Thursday 19th April – Fishing on Lake Taupo

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Waking up to another beautiful day in Taupo we get ready at a leisurely pace and head into town.

We have chartered our own fishing boat and a skipper “Marty” to take us out on the lake to fish for trout. Lake Taupo is the biggest lake in NZ and was formed from the crater of a large volcano, which over the years filled with fresh water. Some parts of the lake are 400m deep. The trout (both brown and rainbow) we introduced into the lake and because they have no natural predators they have thrived

We headed out south about 15km to an area called the white cliffs. In NZ trout has no value as it is illegal to sell it. You have a 3 fish limit per person per day and the fish have to be over 45cm. We were trolling our lures at a depth of about 120ft. Kirsten has never fished before so as soon as the first rod went I left it to Kirsten to bring it in. Unfortunately the fish wasn’t legal but it was a start. 3 hours later we had caught 9 fish 5 of which we kept. The biggest one (only just bigger than Kirsten’s!) was about 6.5lbs. The weather had been spectacular and Marty had also shown us some of the sites around the lake. What a day on the lake, fabulous!

After cleaning the fish Marty called the smoke house so we could get the fish smoked. It wasn’t the cheapest trip $400 but well worth it - a day I don’t think either of us will forget.

After cooking fresh trout in white wine, onions and garlic for dinner (it was good, good, good) we hit the hay to prepare for our long drive south to Wellington tomorrow to catch the ferry.

Ta Ta for now K & M

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Photos

Kirsten Fishing
Her first fish!

Marty and Kirsten
On boat with the skipper

Comments

[m&d]

big fish!
thanks