Choose a pattern that will get noticed and is either heavy enough to sit on the bottom, or light enough to fish near the streambed. A Loon Black drop set above a blood knot several inches from your fly will give additional weight and keep your fly down in the sweet zone, just above the snaggy debris.
Caddis larvae patterns are a safe bet after a lot of rain, when mature mayfly and the likes have washed out. These hardy creatures secure themselves to and within the crevasses of rocks, so they can weather out the majority of floods and freshes.
Fishing conditions and trout behaviour can vary with changing weather, water flow and food availability. It is, therefore a good idea to check with local fly shops or experienced anglers in the area for the most up-to-date information on successful fly patterns and techniques specific to the river or lake you are fishing.
However, these fly patterns are tried and tested options for fishing in the Taupō region at this time of year.
Hare and Copper
A classic nymph pattern that imitates various aquatic insects. It features a body made of natural hare's fur, with copper wire ribbing. This fly is known for its effectiveness throughout the year, including during the winter months.
Jason’s Rainbow Bomb
This simple, effective fly is another hare and copper style pattern with a colourful rainbow bead that attracts plenty of spawning fish. It is a heavier fly, designed to sit on the river bottom.
Glo-Bug
These egg imitations can be highly effective during the spawning season, which occurs in the Taupō region between May to October. Choose various colours like orange, pink, or chartreuse to imitate the eggs of spawning trout.
Pheasant Tail Nymph
Another versatile nymph pattern that is an excellent choice for winter fishing. It imitates mayfly nymphs and can be fished near the bottom where trout tend to hold during colder periods.
Olive Woolly Bugger
This popular streamer pattern can be effective in winter. The olive colour scheme closely resembles small fish or leeches, which are important food sources for trout during this time. Vary your retrieve speed to find what works best.