that many (those unaware of conscious bias) might not agree with.
With any luck, a few fish are caught and carefully released along the way too.
My hope is that I can inform & inspire anglers to travel further, armed with the right gear and a great attitude.
That's my mission anyway and the focus of Southflyfisher.
Fisher of Flies
That’s me above. I've been fly fishing the South Island since 1982. I remember seeing my first trout in a local stream as a young fella, only a few minutes walk from my childhood home. I was climbing a willow limb overhanging the clear green water when a solid speckled brown cruised under my tree, likely searching for willow grubs dropping onto the water surface from the canopy. I saw the fish and marvelled. It saw me and took off. Thus started a repetitive pattern of engagement that has continued for over 40 years.
Back then, it took me months of spooking flighty fish in a couple of the town's crystal-clear streams before I managed to hook my first on a size #12 Dad's Favourite dry. It was a patient, quite beautiful 2.5lb brown, my favourite flavour of fish.
In hindsight, these world-class spring-fed creeks weren't the easiest place for a newcomer to this sport to cut his teeth on. Luckily I didn’t know that at the time. So I hoovered up everything I could read about entomology, trout behaviour, fly tying, casting and small stream stalking (trout hunting is a more apt term). All so I could better the stakes on these stunningly spotted beauties a short bicycle ride away. My teenage years were invested in riverside camps with loyal mates, biking for tens of kilometres every weekend, over-consumption of angling magazines and continual casting with very mixed results. It kept me out of trouble. Mostly.
Since those halcyon teenage years, I've walked, climbed and flown by helicopter and fixed wing, into all corners of New Zealand's North and South Island backcountry – both hunting deer and trout fishing. I've undertaken winter pilgrimages to Taupo and Rotorua, and explored the back of beyond on both islands over endless springs, summers and autumns. I've tramped, swam or floated out of many wilderness rivers after days of isolated camping, searching around the next bend for new water and the promise of large trout. I'm just another kiwi angler really.
Progressively, my focus has turned to salt water fly fishing and to international trout waters. A bucket list as long as my arm now invades my dreams. I will need another lifetime just to tick off the spectacular saltwater locations and toothy species. And it’s already been half a lifetime since that first spooked brownie.
Fitting these expeditions into busy business and marketing roles, raising a family and trying to maintain a suitable work/life/angling balance has been challenging.
Reviewer & Writer
Decades of advertising and marketing experience combined with what I've learned about the angling industry in recent years has put me in good stead to study consumer buying behaviour in the fickle fly fishing sector. I respect the immense power of brand and conscious bias that drives loyalty. I understand the value of experiential marketing. I'm a digital marketer from way back (ask me and you might be surprised about my credentials) so I appreciate the challenges facing the local fly fishing shop, and the myriad of choice available to consumers nowadays.
So I buy a bunch of products that I expect, and hope, will be excellent. I test them and share my opinion on this site. I also share my thoughts and images on fly fishing forums, on social media and across the web. Typically, I'll just share the good stuff. So if I'm writing about it, it's probably passed with flying colours.
I also write about the broad locations I fish, without writing about the places I fish. I hope this inspires others to fish the same places I get to enjoy. To go on the same journey I've been fortunate to trek. I try to share my thoughts on angling approach, access issues, what I see and worry about with the fisheries I care mostly deeply about, and without coming across as another whinging angler.
I interrogate the web for fresh locations, peruse newly released gear, plan more exotic destinations and species to pursue, and add to my fly collection along the way.
International Angler
The '24/'25 summer trout fishing season starts on October 1 in New Zealand. I'll be frothing for some flicking by opening day. Until then I've got plenty on the winter list, including a swag of spey casting practice.
In November, I'm heading into one of New Zealand's finest West Coast backcountry tributaries hosting a small group of international anglers. There's an off-the-beaten-track area with three outstanding tributaries than converge. This spot doesn't see many angling parties each season. That's where we headed. Fingers crossed for settled weather.
Then I'm off to Chile and Argentina in December. It will be a late start to the Patagonia fishing season, and I'm chasing the grand slam of chunky Brook Trout, porpoise-sized sea-run Browns, Atlantic Steelhead, and large lago-domiciled Rainbows. This will be epic!
There, along with meeting a bunch of guides and lodge managers, I'm doing some research into a bunch of streams that back onto the Andes. Plus I'm hosting a small USA group deep down in Chilean Patagonia. These guys will be the first to cast on a previously un-fished Tierra del Fuego estancia. That's pretty cool for them. And me.
The plan is to try to squeeze in some Belize saltwater action before flying back into New Zealand for the rest of summer. That might be pushing things too far, but hey, if you don't plan ... right?!
Then the focus is on New Zealand's South Island again. Deep south. If you're thinking of heading down to New Zealand in 2025, feel free to drop me a line. I'm always happy to share a few thoughts on where/when/how.
Destination Host
I have two saltwater flats expeditions planned for 2025. You're welcome to join me at these destinations. Just shout out.
On these two trips, I'm accompanying an international group of anglers wanting to chase trophy bonefish. Organised by a New Zealand outfitter but open to anglers around the globe, these two trips are also supported by select tackle manufacturers so there will be shiny new gear to trial on the flats. What better incentive do you need?
An Invitation …
Please come fishing with me if you're around where I am. I spend time on the rivers and flats with a lot of different people from all corners of the globe. I genuinely love meeting new people and sharing a yarn or swapping a couple of flies.
Feel free to ask me for some tips and advice if you’re planning a bucket list trip to New Zealand. I’m pleased to help - it’s in my kiwi genes.
Feel free to drop me a line so we can wet one together sometime soon.
Fly Fishing. Two words.