The Tongariro Trout Centre is a special place for everyone in Turangi – quite unique and much loved. So their newsletter will be of interest to many more than just the Tongariro anglers.
What’s Happening to the Trout Centre
Newsletter May 2017
As many of you are aware, part of the Trout Centre area has been the subject of a land claim against the Crown by Ngati Tuwharetoa. This has led to some uninformed speculation and rumour. It has also caused uncertainty among some of our members and supporters who were concerned about the long term viability of the Society.
We are pleased to learn that an agreement has been reached between the two parties and that this
agreement guarantees the continued existence of the Society and its activities. Under the terms of the agreement the entire trout centre area will become a recreational reserve under ‘The Reserves Act’. A trust will be established and a trust board consisting of two members each from Tuwharetoa, Department of Conservation and the TNTC Society, will oversee the site’s long term development.
As far as the Society is concerned there will be little discernable change to our business. We will continue to own the building and its contents, and will continue to hold public fish-outs, run a school programme and carry on the activities that we now do. We will have a new landlord (Tuwharetoa) with whom we will have a lease. This lease is still being discussed but it will be valid until the year 2028 with a right of renewal and have an annual rent of $1.00 + GST per year.
Both DOC and Iwi are strongly supportive of the Society and are committed to the Society’s goals and
aspirations. Indeed, with the new management structure we can see numerous projects and activities not possible under the present arrangement.
We will keep you posted as the situation develops.
Peter Baldwin
The fishing season on the Hinemaiaia hasn’t opened and a fisherman who doesn’t have a license, is casting for trout as a stranger approaches and asks “Any luck?” “Any luck? This is a wonderful spot. I took 10 out of this stream yesterday” he boasts. “Is that so? By the way, do you know who I am?” asks the stranger. “Nope.” “Well, meet the new DOC ranger.” “Oh,” gulped the fisherman. “Well, do you know who I am?” “Nope”. “Meet the biggest liar in Taupo.”
Mother to daughter advice: Cook a man a fish and you feed him for a day. But teach a man to fish and you get rid of him for the whole weekend.
REPORT FOR 2016 SCHOOL FISHING
Last year was a busy time for the team that look after the school fishing. 16 days fishing and around 450 fish caught. Quite a feat as often time was of the essence to fit in with the schools’ timetables. Some weeks we were there 3 days in a row!. The schools were from all over, from One Tree Point (not far from Marsden Point) and south to Fielding. We also had some special needs kids and sight impaired kids, always a challenge! A special thanks to the kiosk girls for their efforts with paper work and the lunches provided and, of course, the anglers!
SPECIAL MOMENT: Scout leader falling into pond!! (Do as I say, not as I do?)
PUBLIC FISHOUTS
We had 7 public fishout days last year. Total number of fish caught, around 1070. A lot of these fish were filleted and smoked, thanks to Arthur the Master Filleter, and his trainees who are getting better at it!
Running the smoker is not the best of jobs but someone always steps up to do it. Always the last to finish but the beer tastes better.
Our old smoker has been retired after many years of service. We now have a flash stainless steel smoker thanks to Graham Whyman at Sporting Life. Graham also provides us with flies, lines and fly tying supplies and most other fishing and fish smoking gear that we require. Thanks Graham.
The kitchen crew are a major part of the team keeping us all fed and watered and all with a smile too!!
We really need some new younger volunteers, as when I look around on our fishing days there is not many of us under 60 and a lot way past that! So, if you know of some younger people with a bit of time on their hands, invite them along.
PRIVATE AND ADHOC FISHING
For those of you who didn’t know, some of the volunteers also do private fishing when a decent fee is charged for fishing. Usually just a few kids for a special event.
Adhoc fishing is usually done during school holidays when 2 or 3 volunteers take kids fishing for the normal charge, usually for a couple of hours. There are no bookings.
Jim Baggott, Organizer