The first of TRM’s inmates’ responses for Tongariro anglers to prepare the report for us…. The number references in his story relate to the questions asked by TRM – i.e. TRM have asked everyone the same line of questions – they are not compulsory – as a guide only:
QUESTIONS:
1 Name, brief background, where do you live. age, etc.?
2 When and where did you start fishing the Tongariro?
3 What was your reason to start and keep returning to the Tongariro?
4 Which is your favourite pool? Why?
5 Your most forgettable and/or unforgettable Tongariro incident?
6 Your best Tongariro achievement?
7 What do you like most about the Tongariro?
8 Which is your favourite fishing style – dry? nymph? streamer?
9 Your favourite Tongariro fly fishing trip?
10 Anything else would you like to add? Please include photos…
……………………………………………………………………………
Ian’s response:
1 Ian Muntz retired ex fireie from Melbourne victoria aged 65 ,
fishing mates peter( Captain Snooze) Morrison and Geoff (take me to lake O ) George.
2 Started fishing the tongariro and surrounds around 2000,after getting sick of the abysmal fishing in our home state Vic and NSW.
3.We fell in love with the place from day 1 we had been coming over for several years and staying in different batches around the town,the green house ,one close by which we nearly burnt down .kutai lodge
We were staying at kutai lodge when one day we had ventured down to the judges pool at that stage one of our favourite pools.when we came across a big ugly boxer trying to devour a rotten possum being a bit concerned of his welfare we dragged him off when his owner a distinguished gent popped his head over the levee bank and claimed his dog as history now shows the dog was none other than Boof and his owner Ross After some conversation and the obligatory photo ross asked where we were staying and would we be interested in checking out his fine establishment TRM of course we said we were up for anything. We have been there ever since sometimes two and three times a year.
The reason we keep coming back to TRM is probably the hosts Ross and Pip( hint maybe time for a lowering of the accommodation fees) they can never do enough to help and make a fortnight stay pass with lightning speed .
4 Favourite pool is the big hole over the hill (lake O). The pools have all changed from when we first started coming that is hard to pick which is our favourite I will say anything from the fence pool to the bottom of graces road Also the TT holds a special place in our hearts.
5 Probably the most unforgettable TRM moment was the night we gave Kiki a send off (See photos at top).
6 There have been good and bad trips fishing wise but that’s what keeps bringing us back time after time Ross always has 1 or 2 in the freezer so we have never gone home empty handed
7 We mainly fish nymph, don’t get much of a chance to use dry’s – normally we fish the spawn in the colder months
8 The favourite trip has been all of them
9 I’m sure Ross will have 1 or 2 photo which he will include
10 One of my biggest personal regrets is missing out on a couple of trips one especially sticks in my craw was when the boys featured in a photo presentation (from May 2011 – repeated above on right and below) on lake O which is still shown today (a bit dated I think Ross) – the cheeky buggers took their own photographer.
11 All jokes aside we have met and fished with some great characters (didn’t forget you Stu) through spending the last 7 to 8 years at TRM.
Being animal lovers we have over the years adopted , as I am sure most inmates have – Boof – God rest his soul a beautiful friend – and Pumpkin – can be a bitch at times and even next door’s cat puddy made no 4 her home for 2 weeks last time we visited – cost us a fortune in milk and cat food. We were never able to entice Kiki – maybe she was too smart.
All in all a great place one of which I am sure we will spend many more trips at, if Ross and Pip will have us
