Hunting for Kahawai

With the car all packed and ready to go, we set off fishing on another little adventure! But we didn't really realise how much of an adventure it was really going to be! Arriving at Cornwallis, we got out in high hopes, and after trekking for 10 minutes in the heat, we arrived at the monument. After stopping shortly due to picture taking, we decided to try and pass through the jungle like terrain to get to the ocean...which didn't quite work! With the heat and energy being lost...tempers started to show, and we decided to head back to try and find a different spot.

We eventually managed to find an area called Whatipu we climbed up onto a hill near the smallest bay, to try and see some fish, instantly we saw fish around 4-5lbs called Kahawai...which can be mistaken for Mullet. After spotting them Alex decided it was time to crack on with the fishing and in an instant was fishing away! I got the camera ready, whilst Lewis decided to tackle the bay from a different angle, he ended up seeing what we think was a big King fish, around the 60lb mark!!! However with no luck after about 15 minutes, we decided it was time to change tactics. We used burley to attract the smaller fish, which would hopefully attract the bigger fish in the long run. In the end we didn't manage to catch any decent sized fish...but Alex managed to catch some Gar fish...fouled hooked! He also lost a Kahawai which was unfortunate, but it kept us going until 6.30, and then it was time for home!!

Hopefully heading off tomorrow morning for the start of our big journey! So will keep you posted throughout!

THE BEGINNING

Now a week since we left the UK for New Zealand and with it came our first outing on a New Zealand river, the Waihou River just south of the town of Tirau. As seems to be the case with this trip we once again suffered errors but today it was only the fact that between the 3 of us none of us managed to take a camera!!!

We were taken to the river by Neil, he is an international representative of the New Zealand fly fishing team and is in this years commonwealth team. The river, which was decieving in both depth and flow was just full of small wild rainbow trout around half a pound, all 3 of us had at least 50fish each, Lewis landing the biggest of around 1.5lb. No monsters on our first outing but a good start!

Another great thing that happened today was that we got a car for $1100, $900 under our limit which is great!! (pics will be up tommorrow).

that is all for now!!

First taste of New Zealand fishing!

During the day we went for a real good trek...in the heat of the day someone was bound to get sun burnt! With no o-zone layer, hardly and pollution...and no sun cream on! Lewis ended up looking like a lobster...the back of my legs are pretty bad, but amazingly Lisa was the only one who didn't get burnt! With no fish caught we ended up trekking back home! With the golf course right by, we never realised that so many would end up in the sea! As the tide went out and walking along the beach, we found around 50 golf balls...in Lewis's eyes it was money making time, so we didn't leave a single one!

Once finally arriving in New Zealand and settling in...we managed to get out fishing!! Lisa and Lewis went out with Dan on Thursday evening, after the Red Snapper! Something finally went right on the trip and Dan put us on the fish instantly! We just didn't look back, and the bites and the fish just carried on coming! Fish and chips for tea!! How much more at home could we feel!!

After a good nights sleep in the tent with Oliver...Dan's son, I finally got a shot at going after the Red Snapper! Success again!! Smiles all around!! It was definitely worth it after waking up at 6.00am!

FINALLY THERE

We have now reached New Zealand and have spent a day here, we arrived on a mild over cast day at around 21degrees with the odd shower, at the moment its 7.30am and the sun is shining so need some sun block due to the sun intensity as there is no pollution and no ozone layer!!!!

We had an interesting day yesterday as pretty much none of our bags turned up so we had to go shopping for replacement clothes. When we went for lunch in a local sports bar type venue Lewis was called gay by the barman for being the only person without an alcoholic drink haha!!

pictures soon

..............WAITING...............

CURRENTLY STUCK IN HONG KONG DUE TO OUR BRITISH AIRWAYS FLIGHT BEING DELAYED CAUSING US TO MISS OUR NEXT 2 BOOKED FLIGHTS!! ARGHH!!
LEWIS FORTUNATELY FOR HIMSELF HAS MANAGED TO ALMOST BE IN NEW ZEALAND PROBABLY IN DESCENT AS I TYPE THIS, AND HE WILL BE PICKED UP BY OUR AUCKLAND CONTACT WHILE WE STRUGGLE TO GET FLIGHT TO ARRIVE EVEN 24HOURS AFTER HIS!!
WILL UPDATE YOU ALL SOON

ALEX & LISA

STROKE OF LUCK

With nearly no time at all before we go we have hit a stroke in luck as we have been able to contact an old friend Dan Regan in Auckland who has offered to help us out hugely for our first week.

This has helped our plans no end as we can now meet the right people, find a decent car and learn to settle into the New Zealand way of life!!

This our initial plan for our first leg of New Zealand which is travelling down the North Island following the dark blue line, the light blue line is our journey back. we will also be planning our second leg of the journey in the South Island shortly.

Alex, Lewis and Lisa explore New Zealand

Now with less than 20 days to go before Alex Jardine, Lewis Hendrie and Lisa Isles jet off to a summer down under for the first time, plans are forming and ideas are being altered but the main point, the fishing, is so enticing.

This blog will be our way of staying in touch with you back here in wintery/unstable weathery britain and anyone else who shares an interest in our trip.

Our first plan is to fly to Auckland on the 20th of january, from then on our options are still open as to how we are going to reach the south island. but to find out what choices we make and where we end up stay tuned!