Day 9 - Lake Ota

I have fond memories of fishing Lake Otamangakau during my last trip to NZ in 1989. It was an afternoon in late December, when I launched a float tube and experienced a tremendous day sight fishing for large trout.

It is a great privilege to return today with friend Greig to fish this wonderful lake once again. Ota sits at the foot of Mount Ruapehu, an active volcano and the lone ski area on the North Island. Five pound plus fish are very common here. Greig and I stripped buggers all day. I loved it. Stripping streamers and buggers is on of my all-time fishing activities. All in all we landed nine trout in the boat including a 6.5 lb rainbow which Greig landed in the morning.