A true fishy story for the weekend read:

The Wednesday TRM blog suggested some alternative trails to follow – alternatives to the wonderful Tongariro River Trail – just for a change to avoid the crowds etc. and suggested the following:

1 Kamahi Pool loop (About 90 – 100 minutes or 10,270 steps measured by the iPhone or 6.27 km from TRM according to the Apple watch – see how we are controlled by AI)

“Warning – this is the only walk with 24 steps… From TRM via Te Aho Street and along the TRT, cross over the Koura Street swing bridge and head upriver over the Mangamawhitwhiti Stream bridge, past the Redwoods to where the TRT adjoins the farmland. Just after the trail climbs to a higher terrace beside the farm, look out for the gap on the right with 24 steps down to the fern glade on the lower terrace. (This adds to the pleasure for some elderly walkers as it is too steep and too many steps for bikers to run them over) This trail is worthwhile for the original native ferns, mature Manuka and bush scenery and noisy bird life alone. This is arguably the ‘prettiest’ scenic walk on the terrace above the Tongariro River. It leads upriver past the anglers’ access – see rope into “The Boulevard” pool to the Kamahi Pool. We last walked it on 2 September without seeing another person. Then return back up to the TRT and back.“

TRM inmates are so perceptive. They have since asked if this is where the Swedish couple fished back in 2007. Their story below is copied from the literary masterpiece “TONGARIRO Skulduggery”. The location to cast from along the TRB of the “Never Fail Pool” is correct but the river flow has changed.

(Photo above of Helena & Jerry departing after twelve days fishing success on the Tongariro.)

From TONGARIRO Skulduggery:

During happy hour recently, another inmate asked who were our most memorable anglers at TRM?  What a tricky question…  There are soooo many wonderful memories but – after checking with SWMBO – one couple in particular stands out as they were so remarkable and unexpected.  (At the time She promised we would not reveal their technique to anyone, but now, seventeen years later, She should get away with it.)
Jerry & Helena arrived in Turangi in July 2007 after traveling on the cheap by tourist bus and – as illustrated in their image – resembled a couple of young disorganised struggling back-packing tourists.  Despite their misleading appearance, with Helena’s winning smile and the trout rod poking out of Jerry’s pack, they convinced TRM that they knew exactly what they were after.  They wanted to negotiate a sweetheart ‘deal’.
First they wanted to book two nights accommodation at a reduced weekly room rate to give them enough time to complete their reconnaissance and explore up and down the Tongariro.  Their “deal” offered, that if they found the sort of fishing spot they were looking for then they would stay another two days to test it and if it was anywhere near as good as TRM had claimed in the Daily Reports, then they would stay another week or two.  Also they needed to borrow chest waders – it did not matter if they leaked as they did not intend to wade, but to keep warm. Back then the fishing was hard and we had to rave a bit more… Of course, TRM was always spouting on positively about the Tongariro fishing so we were trapped by our own promotion and had to gamble on their likely success.

So they easily negotiated (screwed?) a two-week generous discounted (no servicing!) room rate ‘deal’ out of SWMBO.  Their confidence was quite remarkable for a young couple.  They did not need guiding as they knew what they were looking for.  In addition, the deal was also to teach the warden who was a little curious about their unorthodox approach.
Then it was noticed that Jerry’s rod had the tip broken off.  TRM offered a replacement loan (perhaps in case he broke another) but he was not concerned and advised he did not need to cast any distances.  That only increased the mystery about their selected spot and methods.
On the first day, they went downriver and checked out the lower river and town pools as well but could not find a suitable position. They reported plenty of fish sightings but their specification was for something different. The warden was intrigued even more.
On the second day, they investigated the middle river and beyond – up above Hydro Pool – and reported one likely-looking run, which they thought showed promise.  So they stayed on… The warden was even more perplexed as he thought he knew that stretch of river and could not imagine fishing there.
On the third day, they tested it and enjoyed fresh trout for dinner that night.  They were excited at their discovery and were convinced it showed great promise. This was at a time when other TRM fishos were struggling to achieve any touches, let alone limit bags.
So they confirmed they would stay for another week.  Each day they left TRM at a most civilised hour (when most other anglers were returning to thaw out) – about 10-11am – and casually returned a few hours later from their stroll upriver and repeatedly landed double figures.  How frustrating! At that stage other inmates were also curious. The most information anyone could squeeze out of them was that Helena acted as the ‘spotter’ and that was the only reason why he was so successful.  They loved eating Taupo trout but eventually grew tired of cooking and smoking trout ten different ways.
So, acting responsibly on your behalf, the warden was determined to find out where.  And how?  Eventually, SWMBO reluctantly granted him leave from laundry duties to attempt to follow them.  Fortunately, TRM had sneaked the in-house spy into their camp.  Each day Boof, the motel dog, went with them so they hoped he would eventually crack and lead to where.

