Queenstown's Chris Dore is running Spey casting and fishing lessons this winter on the Clutha river. What's important to note is if last winter was anything to go by then you can expect to be catching rainbows and browns ranging from 5lb to over double figures. And most importantly you get the chance to learn how to fish a double hander by one of the countries only competent Spey instructors.

Chris is an FFF qualified casting instructor and most importantly an excellent Spey caster, with Single hand, Switch and Two handed fly rods.

This is a great thing to do over winter if your family wants to head to Queenstown to ski or play in the snow then take a day out on the river with Chris and see what the Clutha has to offer whilst learning a few new tricks.

For more information check out www.chrisdore.com

The first issue of our online magazine Fly Fishers Inc is now live. Labelled the Back Country Issue this first issue features a number of great insights into back country fly fishing in New Zealand.

Thanks to all of those who have contributed with content for this first issue. We have a video clip from Carl McNeil of On the Fly, a review of the Scott S4 fly rods from Chris Dore, Flies from Mike Davis and photos by Yoshi from Rod and Reel.

Rob took time from fishing to help us with the creative side of the new magazine.

Most importantly thanks to my brother Rob for his help with the logo design, and my wife Susan for the great page layouts, proofing my rubbish spelling and simply making it happen because it wasn't going to without her.

Thanks to Susan for making it all happen.

Fly Fishers Inc will be published four times a year. The next issue will be out September 1st 2010, followed by December 1st 2010, March 1st 2011 and then June 1st 2011.

Please make sure you subscribe and use the pop up at the bottom of the page to send to as many friends as you think would be interested.

if you haven't found it yet, then go to www.flyfishersinc.com to view the magazine.

I've just got back from 4 days filming a beginners guide to fly casting. The DVD has been filmed and is being edited by Carl McNeil of On the Fly, who you will know from his first film Once in a Blue Moon.

Carl has a bunch of new films coming out this year, our film will be on the market in September and is targeted at getting beginners on the water and brushing up on some fly casting theory for the rest of us.

We had a laugh doing the film so it should be pretty fun to watch.

To check out more of what Carl's up to and his other up coming films check out www.onthefly.co.nz

My brother Rob just spent a week down in Southland catching up with a bunch of the local guides and exploiting the local rivers. Here's a few pics of his trip.

The change of season meant making the most of the variable fishing conditions.  Being late in the season some of the fish over Rob's week of southern fishing were in shut down "doggo" mode , so new tactics were launched to get the maximum attention!

Fishing in all conditions welcome to Southland!

Bailing out of Hutt on the first morning flood near Diamond Creek, luckily the waders were in the hutt and not in the truck

A Healthy rainbow comes to the nymph for Chris Dore

Chris Dore adding some extra pressure on an oversized brown with the Airflo Airlite 9'0 7 weight

Mouth's like this aren't just made for tiny flies.....Chris hoists a big streamer caught brownie

Big Fly = Big fish caught shortline casting tight and controlled on a Dore's Mr Glister

Mataurua Brown - matching the hatch with a Dore's size 18 CDC Emerger
rod of choice Rob' 5 weight G2 perfect for balance and delicate presentation

Cool guys fishing a Te Anau river - Mark Adamson on rod and Kurt Houghton

Good guide good company - time out with Bruce Leitch over looking the Clutha River

Despite some tough conditions in the form of torrential rainfall and high winds Rob managed to make the most of his time down south. For a trip like this make sure you've practiced your casting so you can handle anything the weather throws at you and make sure you are carrying everything from tiny dry flies to big streamers, so whatever happens you'll be ready. And most importantly make sure you get in touch with the locals, hiring a guide like Chris Dore or Bruce Leitch for a couple of days is esential for getting yourself grounded when you're in a new place, it's also great to share the company of one of these talented anglers.

I've definately tried my best this year, but with a number of blank days under the belt, a bunch of NZ's best rivers covered and some of NZ's best fishermen to help me along the way I haven't caught any of the really big browns that have been floating around the system.

So here's a wee tribute to all of the guys who did manage to land a few of these suckers and prove to us all that it can be done.

My brother Rob Vaz, had no problems out doing his brother on a recent trip into Southland.....I was on this river in November!!!

Hamish Murray of Auckland - Showing he's still got it under control with a stunning west coast brown. Hamish mentioned that this was the smallest fish in the pool.

Zane Mirfin of Strike Adventures put's countless clients onto trophy trout. This time he thought he'd have a go himself. The result an 11lb beauty.

Nelson's Cameron Reid with a double figure fish taken with friend and Murchison guide Peter Carty

Chris Dore is one of the countries leading producers of trophy fish for clients, here he snuck in a cast for himself with his new Scott G2.

Al from Queenstown with a double figure brown caught from a high country river on a cicada pattern.

Rob with another massive brown from his South Island adventure.

There is no doubt that a bunch of these big fish have gained their size due to bulking up on mice. What's great to know is fish in this kind of condition will most likely last through the winter and be in feeding mode come next summer......well that's unless these guys intercept them before then.