What has Andy gone and done now…?

I spent a couple of days in Turangi on the Tongariro River, which runs into Lake Taupo – the big lake right in the middle of the North Island.  Although not actually ‘native’ to New Zealand, both brown (from Europe) and rainbow (from California) trout where introduced in the 1880’s and since then have established a wild breeding population in lake Taupo and the surrounding rivers.  Because the conditions are just right here for them (particularly the rainbows), with crystal clear waters flowing from the surrounding mountains, including Mount Ngauruhoe (or Mount Doom for the Lord of the Rings fans!), the Tongariro River is classed as one of the best trout fishing rivers in the world.  Massive wild rainbow trout migrate up the river from Lake Taupo every year to spawn during the winter…well I couldn’t resist could I..!?..

I couldn’t exactly stay in the trout fishing capital of the world and not go fishing could I..!?..

Nice…

Very nice…

Now, unfortunately that is it for the photos because I couldn’t exactly take a photo of my catch as I was on my own and was putting it back, so you just have to trust me on this one…it was thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis big…!!…no really though, I did catch one lovely wild rainbow trout, only about 2lb or so, but hey – at least I can say I’ve been there, done that…couldn’t find any t-shirts to buy…well, I could but they were all a bit naff…