The warden had worked out roughly where they might be but could not see them even when on patrol from the opposite side.  After walking and wading up beyond his plimsoll line, he still could not spot them.  Then he discovered the giveaway – definite paw print evidence up the sandy bank into the bush heading down river, so he knew he was on their track.  Soon after he ended up crawling on hands and knees where it was impossible to stand up or peer ahead through the tight undergrowth. 
Just as he was about to give up – surprise – he received a big sloppy lick on the nose.  Boof had heard and found the intruder.  They were so well disguised in their ‘possie’ that anyone could have passed them.

Helena had chosen a delightful elevated sheltered sunny spot on the bank where she could relax and read and occasionally peer down into the riffles at the tail of a run – where the bubble line ran directly under her, tight against the bank.
Jerry was kneeling precariously on a narrow ledge, perched just above the river about 3-4 metres upriver from Helena.  His outline so close to the flow was even disguised by bushes he had planted.  His patience was rewarded.  The warden was impressed as he had never seen anyone fishing that spot before or after.

Helena relaxed and watched trout on their spawning run gliding ever so slowly up the current close to the bank and issued progress reports.  She was reading for most of the time.  From her elevated position, she could spot the trout.  He couldn’t.  On her instruction, as soon as the trout were just about a rod length ahead of him within ‘casting’ distance, he simply flicked his fly onto their nose and hooked up every time.  It looked so easy. 
The warden had never seen trout fishing look so simple. It was enlightening how slowly and cautiously the trout eased up the current. Helena was enjoying her studies each day in completely private idyllic surroundings while waiting for the next trout to swim past.  After a few days she was even feeding native birds – tuis and wax eyes.

On their last night, they were invited in for dinner as the warden was anxiously hoping to learn more.  SWMBO is sneaky like that so you have been warned.  It took a few beers for them to loosen up.  It was a shrewd investment as the warden was astonished at more surprising revelations. Both their families owned tourist trout fishing lodges in Swedish fjords so they were experienced at using the same technique before.  They had been touring around the world for over a year via several top trout fishing resort locations. 

Helena was completing her University tourist degree by researching different strategies in each country for attracting tourist anglers.  Her parents would have loved her for that. 
They had been everywhere to all of the best trout rivers in the South Island but they spotted and caught more in that one Tongariro River run than the entire South Island. After experiencing the excellent quality of our Tongariro River trout fishing she was astonished that the NZ Government, the fishery managers (DOC), and Taupo Council had not featured any trout fishing promotion in the prior ten years! The Taupo region and the Tongariro River were featured in her study for all of the wrong reasons.

Perhaps even more remarkable was for the warden to learn that Jerry had funded all their touring and accommodation for the previous year. At first, he was reluctant to reveal how but Helena teased him by suggesting his secret was safe with the oldies as we were complete novices who could never be regarded as a threat. So he admitted to playing poker over the net. 
How clever – the warden was flabbergasted. When he was questioned more closely, a few more beers later, he admitted to the warden his secret to reduce the odds of winning at “Texas Holdem” poker. It was all about bluffing. The warden was fascinated. Jerry was already a ruined man having been a trout bum living the good life without the drudgery of the usual work habit. He had never worked since he left college. No wonder they didn’t want to reveal their secrets, but seventeen years later I trust we are allowed.
From Jerry’s description at how easy it was, he may have planted the seeds for the warden to start plotting a yarn for a book on how to bluff his way in a massive swindle that was about to be unleashed on the Government, to put Turangi on the tourist map forever.

There had to be a sneaky way to do it with far bigger stakes… If Jerry could do it…? Hence the plot for “TONGARIRO Skulduggery” was born. If you enjoy reading more about the biggest fishy plot of all – the last print run for the book is still available at TRM.
TRM can never afford to make any assumptions when a couple of immature disorganised struggling student tourists arrive off the bus looking so helplessly loaded down with bags (see image above).  Jerry & Helena proved they could out-fish most traditional Tongariro anglers by applying their cunning unorthodox methods with extraordinary success.  And most importantly of all at their age, they had so much more fun too.
What a wonderful lifestyle strategy linking study and work and a holiday combination for touring the world together, completing their courses, having such a great time, touring and fishing, and getting paid for it.  So cool! Don’t you envy them? 

Mind you, if you look closely, you might have noticed both Helena and Jerry were wearing lucky TRM hats to double their chances.  So they really couldn’t miss…