FISHING NEW ZEALAND: TAUPO FISHERY, CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND

A 12 month season applies not only to Lake Taupo itself, but also to the river mouths and large sections of eight rivers and streams. The rainbow and brown trout of the Taupo fishery account for 30-40% of all trout caught in New Zealand annually. Taupo trout are wild stock reliant on natural spawning and growth to maintain their populations. The trout use Lake Taupo as their "sea" for most of their life. With plenty of spawning areas available, most of the trout run the many rivers and streams during the winter and spring months.

The Taupo fishing seasons are as follows:

October
Season opens for back country streams. Water is cool, spring is in the air.

November
Warmer temperatures. Good nymph fishing, possibly dry fly.

December
Dry flies or dry fly/nymph combination.

March
Nymphs and dry flies.

April
Cooler. Mostly nymphing, with dry-fly fishing on small streams.

May - September
Winter months. Back-country rivers close for spawning. Fly fishing for river-running rainbows in Lake Taupo rivers. Nymphs & wet flies.

Accommodation

Tauhara Sunrise Lodge (www.tauharasunrise.com) is an award-winning, 5-star lodge with breathtaking views over Lake Taupo from each guest suite. The lodge sits on almost an acre of hillside, about 5 minutes walk down to the lake. It is located on the outskirts of Taupo, about 7 minutes drive from downtown.

Facilities at Tauhara Sunrise include:

• 2 guest suites, each with private en-suite, plus a luxurious cottage for two
• Guest lounge with open fire
• Tea, coffee and drinks facilities
• Complimentary high-speed internet access
• Unique indoor/outdoor bar and extensive patio
• 6 person hot tub offering views both day and night
• Reading room/lounge with open fire and plenty of books for browsing
• On-site massage therapist
• Tennis court directly across the road
• Complimentary laundry service

There are many fishing rivers within 1 hour's drive from Tauhara Sunrise. The tributaries to Lake Taupo offer year-round fishing in mountain-fed rivers like the Tongariro, Tauranga-Taupo, Hinemaiaia, as well as the spring-fed Waitahanui stream. From October 1 each year, options also include many wilderness rivers, some accessible by vehicle, some only by chopper.

Tauhara Sunrise can also offer you access to river cabins located on the banks of one of Taupo's best fishing rivers. The cabins are about 40 minutes drive from Tauhara Sunrise near the southern end of Lake Taupo and include two, one-bedroom chalets and a two-bedroom house. Sheets and towels are furnished and each cabin and the house has its own cooking facilities (self catering). See http://www.tauharasunrise.com/kereru.htm for details.

Click here to visit the lodge web site

About your Hosts

Rob & Becky McEwen moved to Taupo in 2002 after 19 years living in Becky's home town of Austin, Texas. Rob is a native New Zealander who founded his own high-tech marketing agency while living in Austin. Becky worked in the mortgage business, but both Becky and Rob decided it was time for a life-change and opened their purpose-built lodge in 2003. Rob's passions include music, wine, cooking and fishing, while Becky loves the outdoors in general, is a great cook, and is also trained as a massage therapist. Becky and Rob have a son in Texas and a son in New Zealand, and a resident cat - Pillpot - at the lodge.