Adventure Magazine Issue 220

The Tongariro River:
Hinemaiaia:
Tauranga-Taupo:
Sunrise on the Tongariro River - Image compliments of Great Lake Taupo
The Tongariro River near Turangi has won
a well-deserved reputation as one of the
world's foremost fishing experiences. In
winter, an estimated 10,000 rainbows and
over 1000 browns migrate up it to reach
the spawning beds.
The river is wide and fast-flowing in places,
with long gravel runs, rocky stretches
and deep lies but there is easy access,
even directly off the motorway. The fishing
pools are not only historic but legendary
among angler worldwide: Major Jones,
The Admiral's Pool, The Judge's Pool, The
Hydro, Red Hut, Kamahi, The Duchess...
During rainbow trout migrations
out of lake Taupo through
April to September the lower
Hinemaiaia offers great fly
fishing, especially. The river
generally runs very clear and is
ideal for nymphing as well as
dry and wet fly. Its banks are
overgrown, but trails give good
access. The fish often lie deep
and close to the bank, making
them a challenge to cast too.
The middle reaches of
the 'TT' as it is called offer
easy access off the main
highway and casting and
good fish between March
and September for dry, lure
and nymph fishing. In places
the bank is very high, and it
is easy to see trout laying in
the deeper pools.
Guided Fly Fishing:
The Big Lake:
Te Whaiau Canal:
Whanganui:
Regardless your ability to fly-fish,
highly skilled or novice, fishing lake
or river you will have something to
meet your budget and time frame.
Whether it’s a half day learning on
the bank of the Tongariro river for
first timers or a day trolling around
Lake Taupo with the family, there is
something for everyone.
Local guides know where to go,
what to use and how to use it. From
half day introduction package to
full week away in the hills, drive in
– walking or even helicopter. Most
guides will provide all the gear and
organise a licence. Be prepared
most guides will not let you keep the
fish you catch but you will get some
great memories and photos.
New Zealand's largest lake (surface area of 616sq
km) is situated in the middle of the North Island on a
volcanic plateau 359 metres above sea level. Due to
its very cold clean water and abundant food sources it
produces huge numbers of well-conditioned fish. It is
very deep in places (up to 185 metres) but has many
areas that provide excellent shoreline fishing. Some
of the best areas for shoreline angling are around the
many stream mouths where fish congregate during the
warmer months and to which they migrate during the
winter spawning runs.
The most popular method for fishing the lake is trolling,
including leadline trolling, wire lining, or the use of
downriggers to troll at a deeper level. Jigging the dropoffs
and fly-fishing around the lake shore and at river
mouths are also popular methods (though note that
boat fishing is not permitted around many of the points
where rivers and streams enter the lake).
The Te Whaiau Canal is short slow
moving and deep. It generally
has steep banks with quite dense
vegetation coming down to the
water’s edge. There are few areas
however where the land opens up
allowing for good casting. Much of
the length of this water is difficult
to both find a good place to stand
and cast from. The fish numbers,
particularly early and late in the
season can be very high and the
fish tend to free risers. During the
warmer months they can often be
seen chasing emerging insects.
That said they are often very difficult
to fool and will rise close to anglers
yet reject even the most beautifully
presented fly.
The upper river rises in the Tongariro National Park and
connects with Lake Otamangakau and the Whakapapa river.
It runs through beautiful native forest, spectacular gorges and
farmland. This river has a reputation for rising quickly so it
pays to keep an eye on the weather forecast. The Wanganui
river generally clear, easy to fish and contains a good number
of trout and is renowned to have some large specimens.
Whakapapa:
The Whakapapa is a large, clear river with some wild rapids,
deep pools and long boulder runs that flows down from
Mt Ruapehu it runs through rugged country which is not
advisable for the inexperienced. Lower down it features many
kilometres of spectacular and productive wilderness fishing.
But the upper reaches you need to know what you are doing
and again be watchful of the weather.
Trout fishing anywhere in the world give you great access to
some of the most unique and beautiful aspect of the country.
But trout fishing in the Central Plateau is like nowhere else it is
varied, spectacular, full of history and legend. It offer something
for everyone, from kids fishing at the Turangi Trout Farm to heli
trip to the back of beyond. Your only limitation is time.
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