If TRM reported on every angler or every team that stayed here it would soon become boring and fishos – aka prospective inmates – would soon switch off. So inevitably TRM reports try to cater for all tastes and provide a “selection” of stories to keep readers attention. We appreciate there are many more fishing reports out in cyberspace on social media now since we started reporting about 17 or so years ago. But just occasionally we hear a result from inmates that takes our breath away.
Many times we have some remarkable story of catch rates whatever that we know fishos would love to read but we respect their need for privacy. i.e. If we posted their favourite pool they might not return to TRM! Most of our long term inmates are in this category not wanting any public exposure. We understand that.
We may have hesitated longer than usual in posting this as we were hoping to receive emailed confirmation from the fishos involved, possibly with photos… But as we have not heard back we trust they will not be offended by us mentioning their success.
For the decade up to 2020 most anglers would now agree the fishery struggled to produce good conditioned trout. After DOC (Department of Conservation are the Taupo Fishery Managers) increased the daily limit from three to six and lowered the minimum length from 40 to 35 cm. the results improved. How much of that was due to weather patterns or climate changes, who knows? Then in 2020 there was a definite improvement. TRM’s reports were suggesting the best spawning season in ten years. Then in 2021 it improved even more, the best season for twenty years. But now in 2022 it has blitzed the previous results with so many personal PB’s and such good conditioned trout every day. Am amazing improvement.
Angler guests have also mentioned disappointment that DOC have not communicated adequately to advise what an exceptional season has being experienced on the Tongariro River? The last DOC update on the Waipa trap was in May. We cannot speak for DOC of course but understand they rely on the trap analysis to give their reports more “official” recognition, compared to the exuberant raves from anglers and others on social media. Nevertheless, their May update could hardly have been more enthusiastic and positive… see following:
Waipa Trap Report – May 2022
The fish trap was recommissioned in May following an upgrade over summer, and initial data collection got underway. Flow rates in the Waipa Stream have been ideal and encouraged trout to enter this important spawning tributary for the Tongariro River.
The number and quality of fish recorded this May was exceptional, with figures exceeding everything recorded in May 2021. It appears that trout have begun to migrate early this year with 153 fish recorded compared to only 35 last year. The average weight for rainbows (1.9 kgs) is well above normal and the condition of these fish is excellent.
These figures reinforce what we are hearing from anglers, who say the fishing has been excellent.
This winter is shaping up to be something special, so grab your gear and make the most of this great wild trout fishery.
The only problem is that it is now late in July. Anglers expect more up-to-date info. It is also important to appreciate the trap results are about two months late when they publish. By the time the spawning runs are counted at the Waipa trap, the vast majority have been in the river for about two months. DOC’s own analysis, from when the attached aerials to trout entered the delta many years ago, confirmed the average time to reach the winter limit at the Fence Pool was about one month. The Waipa is almost that much further again allowing for the trout tiring as they make their way up the river. It is also very important for anglers to realise is that the aerial survey indicated they do not just make their way up directly but many checked out all the other likely spawning redds and other tributaries as well – many going up and down the river up to four times before they made it up to the Waipa. So even with the best intentions, the DOC trap results can only be regarded as historic records only.
But we had better get back to what you are patiently waiting to read… On Friday four anglers booked into (Unit 5) as members of a Fishing Club weekend. Other members of the same club stayed elsewhere. This is mentioned as being part of a larger mature group and fishing in pairs their results are often more accurate than one might expect from some “blow-hards”. The numbers were provided by one of their more senior members – a responsible and experienced Tongariro angler who has been a TRM guest many times. Of course we are not suggesting that other TRM anglers might exaggerate their results. They just get so excited…
When they booked out Sunday they had spent the equivalent of about two days fishing – Late Friday afternoon, all day Saturday, and Sunday morning. Over that time the Tongariro was coloured up and about 50% higher – falling from 35 to 30 cumecs (normal flow is 22-25 cumecs). Over that time they landed… (Thank you for your patience)
– roll of drums please –
Somewhere between 170 and 180 trout. That equates to over 20 per day per angler. Yet it was not even the number that they were so impressed about. It was the superb condition of the trout. They guessed the average trout easily exceeded four pounds with the biggest over six pounds.
That confirms again what an absolutely world-class river we have available all year.
We have to also add for overseas readers, these are all wild trout, mainly Rainbows (originally Steelheads from North America released over one hundred years ago) and some Brown Trout (originally imported from Tasmania of English stock)- naturally spawned in the river and grow in Lake Taupo to return up the river on spawning runs.
In addition many trout that broke off – mid river releases etc. – were not counted…
Wow! What a wonderful fishery.
ps Sorry we are already booked out Friday and Saturday. For some weird reason Unit 5 is now booked up for the rest of 2022.