Taking the Plunge - A Beginner’s First Trip

When I first joined the Kapiti Fly Fishing Club, I'll admit I was nervous. Despite attending the Women on the Fly workshop in Turangi in November, the thought of heading out with experienced anglers had me teetering on the fence. But thanks to Hugh's encouragement and patient explanations about what to expect, I decided to take the plunge—quite literally.

Last Wednesday, I joined Hugh, Graham, Wayne, Ruth, and Hamish for a day on the water in the Manawatu. We started at Oringi Bend, then made our way around to the Gravel Extraction site, and finished up at Honey House. The locations were beautiful, and the company was even better. 

As a complete beginner, I knew I'd need help, and the group delivered in spades. Graham and the others were incredibly patient as they helped me set up my gear, untangled my numerous casting mishaps (note to self: practice, practice, practice!), and offered constant encouragement. 

There's something humbling about watching your line create abstract art in the air when it's supposed to be gracefully landing on the water, but everyone just smiled and helped me try again. Graham gave up a lot of own fishing time to help me.

The highlight of my day? Netting my first fish—even though Graham was the one who caught it. Then came an even bigger thrill: I hooked my first fish! Granted, Graham had cast the line, but hey, I'm counting it as progress. One day, I'll cast AND hook AND land one all by myself. But first, I need to master the art of keeping my line from resembling a bird's nest.

The support and encouragement from everyone on Wednesday was genuinely heartwarming. This club isn't just about fishing; it's about welcoming newcomers and helping them fall in love with the sport. If you are on the fence like I was, I can encourage you enough to give it a go. Yes, you’ll make mistakes. Yes, you might feel a bit out of your depth at first. But the group truly wants you to learn and enjoy—and that makes all the difference.

The next day, I invited a friend over for dinner to cook up one of Wayne’s fish (thanks Wayne). I am no goddess in the kitchen, let alone make a trout dish that is worthy of the catch! It wasn't until we sat down that I realised it was Thanksgiving Day, (even though it’s not really a NZ thing we celebrate). But it was fitting. It really did feel like a day to be grateful for new experiences, patient teachers, and a welcoming community that's helping this beginner find her way, one tangled cast at a time.
See you on the water!

Anja ​Geelen

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