Stories & Interviews

Wading Through Time is a series of interviews with women who have been part of the story of fly fishing in New Zealand. Through their memories and experiences we celebrate the people, rivers, friendships and moments that have shaped their journeys.

Vicky May: Angler and Advocate

by

In this interview, Vicky May shares her journey from a childhood spent hunting and fishing to discovering the rewards of fly fishing and giving back through Fish & Game governance. She reflects on confidence, self-reliance, and why more women should have a voice, not only on the water but around the decision-making table. (Feature photo: Vicky May with Corina Jordan.) Vicky, how did you get into flyfishing? My background is Hunting and Fishing from the days when I was a very young child from opossum trapping to deer stalking with my father. I have endless treasured memories of adventures around duck shooting, camping out and fishing with different family members. I always recall the adrenaline pumping and the excitement catching my first fish without help. Must have been about 11yrs old. Watching and waiting, sitting back in the tussocks for what I felt back then was like endless hours. Feeling the anticipation, trying to be patient, and praying the trout rising around my bait would be its hopefully final destination. I could visualize in my head ( no polarized glasses then) that the very clever trout was eying up my bait. When hooked the sheer excitement of the tugging, leaping, … Read more

“Get out and have fun!” – with Kylie Sargeant

by
Kylie with first big brown trout caught in New Zealand! Caught on a 6 weight rod.

In this edition of our Wading Through Time series, we catch up with Kylie Sargeant, a dedicated angler and certified casting instructor whose journey began by chance during family holidays in Australia. Now a Fish and Game Councillor and passionate advocate for the sport, Kylie shares her insights on the meditative nature of fly fishing, the importance of environmental stewardship, and her commitment to helping women find confidence on the water. How did you get into fly fishing, Kylie?  By chance actually. I started fishing as something to do on school holidays with my kids back in Australia. We first dropped a handline off a footbridge at the beach and they were successful and caught fish, so they wanted to do more. Then we got them little spin rods and it was just something we did on holidays. On the annual Christmas pilgrimage to go and see family, we would stop at places and they would go for a fish.  One trip we camped next to a Scottish fly fisherman and he had the kids sitting around his camp table showing them how to tie flies, and he showed them how to cast. I also had a go and really liked it, … Read more

Cherry Twaddle: Still Exploring New Places

by

In this interview with Cherry Twaddle, we hear how a chance casting lesson sparked a lifelong passion for fly fishing, leading to treasured friendships, memorable adventures and years of encouraging other women onto the water. More than three decades later, Cherry is still learning, sharing her knowledge and looking forward to exploring new places. So, how did I get into fly fishing?  In 1990 the Taupō District Council ran a Recreational Women’s Day on one of the parks in our district. There were a number of activities to have a go at but the one that I was keen to try was how to cast a fly rod. No one in my immediate family was into fly fishing. My mother loved spinning and I used to go out trolling on Lake Taupō in my grandfather’s boat.  I enjoyed the session with the fly rod and was keen to get my own gear and go fly fishing. I am 46 years old, my kids have left home… I am ready for adventure!  Who have been your mentors over the years? The first thing I did was buy a book called “Fly Fishing for Beginners “ by Keith Draper. It became my … Read more

It’s Never Too Late to Begin – Marion’s Fly Fishing Story

by
Marion with trophy brown trout

In this interview with Marion Hall, we talk about how she found her way into fly fishing at nearly 50, the people who helped her along the way, and the experiences that kept her coming back. It’s a story of saying yes, giving things a go, and discovering just how far that can take you. Tell us about how you got into fly fishing: I was nearly 50 years old when I started. I really wished I had started many years before. However I didn’t know I was going to become a fly fisher. I had always liked salt water fishing, but fly fishing had never entered my head.  I spent most of my working career in Wellington. I met a chap who was a member of the Wellington Fly Fishers Club and that was where I received most of my tuition. Three or four members of that Club played a huge role in keeping me interested.  I had played competitive squash, tennis,  and softball so I think that may have helped me pick up the casting quite quickly. I remember on one of the club on-stream days, Strato had set me up under a bridge on an abutment and … Read more