The Tongariro Lodge is one of the most notable lodges when fly fishing for trout in New Zealand. It sits on the banks of the Tongariro River, surrounded by the beautiful Tongariro National Park on the North Island. Established in 1982 by legendary angler and guide Tony Hayes, for the last 30 years it has had an excellent reputation for good dining, accommodation, quality outdoor activities and the very best in New Zealand trout fly fishing guides.
This famous New Zealand fly fishing lodge provides private comfortable lodge accommodation in one bedroom chalets and 2 to 5 bedroom villas, all with private facilities and views of the Tongariro River or mountains beyond. The lodge is the ideal venue for fishermen, but also offers a wide selection of family adventures.
The Tongariro Lodge fly fishing guides provide access to over 40 rivers and three Lakes, offering the most diverse range of rainbow and brown trout fly fishing opportunities in New Zealand. The crystal clear waters make the fishing for large wild rainbow and brown trout very exciting as you watch each twitch of the fin and flick of the tail. The Taupo region is a year round fishery famous for its salmon like trout runs in the autumn and winter months to spawn in the head water of the rivers.
Spring and Summer Wilderness Fly Fishing Prospects
The past summers saw some of the best cicadas hatches and dry fly action that the Tongariro Lodge guides and clients have experienced for some time. With a warmer than normal winter, large runs of trout already in the Taupo tributaries and stable water flows, the fly fishing prospects for this spring and summer are excellent.
By mid-October over 50 thousand prime-conditioned trout averaging 3.5 – 6 lbs will have migrated up the world famous Tongariro River alone from Lake Taupo, and we are once again looking forward to a fantastic spring and summer season in all the Taupo tributaries.
Sunday 1st December is opening day on the isolated upper reaches of the Tongariro and Taupo tributaries. This always provides great angling for trout who have not seen a fisherman for six months. A wilderness rafting trip on the upper Tongariro offers spectacular fishing at this time.
Tuesday 1st October the backcountry streams outside of the Taupo rivers and streams open and the wild rainbow and brown trout tend to feed very aggressively early season. It is quite a sight to watch a feeding trout move 10 feet to engulf your fly! By November the days are long and the sun is higher, making spotting and stalking conditions ideal. November to March is the prime time for dry fly fishing, wet wading and casting to sighted fish. Fishing with cicada imitations is considered by both clients and guides to be the ultimate dry fly experience.
Helicopter options can be fantastic at this time and Tongariro Lodge has special access to large areas of private land, that provide anglers with helicopter access to fourteen wilderness rivers. This offers up to 60 km of trophy New Zealand fly fishing for brown and rainbow trout.
Tongariro Lodge offers some of the finest value for money fly fishing in New Zealand, and a wonderful welcoming atmosphere. For more information about the lodge and availability please contact Alex Jardine, alternatively call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.