My wife and I departed To Auckland, New Zealand Friday night on May 2nd from LAX. I bought her plan tickets for her birthday Dec. 31st and we had plans to go for 10 days on March 2nd. Due to some problems at work I had to delay the trip for 2 months. So we finaly got out of the rat race and went on our vacation. It was a very long plane flight 12 Hours, but we had the exit row and the airline ( Air NewZealand ) was a comfertable plane, so it wasnt all that bad.
We got to Auckland Sunday Morning at 6 AM. After going through customs and renting a car we were on our way off to the Hyatt for 2 nights. It took me a while to get situated in the car. Over there you drive on the opisite side of the road in the right hand side of the car! It freaked my wife out for a little bit! HAHA! Here I am driving
We got to the Hyatt and passed out for a little while before we went sight seeing and enjoyed the city life for a couple days before we went to Rotorua for 3 nights. The weather was agianst us the whole time. It rained all 8 days we were there! We made the best of it. Here is a picture from the top of the Sky Tower. Its the biggest building in New Zealand. We ate dinner at the top and watched people bungie jump off. Pretty Crazy!
Auckland was cool! Its kinda like a cross between New York and San Fransisco.
The drive was about 3 hours to Rotorua, which is located in the central part of the north island. We had booked 3 nights at the Wildwood Lodge! This place is amazing. It sits right on a lake and we had this beautiful house and beautiful views for 3 days. The owners Simon and Cath were absolutly wonderful. They took care of us with everything. They cooked great food and provided anything my wife and I wanted. Here is a few pics of where we stayed.
The first day we were there we went to Paradise Valley Wild Park and got to see some of the native and other cool animals in New Zealand. Here are a few pics.
The second day I was in Rotorua I finally got to fish! I meet my guide Miles Rushmer in town and he took my wife and I to a beautiful river. We hiked the river and only saw 2 fish and I landed one of them. Then we went to a really tight stream where I saw more fish over 10lbs than I have anywhere else in my life. This stream was loaded!
The first day of fishing was rough. I only landed 4 fish! I lost a hugh brownie. The rest of these pics are from day 2!
The pictures speak for themselves. I picked up over 20 fish and 2 browns were in the 10lb range while one was around 15lbs.....
After Rotorua, we traveled down to Napier in the pouring rain! It rained hard for the next 2 days and my guides I had booked down there canceled on me, Said that the waters were to discolored and flooded to fish! Bummer.
I was happy though with the hogs that I caught and wont ever forget New Zealand Fishing!
Bio: Fly fishing guide in the Mammoth Lakes area and avid saltwater angler
Killer report dude! The markings on those browns are sweet, especially the one with the triangular-like red spots. I'm sure it was a sad day when you guys had to leave there.
Im juicin after looking at those pics. Do you have any suggestions on what to do if my G.F. and I want to go for around 10 days with at least 5 or 6 days of fishing (Ten days not including flight time). Can you give me a rough Idea of costs if I am not getting too personal?? Where to stay. We were thinking of going next Feb. Are there enough new rivers to fish just out of Roturua or whwere else would you suggest. Oh, one more thing, we prefer top water dries to underwater type stuff.
Just love to see the take.
My guide is the one who made it all happen. If anybody wants to ever head out that way you must hit up a guy named Miles Rushmer. He will take you to the giants!
I used my Sage z Axis 6 wieght.
Most fish were caught on egg patterns and streamers
Ass, grass or cash, nobody rides for free! 
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