A highlight moment from this year’s trip to New Zealand
I couldn’t decide on 1, 2, or 3… so here’s all of them!
And a poem that we wrote up afterwards…
On our way down the river, we kicked up a hare.
It gave us such a scare, thought we might turn back for new underwear.
Oh stuff it! I forgot the net,
Nick howled out in regret.
Back we went past the petrified tree,
retrieved the net and returned to the sea.
What a beautiful coast, time to make the most.
Bri spotted the first, but the position was the worst
She passed the duties to me, as it sat not in the lee
I fought that hard wind, October’s gusts know no end.
After a windy month trying to master, sometimes water-loading is faster.
Finally the fly made the right drift, and my hook set was swift!
The big trout on my line, with her net job, would be mine.
It jumped and went dash, our moves can’t be rash.
At last we netted the whale, and I wrote up this tale.
For it was not Moby Dick, yet the best for ol’ Nick.
🐳
🥅📷 @barefoot_bri
#flyfishing #trout #fishing #browntrout #newzealand #keepemwet #vanlife #travel #mountain #river #life #nature #poetry #poetanddidntknowit
New Zealand has been dealing us some difficult weather, and I am happy to say I have been up to the challenge. We have had 20+mph (32+kmh) winds with 50+mph (80+kmh) gusts for a few days now, and of course they are coming straight at us. With 15+ ft leaders to weightless flies… it’s like trying to throw a feather past a fan on high… madness.
Needless to say, I stuck to it and eventually put it all together. Huge thank you to bri for her patience as I “tortured” myself until finally screaming over the wind “YEP! Get the net!!!” 😅 what a memory!
#newzealand #sailing #flyfishing #trout #fishing #wild #nature
Bri has officially caught trout in 4 countries, 3 continents, both hemispheres! It has been so much fun (and at times challenging 😅) teaching her how to fly fish and I couldn’t be prouder to see her progress. Last year she had some fish break her line and one that broke a hook 😳. Needless to say, we came back ready to get her one in the net… and what beautiful fish they would be! Looking forward to adventuring NZ waters together this month.
More mega trout to come 😁
#newzealand #nz #flyfishing #rainbow #trout #fishing #adventure #travel
Oh Canada, you impressed me beyond expectations!
Before making our way out of Montana to drive across the country, we headed north to Canada to fish and camp. When we made it to the river, bri made quick work of setting the high bar catching her PB cutthroat. Shortly after I caught a nice cutty and then switched to the streamer rod. I then had the rod almost ripped out of my hand when I hooked up on what would be my PB bull trout! Shortly after the excitement of that, bri caught her first bull trout too! Clearly, it was a great day of fishing. And what better way to put a bow on a great day of Canadian fishing than a trip to the pub for some poutine 🇨🇦
Now it’s time to work our way around the US to see family and then it is off to New Zealand!!!
This summer has been going by way too fast!
Here’s a glimpse into my summer of guiding with @glacieranglers and living in Montana!
#glacier #montana #trout #flyfishing
#グレイシャー国立公園 #モンタナ #釣り #フライフィッシング
For those wondering where I am these days… I’ve made it to Montana! A huge thank you to @hollingshead motors for getting us set up with this beautiful Silverado! Really excited for all the adventures @barefoot_bri and I have ahead of us in this truck.
After some family time, I made the Ohio to Montana drive, and @rudolph_ had me catching Westslope Cutthroats as soon as I arrived. Looking forward to the summer ahead!
So thankful for another great family vacation with the Kwons! @mkstagram_the_best@yooniverse_8@janeby0514 welcomed us into their home, we got to visit Mama and Papa Kwon for one of Mama Kwon’s “National Treasure!” meals, explore new parts of Seoul, hike around Songdo, visit Buddhist temples during Buddha’s birthday celebrations, daily saunas, countless yummy meals and snacks, and so much more. I am always grateful for the time we can share together. Looking forward to my overnight layover, on my way back to the States!
The 24/25 winter season has come to an end, and what an amazing season it was!!! A huge thank you to all of the friends both old and new that I had the opportunity to share time with in these incredible Hokkaido mountains.
To the Rhythm team, what a fun time it was! I’m looking forward to seeing many of you again next season, for more backcountry adventures and some of that better weather 😉
And with that being said, @barefoot_bri and I have some exciting news for the upcoming summer… we are thrilled to be making moves to Montana, where I will be guiding for @glacieranglers ! I will be leaving Niseko May 20th, and arriving in Montana before the end of the month.
If you’re looking to fish with me in Niseko this month or Montana this summer, shoot me a DM so we can get it on the calendar!
Cheers! 🍶
(Sorry if you’re not tagged, I capped out the limit 😬)
First tour of the season with @barefoot_bri , and it was a good one!
#splitboarding #alpenglow #nature #tour #ski #snowboard #niseko #hokkaido #japan #スノーボード #雪 #ニセコ #北海道
Ladies and gentlemen, allow us to introduce you to Chris Bell! Chris is an absolute legend of a New Zealand trout guide, with multiple degrees in fish sciences. We were introduced to Chris by our dear friend @yoshiflyguide , and before we even arrived in NZ we knew we made an amazing connection.
Chris went out of his way to make our time in New Zealand special, and we could never thank him and his family enough for the hospitality. On the river, he was constantly teaching, having fun, and making sure the spirits were up.
Here’s a couple shots from our first day on the river with Chris. After both of us broke off some big fish, our luck finally turned around and I was able to get connected to this 4.5 lb brown. A fish that would send me running ~200 meters down river, across the river, under trees, and finally make its way into the net. This fish quickly became my personal best brown trout, but would only hold the title for a day… but that’s for another post.
#newzealand #fly #fishing #flyfishing #legend #outdoor #adventure #travel
