Have spent the past few days in and around Taupo, at the northern end of New Zealand's largest lake, Lake Taupo. The town is void of beautiful buildings, but does have a pleasant character and seems very lively both during the day and, especially during the night. We expect it to be even more so over the weekend as the "swim across the lake" challenge takes place and everyone from Auckland visits their holiday homes! We've filled our time exploring and fly fishing (with not much success do far, but ever improving!).
Clare and I took a boat trip on the lake aboard the Barbary, a large sailing boat...our guide, who was a real character, took us past Acacia Bay and to the Maori Carvings (which although only 28 years old are very impressive and well worth a visit)...the trip also allowed us to get a grip on just how vast the lake is. The lake was formed in a massive volcanic crater, whose explosion was so large that the Romans and Ancient Chinese document it in their histories. It is a very deep blue colour and the water is crystal clear (theres no sediment in the rivers which flow into it). It is also, so we're told, a haven for trout (but it is not quite the season yet).
Having purchased a couple rods, Pip, myself and Clare headed onto one of the tributaries of the Taupo...about 12km south of the town. We found a great spot with not too much behind so we could learn to cast and keep trying without too many snags. A few flies were lost, and nothing caught...but we could see them on the river bend rising towards the end of the afternoon...Percy, a trout named by Pip, bemused us for most of the afternoon, a large rainbow who sat beneath the water within our vision but refused to take what we were casting at him (clearly not hungry!). Despite nothing to take home we were all pleased with the improvement that we'd made throughout the day...and full of the desire to go out and do more. We were also heartened by talking to a couple of experienced heads who said that it will be tough for the next couple of weeks, but March onwards would be the time. Pip and I have since gone out again for a couple of hours on the Waikato, losing no flies and with a much better idea of things (although still very much novices)...catsing looking good and a few fish jumping high....the river was perhaps a little too wide and fast flowing but we really enjoyed wading in as the sun set around us (and cooling our beers in the water!). Our permits are valid for another week or so in this area, so I'll update when we catch one!
Hoping to be heading to the southern end of the lake within the next couple of days...and to take on the famous Tongariro crossing trek...look it up on the net for some pics (it is supposedly one of the most amazing walks on the planet).
