The 2008 New Zealand National Pairs championships took place at Lake Rotoaira this last weekend. I wasn't able to fish the comp this year which was a shame as it is by far my favourite fly fishing comp every year. I did manage to pop down the night before the event and talk to the guys. The event was well attended and fished very well considering the extremely winding conditions (I heard on the news that wind gusts in the area were well over 100km/h).

To perform in any competition, preperation is the key and this came through clearly in this event with the team from Taupo's Hunting and Fishing Fly and Gun shop taking the honours this year. The team consisting of Gary Lyttle and Sean Andrews practiced before the event, to find the hot spots on the lake and also to test fly patterns.

Gary Lyttle mentioned " All possible methods and conditions were practiced for the event on both Rotoaira and Otamangakau , we used Scott S4 and S3 rods in 10' 7# for the event because they offer the power to put out big lines in all conditions smoothly and can handle the punishment required for lots of sinking line work, we also needed rods that had the delecacy to handle big fish at close quarters with barbless hooks that are prone to bounce out when trying to bully fish to the net with most other fast action rods. A good alround team effort from all four team members which included Geoff Stent and Paul Jenkins who fished in a Fly and Guns second pair"

What was great for us at Manic is to see that both Sean and Gary fished Scott rods once again showing that Scott make the right rods for all of NZ's conditions. Also the team fished Airflo Sixth Sense sinking lines, with the non-stretch build of these lines the guys were able to feel every take even in the tough conditions.

As for what flies they fished............well they won't tell me. But next time you're in Taupo ask for either Gary or Sean at Fly and Gun and find out for me, because I'm definately wanting to fish next year's event.

For details of Hunting and Fishing Fly and Gun click here.

Thanks to Gary Lyttle for these great photo's