Thirty years ago to the month, I took my first fly casting instructor exam. Three decades ago! How time flies. Two and a half years later I started Sexyloops by mistake. It’s been an amazing journey.

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There is a moment in the year when the weather suddenly cools in New Zealand. I usually accidentally lock my cat in the garage around now — he's in there hunting the lizards and insects that have come indoors to escape the cold. This is the time of year when the trout start to migrate up the rivers from the lakes. There are some all-year fisheries around NZ after the seasons close — often in the cooler spots, places like the Taupō tributaries. Winter brings rain and occasionally snow. The trout don't really mind — they have their winter business to do.
Living up north, I watch the weather. If a gap opens up between work, family, and a decent forecast, I go for it. Sometimes it's a quick day or two away. I pack the car, line all the rods up, charge my torches and weigh up various fishing methods. Start driving. Fish the evening, fish the next day, drive home satisfied.

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Earlier this week I was pondering what to write about whilst wading down a flat having just lost a bonefish to a leader breakage, it then came to me that I should write about the various ways I've lost fish on this trip.  Having decided on the topic a thought popped into my head – I'd not been 'sharked' once in over four weeks of fishing.  Now obviously this moment of cerebral smugness was not going to go unpunished by the fishing gods and the very next fish I hooked, literally no more than fifteen minutes later, was eaten by a super fast moving lemon shark.

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This week I thought I'd give you a wee break from the saltwater stuff this week with a nice dry fly: the tape wing caddis. It's very good.

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”The first 30 feet excluding the level excluding the level tip.”

I’ve been sick since the last FP. I started to get sick somewhere around last Wednesday. Some mild fever, a bit of coughing, a bit stuffy nose, a bit tired. Nothing too bad, but too bad to do anything. So not the best time. No fishing, a few minutes of casting. Actually some quite good casting, which is good as I’m arranging a competition next Saturday. Today Friday is the first day since I started to get sick that I’m feeling somewhat fine. I don’t think my swimming last week is to blame for me getting sick. But one thing is for sure it didn’t make me feel better or more healthy, like some cold swimmers like to claim. It seems like the first rule of winter swimming is to talk about winter swimming.

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Let’s start with the ugly. I have an EARLY flight to Los Angeles tomorrow morning and reserved a room at the Airport Econo Lodge at ORF (Norfolk, VA). I returned my rental car and called for the 24 hour shuttle. Contrary to their bookers website they don’t have one. Despite their near airport location the round trip uber will be $50. Fuck. I got the room. Without getting graphic lemme just say it’s the worst room I’ve ever rented. This includes a hotel I stayed in once in 1969 that had sand floors, cots to sleep on and bamboo slat walls with animals. Maybe that was worse but somehow excusable as it cost $4 per night and came with two meals. I’m going to sleep in my clothes. 

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