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By international standards, the
North Island's central region winter trout is quite impressive and New
Zealanders don't fully appreciate how lucky they are
to have it at their very own backyard.
For many, Taupo and Rotorua is only a few hours travel and is
within easy access for a weekend of fishing.
Fortunately, the most popular spots for fishing
spots are very near major towns that provide all the
necessary comforts needed after some hours spent
battling and catching giant trout. Taupo, Rotorua,
and Turangi have several motels, hotels, and cabins
or motor camps and all the conveniences deemed
necessary in such tourist areas.
The Eastern Region Fish and Game
Council’s big fish program has been a spectacular
success, and from all over the world anglers arrive
to try their luck at catching a double figure trout.
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Prime areas to fish are at Lake Tarawera, Lake
Rotoiti, and Lake Okatina and you must know that only
certain areas of these lakes allow angling during winter so
it pays to be aware of the rules.
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Lake Rotoiti is fished mostly at Ruato Bay. Ruato
Bay is a beach located on the main road’s side just
between Whakatane and Rotorua.
Most anglers prefer
to fish at this beach during the night since it is
quite shallow and the fish have a tendency to stay
in deeper water until this time.
Such is not always
the case, sometimes mid-day is the best time to try
to fish for the best catches. A good location is at
the small streams’ mouth where the water flows
through towards the northern side of the beach.
There are also fishing devotees who have their
annual pilgrimage at Lake Tarawera at the mouth of
the stream of Te Wairoa or a short distance from the
beach just right in front of the car park. |
Some of these anglers fish off their boat jetties and still
others prefer to walk the short distance to the left until
they arrive at the mouth of yet another stream called the
Orchard.
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Catching a big double figure trout at Lake Rotoiti
is pretty high.
A large majority of fly fishers who
go to Lake Tarawera employ sinking lines and flies
of the type that glow.
But several old fashioned
patter types such as the Scotch poacher, Craigs
Night'n'time, hairy dog and many more still do the
trick just as before.
Lake Taupo is a special place to catch fish for many
anglers. Each year, many of them make at least one
major fishing trip here to practice their skills and
try their luck at catching the migrating steelhead
trout. |
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A great number of these fish swim the many rivers spilling
into the lake with the famous Tongariro River at the
southern end. The Tongariro River is famous worldwide,
earning a reputation through the great number of big silver
trout that challenge every angler.
Turangi boasts a large number of hotels and motels, as well
as fishing guides and tackle shops, and restaurants, all
meant to cater to the needs of visiting anglers who make up
a major sources of revenue for this little town.
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