TRM has just had Harvey Clark back again fishing the Tongariro. He has been missing on the Tongariro River over the last year, recovering from some health issues. As he suggested I had been escaping from laundry duties to try to be an author, he deserves a response.

I have suggested to Harvey he should think seriously about composing a fishy book at some future stage if/when physical difficulties limit the fishing opportunities, or for when arthritic fingers refuse to tie knots or flies.

But do not be influenced by old fishos physical limitations. We have seen so many “more mature” inmates struggling to overcome their elderly handicaps by just getting more devious and cunning by adjusting to the conditions. Last week a small earthquake was reported in Hawkes Bay. That always seems to affect the fishing as the trout get spooked and ignore any offerings. Several other regular inmates returned to TRM early, all complaining about how difficult it was and how reluctant the trout were, etc.

All except Harvey. I think he caught nine and landed seven – or that is what he admitted to – including a beautiful five pound Brown trout that was spotted cruising in the shallows behind where other anglers usually stand. That takes special skill on an off-day for all the others.

Harvey is a trout fishing instructor known as “The Trout Man” based at Rotorua, so he has forgotten more fishy stories than most fishos. He was previously a journalist for Southland Times and Auckland Star and well known after preparing the NZ Herald fishing report for about twenty years. His journalist experience would be invaluable as he has practical experience of all the reservations from novices wanting to learn fly fishing skills. But just as important, he already has a huge following of trout fishing novices on social media keen to buy his book. TRM have already ordered 12 copies – one for every unit. There are many technical trout fishing books available but very few composed by journalists and aimed at instructing newbies.

By far the most popular instructive book borrowed from TRM’s fishing library is “the Trout Stream Papers” an excellent introduction to explain all the theory and mystique – published many years ago by Tony Orman (another x-journalist from the old Tourist & Publicity Department) and illustrated so well by Daryl Crimp. We know how much it is appreciated as it must be up to our tenth copy by now – they keep going missing!

To make sure of your copy of Harvey’s new book – you need to pre-order his new trout fishing instructional encyclopedia direct from the Trout Man to encourage him… harvtroutman@hotmail.com