Recently, we have experienced a new phenomenon: SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed is the Manager and bridge consultant at TRM and answers more questions about the new suspension swing bridge than about fishing.  Posting blogs is such a curious business.  We still cannot predict the most popular issues as they change so often.

Last week TRM posted a majestic photo of Mt Ruapehu and all the gloomy predictions of whether or when or if there will be another earthquake.  Tourist had been asking so we thought that was topical.  Immediately, another viewer criticised TRM for posting “clickbait”.  So it was deleted.  The same pattern was followed over the weekend for posts claiming TRM are racists, etc.  Nobody on this website is interested in such allegations, so delete, delete, delete…

Today we reinspected the new bridge again, waiting for the framework on the Taupahi side to be erected.  We were too early when it was a bit too chilly to wait around.  Instead, the other photos below are to illustrate the progress on landscaping work clearing the overgrown bush beside the farm

But before another complaint is received, TRM should explain why we appear so addicted to updating progress on a new walking/biking bridge.  We explain, it was almost a competition…

For the last photo sent in by a local resident, John, a fellow member of the Tongariro Bridge Watchers’ Club, he scored over 18,000 views from over 13,000 viewers, 92% non-followers, with 69 “likes”.

Two days before Kev’s photo scored over 24,000 views from over 17,000 viewers, 92% non-followers, with 107 likes.  Isn’t Facebook wonderful?

Those blokes in the team on the bridge had no idea they were so popular.  Boring fishos are outnumbered by the bridge crew.

There were more bikers on the Tongariro River Trail than anglers.  This family from Auckland were loving the conditions.  One biker reported he had already landed two trout from the Major Jones Pool (that is the other Major Jones – not the Army Major that supervised the original bridge 70 years ago.

This nearby well-known Tongariro pool is named after Major Rhys Wykeham (or Wykham) Jones, who fished with a 17-foot cane rod (5.18 metres), which he had used on the Spey in Scotland.  We wonder if the 9-foot rod used more often now reflects the shrinkage factor in trout size?   Other trout fishing writers – OS Hintz, H Hickling, etc. reported him as a complete wally, being more memorable for wearing a monocle than his exuberant over-the-top Pommie fishing style.  So we hope that sorts out the Major Joneses.

Perhaps this memorable bridge-building occasion might be an opportunity to change the name of the pool instead of the bridge?  You decide…

Another beautiful day in Turangi, compared to Ohakune – snowing, Taupo – snowing, Desert Road closed – snowing.  Turangi is such a perfect holiday location.