The 3rd film in a 3-part New Zealand series, this is Fall fly fishing at its finest. In March of 2024, the tourism board in New Zealand, Love Taupō, sent Todd to the film on the North Island’s famed Taupō District. There Todd captured 4 days on various waters with Simon Jolly and Oliver Jones, particularly highlighting the Ripia River, where Tom Loughlin of Kai Waho caretakes. This year, Taupō’s Fall season experienced very low river levels and cold temps. In fact, the area recorded some of the coldest March weather, with even a few frosts during Todd’s filming.
The low water called for fishing subsurface, and sight nymphing was the key during these conditions. But there were a few opportunities for dry fly fishing, and anglers on camera do a great job. The Taupō District is famed for being the first location in New Zealand where brown trout were introduced, and it’s clear that trout continue to thrive here. New Zealand is a special place, and for Todd it was a pleasure to be there again with his camera. Thanks to R.L. Winston Rod Company, Scientific Anglers, Skwala Fly Fishing and Chris Jolly Outdoors. Special thanks to Jane Wilson at Love Taupō. Their support made this film possible.
For more information about the Taupo region of
New Zealand, check out Taupo Tourism’s Love Taupō.
Special thanks to Love Taupo, R.L. Winston Rod Company, Scientific Anglers, Skwala Fly Fishing and Chris Jolly Outdoors for supporting this film project.
Contributed By
Todd Moen
Todd’s combined interest in film and fish began as a kid: he explored and filmed the big waters of western Washington and the blue-ribbon trout streams of his birthstate Montana. Years of traveling the far ends of the globe as a professional videographer and burning the midnight oil to design web media, Todd is living his dream with the production of Catch Magazine.
