NZ Trip -- Day 7

I got up early and walked down to the Tongariro. Fishing under the bridge, I got 3 nice fish.

Got back to the van at about 9:00 am, and headed upriver with Dad. The aim was to fish the 'secret spot' near the Blue pool, but someone was already there! Went to the Blue Pool, and it was virtually empty -- just one other fisherman. Decided to give it a try, but Dad spent time getting rigged up, and three other cars drove up and went down to the pool. So we walked upstream -- and found some magic fishing holes (with no fish). The holes were deep, and I couldnt get Dad to wade in deep enough to get a fly into the deep fast water on the far bank.

After some lunch we went to the stream near the jail to try for some fish. Dad was far more comfortable with this stream -- the wading was simple, and the fish would be in obvious lies. The big, brawling Tongariro had him intimidated. I had no luck, but as we were finishing up and slowly fishing back to the van Dad tried under some overhanging banks, and had an aggresive take. he didnt even need to set the hook. After some spectacular splashing, the fish swam under a log, and Dad broke his Orvis 8 weight trying to horse the fish away before it got under the log. Thank goodness for the Orvis rod guarantee!

After a break to re-rig we tried the small stream some more. I saw several large fish in pools upriver -- but I only saw them as I spooked them.

Of to Turangi to try the local Chinese takeaway!