Top of the North Island Fishing Itinerary

Auckland-Taumaranui

From Auckland, head south to fish the wonderful Whanganui River headwaters (where the 2008 World Fly-Fishing Championships were held) or some of the superb tributaries nearby such as the Ongarue or Waimiha. Take SH 1 to Hamilton, turn off onto SH 3 to Te Kuiti and then follow SH 4 to Taumaranui. (approx 4 hours).

Taumaranui-Turangi

Head to Turangi (approx 1 hour) at the southern end of Lake Taupo where during the winter months huge numbers of spawning trout (many of trophy size) surge up the Tongariro River. During the summer months there is superb dryfly and nymph fishing on what is probably the world’s top fly fishing water where the numbers of trout caught are in the tens of thousands each season.

Turangi-Napier

Travel towards Napier on SH 5 and stop at the Mohaka River where some of the best wilderness fishing for large wild brown and rainbow trout is to be had. In this area you can experience the best of backcountry and wilderness fishing where you are unlikely to encounter any other anglers.

Napier-Tuai

Drive to the beautiful Lake Waikaremoana where there is the chance to hook into massive fish in a pristine wilderness setting. Fish from the shoreline to large cruising brown trout on either Lake Waikaremoana or one of the smaller nearby lakes where trophy fish are common: an experience not to be forgotten.

Tuai-Opotoki

Travel up the Gisborne–Opotiki road and fish the wonderful and remote Waioeka River along the way. Good numbers of hard-fighting wild rainbows that respond readily to a well presented dry fly or nymph will provide hours of sport in any number of spots along this beautiful highway.

Opotoki-Rotorua

For a different fishing experience travel to the thermal region of Rotorua and fish the myriad of lakes in the region. Or be amazed at the numbers of huge fish present in the small rivers such as the Ngongotaha Stream. There is a wide variety of fishing in this region from the deep water lakes such as Okataina and Rotoiti to the shallower lakes such as Rerewhakaaitu where large trout can be stalked along the lake margins. There is also fantastic fishing in the evenings around the many small stream mouths.

Rotorua to Auckland via Tirau

Return to Auckland but stop to fish the prolific waters of the Waikato spring creeks around the township of Tirau where the numbers of fish (though much smaller than the New Zealand average) number over 750 per kilometer! This is the place where you can expect to put the practice of the past few days to the test in crystal clear waters and land a huge number of fish on both dry fly and nymph. Note that the Waihou River was chosen as one of the venues for the 2008 World Flyfishing Championships.