Wonderful – another $76 Million allocated to DoC to develop new trails, build better infastructure (aka Loos) etc. At last the crowding and parking issues on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing will be a top priority. It goes without saying that the most obvious new trail for DoC will be the long awaited Taupo to Turangi bike trail around the edge of Lake taupo – a no-brainer. It would immediately become the most popular tourist biking and walking trail in NZ.
But we have one small favour to ask Maggie Barry (Conservation Minister) if she would be so kind. Could we take the opportunity to include in the spending budget some guide maps for Taupo rivers. These are not only essential for tourist anglers but all these trails are just as popular for walkers and bikers.
We – TRM – have been asked this question so many times lately but last week we were challenged to take it further (by Australian tourists who visit us regularly for the last ten years) – i.e. to post it and expose it on TRM’s Daily Report…. We try to post as much good friendly encouraging news but sometimes these little requests get repeated so often we are obliged to do what the customer wants… OK?
The question from most tourist anglers from overseas and similarly local visiting anglers is:
“Where are maps for the Taupo rivers?”
That is a very fair question. Most of these anglers have already been trout fishing in other regions managed by Fish & Game. Everywhere they go the local trout fishing rivers have excellent informative F&G brochures explaining everything they need to know – maps of the river, access points, local regulations, types of fishing methods, where to fish, what to use, common sense rules of access, local history, scenic look-out spots, bike trails, all sorts of interesting stuff.
One local F&G map even provides outline maps of adjoining farms with their names and phone numbers to arrange access. How good is that. Indeed, when the map for the Mohaka was produced I can remember some very annoyed anglers as the F&G map identified all their best ‘secret’ spots.
They are so popular that TRM have suffered thefts! TRM have most of the F&G maps on display in the reception. When some disgruntled fishos discover all their favourite river secrets have been revealed in the F&G brochure – such as for popular rivers like the Ruakituri – they pinch all the maps for that river in false expectation that others cannot share and enjoy the same information. But don’t worry – SWMBO only ever displays some of our maps. She is so cunning…
We hope you notice the tricky layout of F&G trout fishing maps on right in the shape of the North Island. No? We did try…
So back to the question on the Taupo rivers or the Tongariro River. DoC (Department of Conservation) manage the Taupo fishery. But despite all the resources in a Government Department they have not produced even basic access maps of such famous rivers such as the Waitahanui, Hinemaiaia, Tauranga-Taupo, and smaller rivers such as Waiotaka, and other tributaries into Lake Taupo?
Most important of all is a decent map of the Tongariro River? In the absence of anything from DoC the Advocates for the Tongariro River had to produce their own map about 7 years ago – “Fifty Pools to Fish Before You Die” – The Tongariro Bucket List. (see top right) So a map for that river is OK.
DoC did produce a Tongariro map after that in 2013 but we are advised it is no longer available. Like the Bucket List map, it is out of date anyway. The Tongariro is always changing. Pools such as De Latours have gone as the river broke through below the Bends Pool about the same time as the map was printed.
As previously explained the Bucket List map – see below – is currently being revised with the valuable support from local sponsors including Sporting Life, Rafting NZ, Turangi Tavern, Fishing & Outdoors newspaper & TRM. It is only awaiting DoC to confirm the new Taupo Fishery Regulations, which we understand have to be signed off by the Minister before we can use them. We have been waiting since last year… (If it takes much longer we will just have to print it without the regulations – like DOC’s map previously?)
Anglers waiting for the new maps have also complained how ridiculous it is for such alterations to Taupo Fishing Regulations to need this level of Ministerial Approval… Bureaucracy gone mad?
TRM Anglers repeat – how is it that all these other Fish & Game regions can manage to produce such good information on all their rivers and streams, whilst in the most popular fishing region – Taupo Fishery – DOC cannot manage even the simplest maps? Why?
We have to agree with our customers – it really is inexcusable!
So whilst a Tongariro River map has already been completed – thanks to the kind sponsors above – the other important world famous trout fishing rivers needs maps too – in particular the Waitahanui, Hinemaiaia, and Tauranga-Taupo Rivers. These are all famous rivers in their own right and very popular tourist destinations which deserve their own maps. But now is the ideal time to allocate a teeny $$$ amount of your $76 M budget to fix the problem. Thank you DoC.