What a fatty!  Another Tongariro brown trout landed by Paddy Walsh.  This and other fishy images below further reinforces the growing evidence of huge smelt numbers at the southern end of Lake Taupo as reported by DOC – the Taupo Fishery Managers.

Last week TRM featured Paddy from Taranaki and Willy from Lower Hutt – see on right in rusta drag disguised to hide from DOC rangers.

Paddy has now sent some images to show how they got on.  Their biggest trophy was the monster below – landed by Willy – about 95 cm in length.  Apparently it put up a long hard struggle but after ten minutes eventually he wrestled it onto the bank of their secret unamed pool.  Despite hiding in the shadows, their remote spot is revealed in the background.  He advised it was gently released?

Other less important trout below included the brown 53 cm long about 7 pound and a trophy Rainbow of just over 5 pound…

Hey Ross

Single rainbow was just over 5lb

Brown Trout was 53cm long and 7lb

Willy’s Flax fish was 95cm but was put back for another day.

Plus some other fresh fish.