Wayne Bellette

1. Joined the Club in September 2016
2. I joined the club to keep improving my fly tying and fishing skills. Love learning new techniques, ideas and anything thing to do with fly fishing. With so many experienced tiers and anglers in the club it is a great opportunity to learn from them.
3. I started fly tying almost same time as I started Fly fishing around 1998. I did an adult education class, and was lucky enough to catch my first fish on an olive matuku I tied in the course some weeks later. I hope my tying skills have improved somewhat as the fly fell apart after that fish.
4. My favourite wet flies are Woolly Buggers. I like all sizes, shapes and colour variations and believe they can represent so many food sources. I particularly like a dark olive/black MK version especially in 12 or 14 for tailing fish. For river fishing I like using both weighted and unweight PTs and HE with the addition of hot spots or flash backs. Another favourite is a bead head olive flash back caddis imitation which I have found very effective both here and in NZ. On top my favourites are Pecks Dun, Black Spinner, DHE, Zulu, X caddis, Bibio Hopper and large foam patterns like a Fat Albert, hopper patterns and simular also are fun to fish. In NZ who could go past a good Cicada pattern from Jan to March. Trevor Berne’s Duck fly is also a very successful buggy pattern that has become one of my favourite flies for both surface and below.
5. I enjoy all forms of fly fishing. My favourite fishing in Tasmania is the western lakes where I love to combine walking trips and fishing. I especially enjoy all forms of sight fishing and this is what I target mostly. If I am not seeing fish or movement I tend to move on and search till I do. I may put a few casts down likely looking water, especially when river fishing, but even then I am still trying to sight something to cast to. I love fishing clear rivers and lakes. I don’t mind long walks in finding fish. I love tailing fish, rising fish, smelt/frog feeders, and wind lane fishing.
6. I also enjoy casting and learning new fly casts. Not only does it make you a better fisherperson it also is an enjoyment in itself. There is a beauty in seeing someone cast effortlessly over distance and with control that inspires me to want to do the same.