New Zealand has a great many insects common to North America and to Western Europe. Among these are the mayflies, damsels, and caddis,(called sedge in NZ). New Zealand trout grow big on a variety of diets. This allows for some degree of "Chuck and chance it". Expert angler Keith Drapper reports the stomach finding of a 3 pound brown trout taken one January evening on the Waipunga as follows: He started off his afternoon with one of his young brothers about five inches long. Then he began on cicadas until he was really stuffed. Mixed with these were tiger beetles and longhorn pinus beetles, a couple of green beetles and one blow fly. He fell to a Coch-y-Bundhu, a beetle imitation. We thank Keith Drapper for his advise with this section.
Beetles (coleoptera) Green and Brown: Brown beetle begins to show in good numbers in late October and swarms for 6 weeks though present all year in some places. The green or manuka beetle is a favorite of trout. Clusters of them hang from the manuka bushes streamside and you will always find trout beneath these bushes eagerly awaiting dinner. Tiger beetles are also numerous but trout seem to much prefer the green and brown beetle. The Coch-y-Bundhu, Zug Bug, Manuka Beetle patterns do a good job imitating these insects.
Caddis (Trichoptera): The caddis, commonly referred to as the sedge in the UK, NZ and Canada, is taken by trout in both its larval and adult form and is the main source of feed on many New Zealand trout streams. The sandy cased caddis is found everywhere as is the stick caddis. A lightly weighted, sparsely dressed dull colored nymph such as a Hare's ear fished along the bottom imitates these critters well. Try some of the new bead head flies. As the caddis larvae pupates the fly will appear on the surface and skitter to the shore. Elk Hair Caddis, and other caddis patterns such as the March Brown fished down and across often bring explosive rises. Humpies, Wulffs and Deer Hair Spiders work well here as well. Bring all your caddis patterns.
Cicadas: You will hear the constant chorus of these insects stream-side on warm summer days. Trout cannot resist them. Large black or brown palmers on #6 hooks seem to suggest these insects best. Ask locally in NZ about cicadas patterns.
Dragon and damsel flies (odonata): All New Zealand lakes have these species of insect. They are taken primarily in their larval and nymph form. Standard North American patterns work well.
Mayflies (ephemeroptera): New Zealand has over twenty recognized species of mayflies. Trout eat them as nymphs, emergers, adults and spinners. Some species in NZ emerge by climbing out on stones. Dry flies in sizes 14 to 18 are used. Suggest Pale Morning Dunn, Pale Olive Dunn, Iron Blue Dunn, Peveril, Blue Spinner, Dark Spinner, Peacock Spinner, Trico Spinner. Bring all your mayfly patterns. It is tough to bead the Pheasant Tail Nymph tied Andre Puyans style for imitating the nymph. We dress them with and without peacock thorax, lightly weighted. The Zug Bug in small sizes works as well.
Stone flies (Plecoptera): To be found on many New Zealand streams. There are three species. Two are somber looking guys about a half inch long. The green stone is over an inch in length. American Sofa Pillows and Stone Fly Nymph patterns work well is smaller size.
Fresh Water Crayfish (Crustacea): Trout love these critters which abound in most lakes and streams in New Zealand. They range in size from fractions of and inch to six inches long. There are several productive NZ patterns which you can buy there which when fished deep with a jerky retrieve take trout readily.
Shrimp: These guys live among the water weeds and in backwaters and estuaries. Cream and translucent American style scud and shrimp patterns will produce.
Whitebait (Galazias Atenuatus): These minnows frequent the estuaries where the rivers enter the ocean and both resident and sea-run browns in the coastal streams feed upon them prolifically. Early season, October and November especially good time. A lightly dressed and slim profile Gray Ghost fished down and across can provoke smashing results. Whitebait were introduced into Lake Taupo causing the great fishery to develop. Taupo trout feed heavily on these minnows.