THE NZ FLY FERNS

Sport Fly Fishing NZ’s first all-women team to represent the country at the world championship level is (pictured from left) Suzie Foggo, Rachel McNae, Heather Carrington, Louise Stuart and Sarah Delany. “We’re a diverse group of women,” says Rachel, the team’s captain. “We have different jobs, different backgrounds. We all bring our different strengths and skills.” In a fly-fishing competition, each competitor is allocated a section of a river for a set time, with a controller nearby, looking on. When a fish is landed, it's taken to the controller in a net and its length measured and recorded. Competition fly-fishers have strict protocols, ensuring the fish stays in the water, is quickly and carefully freed from the barbless hook, then gently released. The controller must observe it swim away. Points are given for catching the fish and for fish length. In a team situation, the team’s points are compiled together. “The great thing with our team is that no one’s in it for themselves,” says Rachel. “We’re in it because we love trout fishing. We want to grow the sport and have a respected presence.”