North Island Landscapes

On Saturday, I fished with R.W. Blackwell (pen name) of Richmond and Peter Wilton, a New Zealand guide who has been fishing for trout since he was 12. We drove through rain and mist for more than an hour southwest of Taupo on the west side of the range of active volcanos. We went to a large ranch and after parking hiked about a mile down a steep slope and through thick woods to where Peter said, "The Hobbits live." Apparently the Kiwis believe that the Hobbits have immigrated to NZ since the Rings movies were made. Above is Peter and I with the best fish of this wilderness river (Manganui Ao Te). Wild rainbows and very fast water. Below (double click on the picture to see the better view) is the valley where the river meanders with Peter the guide on the right. We were watching a falcon soar above the valley. Notice the irregular contour from ancient volcanic activity. This picture is actually 4 frames wide.


This is a picture of the long pool where the above fish was caught. In the center it is about 20 feet deep. Later in the day I hooked but did not land a even larger rainbow who went down into the pool and after about a minute spit out the little hare's ear nymph. Later I will post a picture which R.W. took of the amazing crossing the rushing stream above boinling rapids......

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