Anglers’ unique advantages staying at TRM
Now Lake O summer season is open again. We have heard of one ten pound Rainbow landed so far. There were sixteen trailers at the boat ramp yesterday. Another reminder the lake is closed for February…
It is time to remind prospective tourist anglers of the special bonuses and advantages offered by TRM. No other motel in NZ could compete in providing so many little thoughtful extras – see rod hooks above – specifically designed for Tongariro and Lake O fishos. That is why so many clubs plan their Taupo visits to stay at TRM.
The bookings from anglers appear to have finally recovered from the Covid drought. Based on bookings, February is Australian month at TRM. They warned us they have waders but need wading boots. Boots are always difficult to pack, too heavy and bulky. We understand. So we spread out 12 pairs of boots for them to choose from. That is quite normal for TRM. None of them fit of course. There are only two sizes – too big and too small.
We have to immediately stress these are only for TRM inmates and not the general public as we do not charge hire fees. Any hire $ will be included in their room rate so any extra cost is painless. We have to stress this as we have had members of the public “borrowing” them and other items, such as even sneaking in using the guest laundry.
Behind the fish cleaning station are a couple of rooms for smoking trout and a guest laundry – free for guests’ exclusive use. (One day I noticed a car parked outside the guest laundry and two ladies (?) rushed off in a hurry, obviously unhappy that they had been surprised and caught, leaving the three laundry over-loaded machines full of clothes being washed and dried. When they did not return I finished their laundry for them, carefully folded and repacked, and took it all down to the Hospice shop. So you have been warned…)
OK, We do not apologise for the visual dilapidated condition of the commercial-sized smokehouse above, looking old and shabby to match the owners who have also passed their used-by date. It is now over 65 years old and, despite appearances, does a marvellous job, adding to the fishy ambience. Anglers need to know the recipe drill. Smoking instructions are provided. The limit is about 15 trout – 30 fillets per smoking session, as displayed below.
The usual problem is when the trout are too fresh and wet and too soggy to smoke properly. We plead with inmates to hang them for a day to dry them out first. (Seasoned with salt and brown sugar provided) Then the smoking time will be much less, and the flesh will be flaky and delicious. We need to replace the Manuka kindling again soon. We try to find old trees that have been felled for firewood where they leave the tops for us to dry out and chew up more suitable for the smoker.
Coincidentally, the Toe Paw Council kindly pruned a mature Red Oak tree nearby on Taupahi Road, to provide TRM inmates with about ten years supply, so TRM is the only trout smokehouse in NZ offering dried oak chips for the smoker.
Home deliveries can be arranged but the service is slow and unreliable – see above.
The nibbles below were provided by an inmate as a taste treat – as payment for the use of the smoker.
Similarly, with waders, TRM’s menswear department has a summer collection (Lighter breathable waders with a variety of boots) and a thicker warmer winter collection (Neoprene waders offer warmth and durability and that’s it. They’re uncomfortable, and guests might struggle to survive the warmth whether you need it or not). With neoprenes, comfortable foot sizing is often difficult as one size has to fit all. Or if you want to be picky they come in two sizes – too big and too small.
Opposite the fish cleaning station in the carport of Unit 8 (see above) are several additional pairs of waders left behind by inmates. That usually means they might leak (?), but they are still ideal for keeping warm when walking around the river during colder weather conditions.
Note the wader cupboard security guard! Wader cupboards have hot water cylinders to dry out the waders overnight. Imagine getting up to warm waders on a cold morning. Almost better than …
Knives and butchers’ glove and sharpening stone are available only from reception. They went missing too often from the trout cleaning station.
Then inside the motel units are almost too many little features for anglers – many fishing magazines and books including the last few copies of that extraordinary mockumentary, “TONGARIRO Skulduggery”, plus other little items like rod hooks – see photo below:
Other special anglers’ list of essentials provided is the Tongariro River map – “Fifty Pools to Fish Before you Die” – the bucket list for all anglers and the wading poles – recycled ski poles – strongly recommended for the Tongariro River.
The list goes on and on…
About twenty years history of Target taupo and other old fishy magazines and books are available for wet days when the river is flooded.
Last, I suspect TRM is the only motel in NZ foolish enough to provide inflatable rafts for responsible guests’ use – only at guests’ risk! NOTE: These are not kid’s toys but the “water strider” rafts for Lake O are a serious trout hunting machine. They are not suitable for rafting down the Tongariro as some of the rapids will flip them, but are perfect for fine days at Lake O. TRM reserves the right to select only mature responsible fishos for raft hire. See the video below…
They are quite valuable so we need to qualify our generosity with a stipulation that if they get damaged or leak from pin-pricks by sharp little hooks then we will pass on all repair costs including transport to and from the factory in Taihape.
The 12-year-old brief video demonstrates their flexibility by a mature inmate who was over eighty and who physically could not wade the river but found the rafts ideal for his annual fortnight fishing trip. The electric pumps and oars, life jackets and anchors etc. are all part of the package.
ps : 2026 Update – SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed is the Hire Manager at TRM) regrets we cannot offer portable BBQ’s any longer after two attempts to burn the units down were foiled just in time. (Our Insurance has doubled!) Also the free trail bikes previously offered have all been stolen…
Just look at the many other Fish & Game maps for other regions including that other island down south. Where else is there so much fishy info and equipment available at one place? TRM targets anglers and knows what matters to them. Book now…
