Fishing for (but not catching) Trout in NZ

[Paikea]

Raiders who read my post on our recent trip to the land of the long white cloud to fish a charter for Kings and Snapper out of the Coromandel will know that unlike our expectations and trying numerous options we never saw any Snapper (even in a Marine Sanctuary where they take tourist to feed them) not a Kingie in sight (except on the Furuno sounder) and caught bugger all. Simon did catch a nice Kahawai that was smoked by the local Butcher. Top tucker.

The second part of our 5 day visit was to fish for Trout out of Hamilton. Simon had arranged two guides who would take two each of our team to suitable rivers on the Saturday and put us onto the fish as well as teach those of us new to Trout fishing a trick or three. ($700.00 NZ for the pair)

Simon rang the main Guide on Friday evening. “Sorry, we have had too much rain, the rivers are all muddied up, no good going out” As we did not travel all that way to stay in a pub we decided that we would still go to Hamilton on Saturday and drive some back roads to see if we could find some water that might still be fishable.

Saturday morning it poured rain, buckets of it. Driving down to Hamilton from Tairua we stopped in a small town in the afternoon where our youngest member, Mitch, bought his first spinning rod and some lures from one of the best fitted out and friendly Fishing and Outdoors stores that I have ever been in Could have spent hours just drooling over all the gear. The store owner’s son, on hearing of our plight and as the rain had stopped offered to take us to some of his spots, just closed the shop and led the way. First to his home where he showed us the best fitted out “Man Cave” that I have ever seen. Great bar, pics of fish deer and pigs. Bloody awesome!

He then took us to one of the prettiest waterfall’s that had a large pond at its base and showed us where to cast both lures and bait (that he brought). Again our (bad) luck held, Zilch, Zip, not a touch but an awesome place and good company. Moved to some other spots, just as pretty but same result.

We thanked our new found friend for trying to put us onto fish and continued our drive to Hamilton, Another small town on the way had a market where a local was selling some fabulous traditional fish hooks carved from whale bone and lashed together with bindings made from a local vine.

Watched the Rugby in a pub in Hamilton, those Kiwi’s love to win against us Aussies, we copped heaps, all good natured and a lot of fun. Particularly the young Maori guy who practised his Haka face/tongue out on us. Gee they are scary when they do that. I thought that he was serious!

Next day we drove to Rotorua down some awesome scenery, just beautiful and “lo and behold” clear running rivulets that had several Rainbow Trout finning in eddies near the banks. One spot had nine Trout bunched up facing into the current. The water was magic, clear as crystal, beautiful aquatic weed of many colours, just awesome.

We spent time in three great looking locations that had fish clearly visible. But, no luck. Simon trashed the water to foam with his Fly Rod, changed flies many times to try to tempt the fish but nothing. They just laughed at us.

We then drove to the lake at Rotorua and fished a couple of the small streams that lead into the lake, again, clear as crystal, great looking water and standing on a bridge near the spot where the boys were fishing I could see large Trout swimming down to the lake. Called the boys each time to warn them. They cast everything at them but no interest.

Mitch fished non-stop with his new rod and Celta’s but again no takers. He dragged a Celta within centimetres of a large Rainbow but not a flicker of interest. Simon landed a fly and red Tell-Tale near some large Trout. The Tell-Tale then drifted onto the nose of one of the Trout and just stayed there for several seconds. Awesome to watch but very frustrating.

Mitch managed to lose three of his four new lures by casting into trees on the opposite bank. He finally decided enough was enough, jumped in and waded across to retrieve two of the lures. The current was very strong and at one point he got swept downstream.

All in all, we had a ball; the young guys were great company, scenery spectacular, locals very friendly and Aussie beer. Pity about the lack of fish.

Cheers

Paikea

Simon's Kahawai

Pretty Waterfall and friendly store owner.

Rivulet downstream of the Waterfall.

Whale bone fish hooks. Works of Art.

Simon Fly fishing, lovely looking water, could see Trout but no luck.

Mitch and the Trout that ate a Celta almost as long as itself. Only one caught on our trip.

Stood on this bridge and told the lads when Trout were coming down. Saw heaps but no takers.

Mitch retrieving his lure.

[stormy]

Shame on missing out, H. My mate went out the other day (near Christchurch) and got a couple of nice rainbows.

[foolforjesus]

Hey Stormy,

Looks like your Mate was fishing the canals at Twizel...I hope to get there one day!

[Paikea]

Wow! Great looking fish Stormy, we knew they were there and saw them but could not get them to show any interest in any of our offerings. Other fishos there at the same time had a similar experience.

Some Kiwi's that we since talked to put it down to the Earthquake that took place shortly after we left and claimed that these usually put the fish off shortly before, during and shortly after a quake.

I suppose that is better than saying that we were lousy fishermen.

Cheers

Paikea

[stormy]

The boys got a couple more canal trout the other day. They must enjoy the left overs from the penned salmon farms.

[Hooked-Up]

Not bad i suppose! lol.

Those canals hold world record trout, what an amazing place!

43lb brown came out of their lol. ridiculous.