Hutt Valley Anglers Club - New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...

Ben was worried and had become a little quiet. Ohhh and did I saysneaky. He got on the phone and rung a friend (a guide) who livesin Turangi. Hans arrived at Lake O with his competition boat andBig Red was abandoned. Dynes and I continued to hit the fish butsurprisingly Ben and Hans were still a little quiet. That is untilDynes and I did another drift past them and just happened to havea double right in front of them. Ahhhh the satisfaction!!!!By evening we had landed more than 20 fish, none smaller than3.5lb, with the average probably in the 6lb range. This in ourexperience was very unusual but we were not complaining. Jaredat Sporting Life was also surprised as allreports had been that O was slow!!!!Unfortunately on Thursday Dynes got acall advising of a family bereavement sohad to leave us. Ben and I spent timeon the Tongariro and he had cause tobrag….albeit we both had a great daywith lots of fish and both being brokenoff multiple times….he did better…… sonormality was restored. It would appear the fishing was better onthe river this year as well.At the truck stop that night for dinner it was decided Lake O wouldbe our destination again for Friday. The lucky boat, Mello yellow,would be the weapon of choice and that close combat between uswas the name of the game. Whilst I did better than ever beforeand got great fish, Ben Slayed it right on into the evening. On onedrift of maybe 300m he landed 7 fish all over 4lb. I was humbledbut it was spectacular to watch.The rest of the trip does not even feature in my memory after thesuccess on O. Each day we were concerned that it would be toobright as the sky was clear and there was very little wind makingthe lake very glassy and clear. We all got too much sun but Lake Ostill gave up its bounty.Will we be back?….you bet…… 40 fish, including 3 trophies (my firstincluded), the renowned fighting rainbows, all in a location whosescenery is truly spectacular and world class. What better way tocatch up each year with great mates who share a fishing passion.We all agree that Lake Otamangakau is a special place and theannual pilgrimage will last, hopefully a lifetime.Footnote:Murray, the owner of the Turangi bach, a fisherman and goodHutt Valley Angling Club Incorporated—December 2013 17