TRM inmates and other anglers read the latest notice from Genesis, that the Poutu Canal from Poutu Dam to Lake Rotoaira is to be closed off this week, with concern. This blog is to dismiss any fears and provide the good news. This is a confidential TRM report so keep it to yourself. The photos provide the reasons.
The last time the Poutu Canal was closed off for such a sustained period was to repair the pipe joints in the first week of March 2009. A higher flow lasted all week. The date of the photos was 3 March 2009.
During that week I was granted leave from laundry duties as I had to “guide” TRM inmates downriver to ambush all the brown trout that suddenly decided to make a spawning run in the confusion of dirty higher flows. The photos are only of one inmate, Jason Klivington from Portland, Oregon, with some examples of the fish he caught.
The river was up high and very coloured so casting was restricted to the slower moving shallows inside of the usual feed line. We were both using our rough version of a large Cicada pattern. The occasional trout was spotted rising but they mainly responded to the noise of the large fly splashed on the surface.
Most days we never got down river until about midday – due to my devotion to laundry duties – so we only fished for about 4-5 hours. The large majority of the trout were landed by Jason as I was the guide!
We found the best most productive section of the lower river was De Latours (now bypassed) and below to what was then known as Downs Pool.
Our best day down the TRB was, if my memory is correct, 21 browns and 15 Rainbows. The next day we returned down the TLB to see if it was true and failed. Only about 15 browns and 10 Rainbows. And so on and on… OK?
Official notice: Potential elevated flow rates on the Tongariro River. Genesis is undertaking urgent maintenance work on Poutū Tunnel this week – Monday 24 March to Friday 28 March.
During this time, there will be no water taken from the Tongariro River at Poutū Intake, so flows downstream will be higher than usual and more susceptible to fluctuation.
Genesis says, while the work is planned to be finished during these dates, it may finish early or continue after the dates for a short period if required.