At the time of typing this, TRM have eight fishos from West Island for nine days, one from USA for one week, one from Europe for five weeks, and three from NZ booked for a few days.
The Aussies invasion outnumber the rest together but TRM are not complaining.
Images are from their Tongariro fishing guide Richard (Email: twomountainstroutguide@gmail.com Ph. 021 081 89705) who tuned them up again (he knows them from last year) to adapt to local conditions. i.e. It takes them about three days to relax and stop looking for snakes.
That pattern of West Islanders intimidation and domination of Tongariro trout continued all October as well. Long may it continue. Wonderful stuff!
TRM cannot be more pleased as they are excellent inmates with a delightful dry Aussie sense of humour (just don’t mention the rugby or cricket).
They are all keen fishos who enjoy everything the Tongariro and Turangi has on offer.
A major reason we enjoy their visits is they constantly remind us what a precious resource we have here.
They tell us there is nothing like the Tongariro River trout fishing in Australia, although SWMBO suggested that might be because it is located here closer to TRM?
In 2017 we provided lots of variety to make it more memorable for fishy tourists.
We threw in an earthquake as well as heaps of rain plus a minor flood to colour up the river – 2017 images on left below – to make it more challenging. They relished those elements.
Apparently then TRM posted their images suggesting they were from a different Australian fly fishing club? SWMBO apologises – obviously a management glitch?
For 2018 we mixed it up more by providing low river flow with clear conditions so they could “sight fish” to spooky trout that would not cooperate or look at anything offered – they were too busy looking at each other.
Then to make it more interesting, factor in the worst crappy casting conditions from the unrelenting horrible “wind” gusts sent over on the prevailing winds from Melbourne..
They wondered if these difficult weather conditions – all provided at no extra cost – were planned to keep them away from our trophy trout and Lake O rafting trips.
A very helpful characteristic with these considerate guests is that manager SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed is still managing everything in sight) can even remember their names as they are all called “mate”.
They tell us that an ‘affordable’ wild trout fishery with such easy access and fishing for ‘huge’ wild trout available all year round is very hard to find any where else in the world.
There is nowhere else they would find a SWMBO either.
Their only genuine complaint was being delayed at Auckland Airport for over 2 hours while their fishing gear was being thoroughly checked (for snakes?).
Other Australian tourist anglers have also bitterly complained about the unnecessary long delays and the officious attitude at Auckland airport with this issue so we might not have heard the end of this…
Compared to Kiwis who take it for granted, they really appreciate the Tongariro River environment and all the other smaller tributaries to provide some alternative options and test their casting skills on windy days.
This team of “mates” in the photos above on right are back on their annual pilgrimage organised by Russ Johnson from the Mornington Peninsula Fly Fishing Club near Melbourne.
Below is a brief video of what they thought of the fishing opportunities offered here in 2017. After all the windy days that restricted their plans this year we daren’t ask them again.