New Zealand report & PICTURE

[Langenbeck]

Just returned from 15 days of fishing in Lake Tarawera and Lake Rotoiti near the town of Rotorua. Final talley was 88 fish hooked and 55 landed-all of which were released. Thirty four fish were 8 pounds or more with six being in double digits. The attached photo was my best fish at 11 pounds. According to the local biologist these fish are three years old and has amazing condition factor. Will try to post a picture a day for the next week or so to give you an idea of the size and condition factor of the fish. All night wade fishing in lakes with an lumo smelt imitation.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/gordonl/NZ11RainbowfromRotoitiTwo.jpg

[Tracy Chimenti]

Oiye, mate! Man what a 'bow. You are lucky and you have my envy.

I spent two days in Roturua doing stupid stunts like sky diving, boozing, and running the Police Dept's physical agility during the town's carnival. I really wanted to fish more-- my intent when I planned the trip-- but the guys I went with wouldn't have it that way. Oh well, at least I was well within the standard on the phys agility.

Did you fish the Tongarairo near town? I did catch some beauties there, but nothing the size of your monster.

I plan on going again in five years and will buy a 4-man raft to fish the gorges as soon as I get off the plane. Most effective lure I found was a government hunter that shot the big browns on the Wangapeka with his 30-30... "because those big bastards eat everything in the river...!"

[Darian]

Gordon,.... You da Man :!: :!: :!: What a beautifullly marked fish. 8) That fish has as much color as the Cutts from Pyramid Lake, NV.... 8) 8) 8) 8)

[Langenbeck]

Tracy,

Did not fish the Tongariro on this trip. Sorry but it is not right outside Rotorua but about 80 miles south near the small town of Turangi. Yes the raft trip down the Tongariro Gorge is an absolutely stunning trip in terms of white water, scenery and big trout

[Langenbeck]

Tracy,

Did not fish the Tongariro on this trip. Sorry but it is not right outside Rotorua but about 80 miles south near the small town of Turangi. Yes the raft trip down the Tongariro Gorge is an absolutely stunning trip in terms of white water, scenery and big trout

[Langenbeck]

An 8.5 pound rainbow taken on a lumo doll fly
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/gordonl/NZGordon8.jpg

[Adam Grace]

Nice fish Gordon. New Zealand is truely a great place for large trout.

[Langenbeck]

Here is another ten pound fish. The condition factor on these fish is truly amazing. These fish feed almost exclusively on smelt.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/gordonl/NZ10RotoitiRainbowatRotoitiDumpThree.jpg

[Langenbeck]

How about one more 10 pound fish for today!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/gordonl/NZ10RotoitiRainbowatRotoitiDumpFour.jpg

[Langenbeck]

Releasing an 8.5 pound rainbow that took a lumo smelt pattern.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/gordonl/NZGordonReleaseTwo.jpg

[Langenbeck]

Just a pretty sunrise picture of Lake Tarawera and Mt. Tarawera. Mt. Tarawera in 1883 blew off its top a la Mt. St. Helen's.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/gordonl/NZLakeTaraweraTwo.jpg

[Langenbeck]

Here is a two year old fish from Lake Rotoiti that is pushing six pounds. Amazing condition factor on the fish out of Lake Rotoiti.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/gordonl/NZ6RainbowfromRotoitiTwo.jpg

[Langenbeck]

A nine pound rainbow out of Lake Rotoiti with a doll fly in its mouth. The fly is a Mustad 9672, Size 8 with a green poly tail & back with the body wrapped with lumo material. You charge the fly about every fourth cast to keep it glowing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/gordonl/NZ9RainbowfromRotoitiFour.jpg

[Langenbeck]

Last of the New Zealand pictures. Getting ready to release an 8.5 pound rainbow from Lake Rotoiti. This is a three year old fish according to the local biologist.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/gordonl/NZGordonwith8.jpg

[Hairstacker]

AMAZING stuff Gordon. . . the average size of the fish you were catching is just unreal. Really enjoying your pictures, thanks for posting them!!

[Adam Grace]

I couldn't beleive my New Zealand guide when he showed me one of his glow-in-the-dark flies. He told me that they were deadly.

Gordon, you are provoing that they are. Keep up the good work.