Adventure Magazine Issue 220

Hooked on Fishing:
Worldwide, New Zealand is renowned
for its trout fishing and there is no better
location than the Central Plateau. We
can’t cover every aspect in these few
pages, but it will give you a taste of what
is on offer.
Almost every river, stream and lake in the
region has some ‘trout’ potential. Some
have world recognition like Lake Taupo
and the mighty Tongariro River (ranked
one of the best trout fishing rivers in the
world) but there are numerous rivers
and lakes many with easy access. Bank
walking, wading and boating are options
and provide superb fishing throughout
the region. Licenses are inexpensive
even guided trips are amazing value for
money.
Nearly all of the central North Island
rivers and streams hold good numbers
of wild rainbow and brown trout, with
numerous on-and-off road access points
providing you with a wide choice from
small streams, spring creeks and lakes
to large rivers such as the renowned
Whakapapa and Tongariro. Most of these
major rivers also have smaller tributaries
of which many carry good fish.
If you employ a guide, (there are plenty
online or ask a local store) many have
access through private farmlands,
providing clients with an off-the-beatentrack
experience in almost untouched
back country rivers and streams. Or
you can venture into the remote ‘back
country’ yourself, where you will not see
a footprint all day. These back-country
fish have not been fished or even seen
a fishing rod, many are resident in these
rivers and grow to an impressive size.
Access can be a little more complicated
and it pays to go with a guide the first
time to anywhere too ‘remote’.
HOMEGROWN
CENTRAL PLATEAU
Fishing on Lake Taupo - Image compliments of Great Lake Taupo
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