The Trout Man’s interesting blog – commenting on the size of the average trout caught in NZ streams – certainly generated conflicting comments from loyal Tongariro fishos. The following extracted from DOC’s newsletter (Department of Conservation manage the Taupo fishery) confirms the average weight measured in the trap for 2024 season survey on the Tongariro River, was 1.6 kg (3 1/2 pounds). OK? For West Islanders (!) who usually prefer to measure the length of their catch, (so it seems bigger) the survey indicated an average length of about 515mm:

For those still not convinced (?) the photo evidence below is local Turangi angler, John Lunt comparing a Rainbow trout from 2022 with a Brown trout from 2024.

His catch rate is similar to visiting angler, Paddy Walsh from Opanake, with his Brown trout and Rainbow trout from 2024.

They provide convincing evidence to withstand any scrutiny.