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

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 left me to it. He must have been watching me because he came over and said you have taken to this like a duck to water. After attending several on-stream days and club trips there was no turning back.

I did a 6 week fly tying class and that was where I met Robyn Gray. I strongly recommend beginners learn to make their own flies. You soon learn that you lose a lot of flies and they are not cheap to buy.

Robyn and I soon became fishing buddies, traveling with the Club on club trips, and then to Tūrangi on a regular basis.  

Who have been your mentors over the years?

My main mentors were Raika Murray (known as Waimarino Jack to the locals in Tūrangi). I met Raika on our first club trip to Tūrangi. Strato Cotsilinis (Wellington Fly Fishers Club – WFFC) was always willing to assist and, with the help of these two, I believe I progressed much quicker than I would have without them.

Robyn and I travelled to Tūrangi arriving quite late on our first trip. One of the WFFC members  was there to greet us, along with Raika who lived a couple of doors down the road from the club house. We were then taken out to the Waimarino River mouth. They wanted to show us how to walk out safely in the dark. Taking a step one foot at a time… then when it gets a bit soft take a couple of steps back. That was our first introduction to River mouth fishing.

Raika became a very good friend over the years. We fished the mouth in the dark early mornings and late at night. I used to listen in the dark to his fly line. He could throw a line for miles and I could hear the line whistling through the rings and say to myself “I want to do that”.

Raika spent time with me on a local park. I would stay out there in the wind to learn to punch the shooting head into the wind. As a result I learned fairly quickly how to throw (punch) a pretty reasonable shooting head. This line is much heavier than a floating or full sinking line.

We spent our first two years fishing the river mouths.  We would travel up from Wellington on Friday after work. We would be out at the mouth till midnight, back out there at 5am next morning, and then drive home Sunday absolutely knackered.

We then progressed to river fishing on the Tongariro and the TT (Tauranga-Taupo). At that stage we were mainly nymphing but I soon discovered I preferred to wet line. Raika taught me to double haul and I believe that helped to increase the distance of my cast.

Float tubing Lake Otamangkau was another favourite. I recall taking some newbies on a club trip, introducing them to the float tube. We had an awesome time. The fishing was brilliant.

Travelling for weekend trips from Wellington to Tūrangi became very regular, and Christmas holidays for me were spent at TALTAC ( Tongariro and Lake Taupo Anglers Club.) I would be there for two or three weeks at a time. It didn’t take long to become a committee member. I think I have been a member for about 27 years now and was made an honorary Life Member last year.

So, what was that specific aha moment that changed how you fish? 

I think perhaps the natural ability to shoot a reasonable line and catch fish in the early days including a trophy brown, but definitely the mentoring I received from WFFC and Raika.

What’s your number one tip for women entering into fly fishing? 

I would suggest if possible join a fly fishing club, because without a mentor it is a very long apprenticeship. You will learn to fish different styles with different people in different places.  I know a chap who fished for two years before he caught his first fish. I don’t think I would have stuck at it had I not caught fish early in the piece. Learn the river etiquette  and don’t be intimidated by men. Some will in fact be quite helpful.. 

You just grabbed the opportunities, went on different trips, tried different things?

Absolutely. When we started off we were fishing with lighter weight gear like 6 weight because the local rivers were smaller. My first Tongariro rod was a 9 weight Composite Development. I’m now using 8 weight Sage or Killwel which work well for me.

Having a buddy is also an advantage. Robyn and I were as keen as each other and our trips to Tūrangi were very regular.

I have taught a few people to fly fish, particularly younger ones. I have a great nephew and great niece, brother and sister. I introduced Josh when he was 13 and he picked it up very quickly. My great niece, Christine, was probably about 15. She has since introduced her husband to flyfishing. Their little girl who is four is showing a keen interest already. She is out there jigging with mum and dad. I’m quietly taking the credit for all that.

So that’s already your legacy – you’ve got the next generation onto it! 

I don’t fish quite so often in the river these days. Since moving to Tūrangi I have developed a large garden and picked up a golf club. I spend a lot of time down at the Tongariro National Trout Centre with kids fishing in the school holidays, and school groups that visit. Most of the kids are 6 to 12 years old.

Now and then, if I have a 14 to 16 year old with me and when we are not very busy, I will ask if they are keen to learn how the fly rod works. I explain how the weight of the fly line creates a bend in the rod tip on the back cast and how you must allow the line to straighten out before you bring it forward. It is most satisfying seeing them actually casting on their own.

So apart from that I’m doing a bit of boat fishing on Lake Taupo with Steve Dickson, another fishing buddy of 25 years. I don’t eat trout but I am happy to catch them, fillet them, smoke them and give them to family and friends. I’m happy to catch and release but save some for the WOTF event held at TALTAC -they make a great pâté!

And, Marion, what do you hope the Aotearoa New Zealand fly fishing scene will look like in 10 years? What are you hoping for?

I’m hoping that the availability to access our rivers and lakes continues, and the water quality remains pristine. I hope that not a lot changes really. What we have is pretty unique. When I’m out there on the lake I thank my lucky stars. So many people don’t have that opportunity.

Obviously I am keen to see more women fishing. I don’t see a lot of women on the river but I’m sure they are “out there doing  it”. Our TALTAC membership has seen an increase in women members. Long may it last.