New Zealand Flyfishing Streams Around Taupo: An Introduction

Most of my fly fishing in New Zealand is based around Taupo, on the central plateau of the North Island. This is truly the trout fishing Mecca of the North Island if not all New Zealand. Its a genuine wild trout fishery incorporating just about every conceivable fly fishing venue you could imagine from the famous Rangatiki, Mohaka and Ngaaruru rivers, to and many more famous backcountry rivers, and then local rivers and streams a few minutes from the town centre.

Here you can catch brown and rainbow trout from trophy double figure fish to streams full of two pound silver bullets that you can sight-fish to all day long. There really is something for everyone and you can spend a fortnight fishing a different location and a even a different fly fishing technique every day.

I have fly fished many famous backcountry rivers and streams, of which many are shrouded in secrecy. I've had some amazing results hooking many trophy trout and landing some of them, but I must admit my favourite moving water venues in this country have to be the small streams. This is mainly because of the sheer beauty and clarity of some of these waters, but also because they are all so different and receive so little attention from anglers. This is because many locals believe they don't hold large trout, and most people drive past them in order to reach the more famous waters that have big runs in winter and get lots of fishing pressure over summer.

Many of these streams do contain what the New Zealand locals call small fish, but it needs to be remembered that around Taupo a small trout is considered to be three pounds or under. Most New Zealand fly fishermen are equipped with 9' 6# rods and above, so take into account that my favourite outfit for these streams is a little 8'6" 3# and you have a recipe for some great sport.

Imagine as many miles as you can walk and fish in a day on a crystal clear stream surrounded by New Zealand Bush and scenery casting to trout of all sizes and not see another soul.

By: Gary Lyttle

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Gary Lyttle is a renowned fly fishing guide, former member of the New Zealand Flyfishing Team, and fishing author. He runs the New Zealand Flyfishing Company giving clients from around the world the ultimate New Zealand fly fishing experience around beautiful Lake Taupo. See some amazing photos and video of the best New Zealand flyfishing then contact us to book your fishing adventure in beautiful New Zealand.