The Lake O fishing is reported as being hard over the last week as the water temperature has been too low. After suffering severe damage from Cyclone Gabrielle over a year ago, the harvest of the pine forest along SH47 has left the lake more exposed and colder than ever.

This is ironic after DOC (Department of Conservation are the Taupo Region fishery managers) had closed the lake for fishing in February each year as the water temperature was considered too warm for trout survival. So far TRM have not found one Lake O angler who agrees with their closure.

So the TRM inmates below – Greg from USA and John from West Island ventured further afield to explore the Whakapapa and Wanganui Rivers. The rivers were still too high after the recent rain but that took nothing away from the perfect fly fishing environment making the circuit over the hill worthwhile. The photos illustrate the conditions.