Fly fishing in New Zealand

 

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have the opportunity to fish in New Zealand.  It is worth it to travel halfway across the world and fish here!  Picturesque rivers with gin clear water, and enormous, magnificent wild trout.  We were on central North Island which is primarily rainbow trout territory.  Some of the best trout hunting and sight fishing for the wary 8-10 pound plus stout rainbow trout.  

Mt. Taranaki.

Mount Taranaki is the second highest mountain in the North Island, and it is a monumental geographical feature of the region.  The word Taranaki likely reflects the Māori connection to the land, describing the iconic volcanic mountain in New Zealand, Mount Taranaki.  Mount Taranaki, stands at 8,261 feet, a majestic and iconic stratovolcano in New Zealand.  It’s not only the second highest mountain in the North Island after Mount Ruapehu, which rises to 9,177 feet, but also holds great cultural and spiritual significance for the Māori people.

Some of the most picturesque remote landscapes.

The foliage and flora found around the rivers on the North Island of New Zealand thrive in moist, nutrient-rich soils including plants like New Zealand flax, kahikatea, cabbage trees, mānuka, and rushes often grow along the banks of the rivers. Other native plants include New Zealand sedge, Māori onion, toetoe, purua sedge, cutty grass, tussock grass, and jointed wire rush.  The ecosystem is an incredibly rich that supports a variety of fish, native birds, and insects while also playing an essential role in the water purification and erosion control.

The incredible bug life in the river.

The morning skies were darkened overcast with an intermittent drizzle.  The water was crystal clear and the river bottom bejeweled with colorful large river rock.  Our guide, Adam Priest, from the Mount Taranaki area prepared us for a full day of miles to explore and fish onto one of North Island’s stunning rivers.  The river scenery was so breathtaking, I had to consistently concentrate on my wading in the river and where Adam was.  Stop where Adam did as these huge, wild rainbow trout are guarded and would flee a favorite riffle or pool immediately.

The scenery is magnificent and very remote.

Precise, quiet casting upriver to the trout, or the game was over.  A successful take and hook set required careful skills to fight and bring in these stunning wild trout.  The play of these trout was exhilarating, but needed ample opportunity to unleash, otherwise, it was a losing strategy.  If he ran, you hurdled along. The art of netting always comes right down to patience.  The first fish in the net seemed unbelievable, but an absolute moment of triumph!

New Zealand longfin eel live in the rivers and creeks.

Upon enjoying the unique plush flora, fernery, forests and coastal gardens, I discovered the New Zealand longfin eels.  They live an incredibly long life with recordings of females reaching 106 years in age and weighing up to 52 lbs.  They spend their lives in the rivers, lakes, and streams before migrating to the sea to breed.  They can grow quite long up to 79 inches in length.  Magnificent creatures if you asked me.  They may attack trout as one of my trout I caught had a bite to its tail.

This rainbow trout bit by a longfin eel.

A successful thrilling day of wading and stalking the trout!  A return to the to the hotel for a hot shower and some fish and chips for dinner.  A day full of amazing memories!  A day fishing on the North Island of New Zealand is definitely a goal or dream one would like to accomplish; I highly recommend it!

Digitalis Purpurea

The play of these trout was exhilarating!