Rachel McNae is the captain of the Fly Ferns, the New Zealand women's fly fishing team. Photo: supplied
The Fly Ferns are testing their fishing rods and reels as they prepare to tackle the world's best in Idaho Falls later this year.
The six dedicated anglers of the New Zealand women's team are clocking up the training hours on the world class waterways of the Central North Island.
The team is led by captain Rachel McNae who calls the waters of the Tongariro River and Lake Taupō her home territory.
Every possible effort is being made to achieve a high placing at the fourth Ladies Fly Fishing Championships in Idaho Falls in July.
Out on the practice rapids, the team is leaving no stone unturned.
The women recently spent time training on the Whanganui River with two men from the Spanish championship team including a six-time world champion which Rachel McNae described as "amazing".
The Fly Ferns are the New Zealand women's fly fishing team. From left Lesley Hosking, Louise Stuart Rachel McNae (Captain), Suzie Foggo, Pablo Castro Pinos (Visiting Spanish World Champion Coach), Ivy Morrison, Sarah Delany, David Garcia Ferreras (Visiting Spanish World Champion Coach). Photo: supplied
In a male dominated sport like fly fishing, she said each woman has a unique story to tell about reaching the top.
"All of our women are competent skippers of boats," Rachel McNae said.
"Women often pick skills up and slowly build those skills rather than having a brute force that perhaps can be a jack of one trade but a master of none.
"We all have all strengths and work ons.
"The exciting thing too is that we get on so well. We're really open in terms of learning and sharing information and trying things out.
"We're not afraid to modify and try different techniques.
"We give each other feedback and a little bit of helpful critique is also really useful."
Once they've reached their destination of the United States the anglers will cast their lines into spring fed creeks to hook as many trout as they can.
The competition is hosted by US Angling.
Taupo's Rachel McNae casts her line into the rapids. She is captain of the New Zealand women's fly fishing team. Photo: supplied
Organisers stipulate a range of rules and scoring methods with the contest based around catching the most fish in an allocated time period.
And size matters too, with each fish measured by officials before being returned to the water.
Every angler in the team will fish five lakes and rivers where they will catch rainbow trout, brown trout and grayling.
"When you hook a fish and land a fish in your fishing net you will run it back to your controller," she said.
"They measure in on a score trace for centimetres and then release the fish back into the water.
"You get scored on how many fish you catch plus the length of the fish.
"We use barbless hooks so there is harm done to the fish.
"For the New Zealand team the grayling have very soft mouths. We're used to striking and playing hard, so with the grayling we have to do things a little differently and retrain our reflexes."
Rachel McNae said competition is going to be fierce from the likes of USA, Australia, the reigning Czech Republic team and Canada.
With a weaker New Zealand dollar compared to the strong greenback Rachel McNae said the costs stack up.
Sponsors have already come on board to help with teams travel, and the national association, Sport Fly Fishing New Zealand, has awarded a $10,000 grant.
An auction of an original hand made fishing rod from renowned maker Neil Hirtzel will also support the team.
The members of the Fly Ferns are Rachel McNae (captain), Lesley Hosking, Louise Stuart, Suzie Foggo, Ivy Morrison, Sarah Delany, and manager Christine Pritt.
