Images from TRM Facebook indicate the much improved condition of trout on the 2017 spawning runs on the Tongariro River.
Over the last week or so there have been a steady procession of anglers giving their impressions of the new Taupo Fishery regulations. Any changes always produces lots of opinions – both for and against. This has to be a healthy sign of stakeholders showing real interest in the changes. TRM Facebook has interesting comments from anglers on both sides of the argument repeated below.
Most of the comment is confined to the daily bag limit being increased from 3 to 6, and the reduction in minimum length from 40 cm to 35 cm. Most are more than happy with the daily bag limit doubled, but bewildered why the size was reduced to 35 cm when they have not landed any trout under 40cm. We repeat the most common issues for you to judge whether they are being fair or just the usual complaints from disgruntled fishos as we have never heard so much admiration for the prime condition of the trout as in the past few months.
They are almost unanimous that it is time Fish & Game took over the fishery management away from DoC (Department of Conservation). DoC still claim their link with Tuwharetoa makes that impossible but others suggest that 1927 agreement – when Maori received half the licence fees – but anglers claim that was made obsolete by the more recent amendment whereby Maori interests now get paid directly from the consolidated fund, so the original link is no longer relevant. It appears to be more a matter of legal interpretation which anglers love to argue… DoC’s own consultants report recommended that one fishing licence should be applicable throughout NZ.
Also anglers are unhappy that the changes have taken too long from recommendation to implementation. i.e. These recommendations were first publicly distributed in the 2013 Fishery Review prepared by DoC’s own consultants. That means there survey was most likely done in 2012. That indicates about five years ago and that is far too long to get Ministerial approval and to publish changes. The state of the Taupo fishery now – as reflected by trout condition – is very different to 2102.
The usual requests for Target Taupo (DoC previously published this as their newsletter to their licence holders) and river maps continue to be ignored. Anglers constantly remind us that all Fish & Game managed trout rivers throughout the rest of NZ have excellent informative maps to illustrate anglers access tracks etc. Anglers argue that Taupo region has the most popular trout fishing rivers in NZ providing the most income from additional licence sales but is the only region where anglers cannot get a map of the most popular rivers. That is their biggest gripe.
(TRM are currently printing an update of our own local map – The Tongariro Bucket List – for the Tongariro River but the other rivers – Tauranga Taupo, Hinemaiaia, Waitahanaui, etc. have none.) Anglers suggest it should be part of their licence.
Some of the comments from TRM facebook last Sunday are:
TRM Daily report today is on “Wading Tips”. But first we need to repeat how good the Tongariro is fishing is at the moment.
In the last week we have had so many regulars and ‘old timers’ calling in to confirm it is the best fishing they have experienced on the Tongariro in the last 12 or so years. The condition of the fresh run “silver bullets” is extraordinary. Too many stories of broken rods (mine included) and big trout escaping to repeat. Wonderful…
Now it looks like we are in for a week of dirty weather, for the start of the school holidays, which will only add to the spawning runs. You really should get here asap. There were 18 anglers in the combat casting clinic at the Bridge Pool this morning. All were hooking up. Just wonderful conditions…
Anglers’ Facebook responses include…