When SWMBO retired (?) here in 2004 in a motel focusing on trout fishing, we noticed when guests arrived their first priority and urgent questions related to fishing – “which pool”, “which fly” etc. All the prospective inmates needed was an urgent update of any river changes and where the last big trout was caught and they were happy as. We could manage that. They were easy to please.

After a long drive to get here they like to sit down and discuss their little problems, get it off their chest so to speak. We encouraged it too as they kept us up to date with current issues that we might not have realised – i.e. traffic congestion causing delays increasing the time taken to get here…

These problems are often not reported adequately or considered important as they do not exist in small towns. In our cute little village we can easily slip behind in ignorance of the latest big-city issues like drive-by shootings or ram raids. We feel so left out of it.

Then, after about ten years, a noticeable shift in their heartfelt concerns became evident.

Nearly all the fishos were ageing fast. Physically they were fading. Panic set in. The worse their medical condition, the more they wanted to fish. Even their sanity was at risk. It was no longer a young man’s sport. Most were retired or looking at trout fishing for their retirement. Their hopes and dreams of landing a trophy trout were all that was keeping them young at heart, if not in body.

Then their first comments changed the topic completely as they confessed their latest medical report – new knees, new pacemaker, replacement parts all over, etc. Their most important concerns had changed with ageing. As we were of a similar ancient vintage (I am up to my fourth replacement ankle) we understood their concerns. They had to adjust their fishing style and control their previous wading habits to match their physical limitations. Even their casting technique was altered to make the rod do the work, instead of straining their arm and shoulder and back… But then their priorities altered again.

Now, in the last two or three years, another major alarming shift became apparent. More recently they don’t bother to ask about the river pools or which flies or dare to mention any medical issues or they have to endure more stories about new ankles. A much bigger problem arose. Their initial outburst of frustration developed into a much more aggressive stance. Alarm set in. (As I now also have hearing problems and cannot hear half of what they say, we often have the most interesting conversations.)

Perhaps because they had more time in retirement to think about everything, their worries and deep anguish had moved into the political arena! To add to their urgency, fears of covid made them more stressed than ever. Tongariro anglers always have to have a most optimistic outlook but lately they arrived depressed and full of gloomy predictions. They were so desperate they asked me what on earth is happening to NZ. Wherever they turn, they discover a messy disaster! It smells of corruption. Or a conspiracy. How did we let it happen? They anxiously demanded to TRM, asking “what can we do about it?”, as though it was our fault. They have had enough.

SWMBO had to find an answer quickly, as having happy inmates is soooo important for us to enjoy our lifestyle – before we are forced to retire. (SWMBO is still far too young.)

To our shame, they have also learnt that Turangi is one of the first to embrace the challenging new co-governance structure. They interrogate us, what did we do about losing our fundamental democratic rights? They claim democracy is now dead in Turangi. How can it work? Will Turangi survive?

Somehow SWMBO is supposed to have sensible logical solutions for these frustrated inmates. We have a deliberate policy to respond as little as possible, to avoid joining them in their despair as it is so easy to fuel their anger. So, using the advantage of a long apprenticeship experimenting and sympathising with their ever-changing deepest concerns, at last TRM have the answer with a basic simple recipe to overcome their fears and respond responsibly to their demands, to reduce their stress levels and help them to relax and laugh again.

GO FISHING!

OK? That is all we can offer. If anyone has any better solution then we would love to hear about it. It might seem pathetic or too simple but we know it works. After a few days of wading or patrolling the Tongariro Pools, losing monster trout and landing the odd trophy fish, the happy inmates relax and forget all about the issues that were keeping them awake at night. We enjoy seeing all the stress and mental pressures just float away down the river. The twinkle in their eye returns and despite carrying a couple of heavy prime trout, the bounce in their step is back.

Then they dread returning to where they know the problems will resurface with a vengeance.

So they return more often and stay fishing longer.

Here endeth the lesson.