A fishy inmate delivered a justifiable wind-up when he discovered I have been earnestly dispensing fishing advice but in the last year I have not been fishing even once! His criticism is fair enough too, so I should explain…

Over the last few years, an awful thing has happened. I have discovered I have become old. I know it is just a number but I did not fully appreciate all the other nasty restricting issues that accompany it.

I feel like a hypochondriac trying to justify why? My medical list of excuses starts with my hearing which has mainly gone but I did not realise it would affect my balance so much. I am now up to my fourth replacement ankle – blame the slippery Tongariro boulders – so I cannot wade the stoney river. Then my arthritic fingers – old rugby injuries – mean I cannot grip the rod and prevents normal casting. etc…

You understand this was inevitable “karma” (or the curse of SWMBO?) as Turangi is experiencing the best fishing on the Tongariro and other Taupo rivers ever since we arrived here in 2004.

But another more important reason is that SWMBO is also rumoured to be getting older and these days it is prudent for me to be around the motel much more. For the first 15 or so years, I was not even missed from the laundry, usually missing fishing several times a week. So I have given it a reasonable try, but now do not like to leave Her in sole charge.

TRM’s management revised security strategy is that the recent new senior staff member (Director of Security) named Juno, will discourage any feral kids from picking on TRM (In addition for the last few months a regular community police patrol drives through the motel). We trust you will understand, that regardless of where we live, we all now have to endure more difficult less secure conditions. Juno is a “Huntaway” retired farm dog, extremely quick and strong who will effectively deal with any unwanted intruders.

Previously we had a couple of wonderful dogs, Boof & Pumpkin (photos below in 2012) to bolster security.

Now they have been replaced with Juno, which means I have to take her “walkies” up and down the river trails every day as part of my “keep fit” therapy. She has more stamina than me even when I race her on a bike. From these daily trips we keep up to date with any flow changes and angler patterns in the river pools and expect I can still qualify to help new novice fishos. From inmates feedback and success rates, we soon learn where the best pools are.

We should also mention that Juno is suitable for inmates wanting to take a dog “walkies” along the river tracks. The photo below was taken last May when a guest was delighted to replace me for the daily fix. I suspect Juno took her walkies.

So that is my new excuse – just thought you should know…