Geoff Thomas has written several best selling fishing books and one of these is “Trout Secrets” so who better to teach Marc the time honoured craft of fly fishing. Marc is to meet Geoff on Lake Tarawera a short drive from the steaming geysers and bubbling mud pools of Rotorua and home to abundant trophy size Rainbow Trout. New Zealand’s North Island is famous for its trout fishing lakes and that may have something to do with the mineral rich waters that feed these waterways. In fact Rainbow Trout were originally imported from California in the 1890s and the NZ side of the family has evolved so spectacularly they are now being exported back to the USA to improve their breeding stocks. Marc and Geoff are staying at a house on the lake owned by Geoff’s great mate, John Donald known as “JD”. The home is more like a hunting lodge full of sporting memorabilia. On the banks of picturesque Lake Tarawera Geoff proceeds to conduct a master class on casting. After a few early tangles Marc starts to gets the basic idea and Geoff reckons they are ready to chase a fish. The weather is poor, in fact it is soon pouring with rain. Marc quickly establishes that it’s important to have a good time as well as catch fish with Geoff. Mark and Geoff chat about the qualities of trout fishing and the serenity of mountain lakes and break into song. As they persevere the rain tumbles down and still they catch no fish. Although drenched they depart for JD’s lodge with high spirits. As the sun sets the three of them sit back with a relaxing drink and talk about what brought them to this place and the history of Geoff and JD’s friendship - even Jacko the dog listens with an attentive ear. Early the next morning and Geoff is down on the shores of the lake honing his casting as the dawn reveals the tranquil beauty of the lake in the shadow of Mount Tarawera, a now dormant volcano. Once they reach the location of the morning’s fish, no time is wasted in