Since the introduction of jigging for trout, this fun and very fruitful method of fishing has made catching trout in lakes a lot more fun than dragging them in on heavy lead lines.

If you’re anything like me, when it comes to holiday time, the first thing you think is…I wonder if I can take a rod and reel. If it’s a YES, this thought process quickly evolves into some research, and subsequent agonizing, over how much gear, how many lures, what weight line, when you’ll escape and so on. This year, a family escape actually meant escaping the family. Well, the kids anyway. Just my wife, brother, and sister-in-law, all alone on a four day journey canoeing 145 kilometres down the middle reaches of the mighty Whanganui (once Wanganui) River from Taumarunui to Pipiriki. The plan was to canoe the river and stay at the camping and glamping opportunities on offer along the way. Just good outdoor action adventure paddling our way through canyons and the odd rapids. In my mind…surely there would be trout fishing opportunities?

One of the most underrated, and under-utilised lures available to fishermen really does come in a small package. Although the old saying ‘big bait – big fish’ will often hold true, it was a long time ago, from well-respected fishing legend Rick Pollock, that I heard the opposing argument ‘elephants eat peanuts’.