I bought some 'fish porn' videos of New Zealand a couple days ago. I
must say that as a fan of stalking and sight fishing it looks pretty darn
good. Big fish, visible fish.


Anyone here been to New Zealand, fishing? I'd be going for a couple
months and am as interested in information about availabilty of cheap
camping/ lodging and ground transportation as the actual fishing. In
other words, "travel" info over "fishing" info ... but I'm eager for any
and all information. I have ZERO interest in guides and guided fishing
... just not my style.

Larry, I run a small Fly Fishing Club in the Central North Island of NZ. I'm
lucky enough to live 30 minutes drive away from the Tongariro River - NZ's
best known fly fishing river that feeds Lake Taupo.

I thoroughly recommend fishing this river if NZ is on your list. The fish
are generally of a good size - the current minimum length is 45 cm (just
under 18 inches), and bag limits of 3 fish are relatively common. While the
average size has been smaller than normal this year (around 3 lbs), the fish
are still worth taking home for the pan.

The river runs through a town that thrives on fishing. The locals are
generally helpful to out of towners - the fishing shops know their
livelihood depends on it. If you want to get an idea of the fishing then
check out http://tongarirorivermotel.co.nz/daily-report/. This daily report
is written by one of the local motel owners, and should give you an idea of
the fishing.

If you prefer to try a river out for yourself rather than have a guide take
you through, then you will save yourself a lot of money, but those who stay
at the motel often take advantage of eachothers company on the river anyway.

Trent Corbett
(long time lurker)