Day 24: Fly Fishing
Apparently New Zealand is a trout-fisher’s paradise, so Lindsay booked us a beginner’s fly-fishing trip with Gary – a local guide from Wild Trout Adventures who met us at the Waiwhenua Farmstay Campsite, and led us up & down the river looking for rainbow trout.
Spending a morning on the river, flying fishing.
Lindsay had the first catch (a tiny 10” little thing – we let him go), while Igor’s fish was about twice the size! Of course, our teacher caught the biggest fish of the morning – a 6-pounder which he then showed us how to fillet and cook by hot smoking. Lunch & dinner for two nights – we don’t fish just for sport – we fish to eat!
Gary catching our dinner! A 6-lb. rainbow trout.
Igor catches his first fish! A respectable size, but Igor let him go free anyways.
Lindsay holding our dinner! Gary showed us how to fillet & smoke the meat.
Smoked trout – two fillets will feed us for two days!
That afternoon, we made our way to Tongariro National Park, in order to tart “New Zealand’s Best Day Hike” – the Tongariro Alpine Crossing – in the morning. However, once we arrived and tried to book the shuttle to the trailhead, we were informed that due to a rainy forecast & high winds at the summit, many companies were cancelling their tours for the next day. We went to bed with our fingers crossed for good weather.