In Taupo we are blessed with some of the best fly fishing in the world. Where else can you have a different and unique fly fishing experience every day for a week? Sure there are other places famous for monster trout, but few can offer so much diversity within an hour and a half of a central location.
Taupo is fortunate to be at the centre of a number of stunning catchments that offer a wide range of wild trout fishing. This includes famous spawning run rivers, monster trout stillwaters, spring fed streams, canals for drift fishing, gin clear creeks and more. If the weather is bad in the eastern ranges we can head west or south or north. In every direction there are amazing fly fishing opportunities.
The itinerary below is a popular one for clients and outlines what is possible when staying in the beautiful Lake Taupo region. The adventures described are based on our summer season from November through April, but there are great options all year round. Each day requires travel of between 15 minutes and one and a half hours, where we can depart at 8am and return anywhere between 6pm and 10.30pm.
Day One: Sight fishing to wild Rainbow trout in a gin clear stream, the likes of which you have only seen in fishing calendars. For many, sight fishing is their favourite experience. These streams allow us to get close enough to watch the trout feeding, then lay a fly up to them and watch the strike. As a bonus we can teach you how to Czech nymph for even better results. A great end to the day is an evening rise.
Day Two: Rafting down a mighty river to fish pools surrounded by native New Zealand forest. The combination of rafting and fishing is truly enjoyable, with forest and cliffs and birdlife to enjoy as you float down to the next pool.
Day Three: Stalking monster Brown trout on the edges of a river with plenty of space to do battle. Nothing gets the heart racing like seeing what you presumed to be a log slowly move upstream. When your hands are shaking so much you don’t think you can cast properly, you know you are in a special place. As a bonus you can end the day enjoying an evening rise.
Day Four: Casting to rising trout as you drift down a canal in a purpose built fly fishing boat. With insect life buzzing above weed-beds, you float along laying out dry flies with a tiny nymph dropper in the hope the feeding Rainbow trout below will take a bite.
Day Five: Flying in by helicopter to some of the most untouched rivers in the world, to target hard-fighting wild Brown and Rainbow trout. The thrill of a helicopter ride into ancient forests sets the scene for a day you will never forget. This is another day where you’ll get photos that you’ll want to frame and hang on the wall.
Day Six: Casting to monster Rainbow and Brown trout from a fly fishing boat drifting on a stunning stillwater. Aside from the thrill of the strike and battle, the scenery and sunsets will remain etched in your memory forever. We use a number of techniques during the day and at sunset you are likely to see some truly enormous Browns breaking the surface.
Day Seven: Following your guide as he cuts a track with a machete to special fishing pools that may have been untouched for months. You will sight-fish to some of the most beautiful Brown trout anywhere in the world. The casts are short but you must be accurate or you’ll spook them. Once hooked all hell breaks loose and you’ll need all your skill and a little luck to land one of these behemoths.
At the end of a week like this you may be exhausted and astounded in equal measure. You’ll have a pile of photos you can’t wait to show your friends, with the stories that accompany them.
Instead of having to travel to a number of places to sample these different experiences, you can do it all from Taupo. The scenery Is beautiful, and accommodation and restaurant options are plentiful. The bonus of spending a week with one guiding company is that you develop a good relationship as a team, where your guide coaches and spots for you. What more can we say? If you have a fly fishing bucket list, along with time and budget, then you’ll be hard pushed to find a better option that seven days based in Taupo.
