New Zealand Special: Redemption Day

This was more than just a fish however. This plump little rainbow trout represented several hours of fishing, many follows and three dropped fish across two islands

North island

Having left the south island with my confidence and ego in tatters (dramatic huh!) I flew into Auckland. I figured i could probably squeeze in a solid couple of days fishing in between family commitments, copious amounts of driving and site seeing. Did I mention my better half was now back in oz 😉

The surprise session

Kai iwi lakes are a group of three small lakes within stones throw of the beach on the west coast. Despite their superb clarity, proximity to the ocean and appearance like a great dusky flathead fishery, they are in fact freshwater.

When in Rome…

It was bright, calm and sunny. Typically these are challenging conditions to catch trout as they like to hold deep in the water column.

After casting a Tassie Devil for nearly an hour on the shallower side of the lake I figured a change was in order. I wandered around to the deeper side of the lake: dark blue water basking in the shadows of an afternoon sun.

I tried a few depths – counting as the lure sank, before eventually giving up and just waiting till the lure hit the bottom. It took about 30 seconds! Slowly cranking the lure up from the depths, my suspicions were soon confirmed as an Aussie sized (sorry boys, we’re just not as big :)) rainbow trout followed the lure up. It got shy as it approached the shallow water and in a flash, returned to the dark.

A few more ultra slow retrieves and finally I had hooked up. Now i just needed to land it… (Still no net!)

No don’t jump.
Please stay on.
<Drag tighter>
Come on.
Stop jumping!
<Drag looser>
Come here
<Drag tighter>

Yes!!!

The drought was over. It was only a modest fish measuring just 31cm and less than a kilo. This was more than just a fish however. This plump little rainbow trout represented several hours of fishing, many follows and three dropped fish across two islands.

The beauty of touring as they say is not the destination, but the journey. I went to Kai iwi expecting pristine coastal lakes and left with my first kiwi trout.

Result!