Surely you cannot get much happier than that portrayed by Phil above. He arrived on Sunday after being missing in action for the last three years. The usual old age problems of health, new hip, etc. had interrupted his fishing so he was thrilled to be back in waders. He arrived at TRM about 3 pm dying to get down to re-familiarise himself with his favourite Tongariro environment, to see if he was still up to it? The image was taken about an hour later.

That is the wonderful thing about trout fishing. The ageless challenge and pure joy and satisfaction and fun and exhilaration in the Tongariro River flowing through nature’s garden are all evident in Phil’s grin. It is almost unfair to be enjoying life so much – enjoying growing old. So what is it about trout fishing that is so special?

Where we live on the eastern side of SH1 was originally a quaint little fishing village – called Taupahi, before the new town – called Turangi – was built about 50 years ago to accommodate the hydro power workers and all their families. The Taupahi side still has much of the original rustic charm of a trout fishing tourist town, but what makes it so special, you may not be surprised to learn, are the people. If you are looking for some fine examples of “relentless positivity” then this is the place!

Most retired here to fish, or play golf, or to enjoy the surrounding three national parks or just to be halfway to everywhere. Turangi is so well located midway between Wellington and Auckland, midway between Napier and New Plymouth, midway between Palmerston North and Hamilton. As such it is only a day trip from everywhere in the North Island.

So why are the local fishy folk so special? Many naturally retire to pursue leisure activities that may have been neglected during their working lives. Work is so over-rated. Many sports are competitive with the emphasis on being performance-based. We are conditioned by a sports mad society in this performance-obsessed world. Competing and achieving goals have become second nature. But as many age and mature they find difficulty in maintaining the same physical pace or standards that were set when they were fully fit and able.

Some sports – i.e. golf, have a handicapping system to try to overcome that but it still does not compensate for tired bodies and all the little issues like loss of vision etc. That is where trout fishing can still return the same thrill for local retirees as it does for teenagers. Many fishos might not be able to wade the depths or cover as many pools in a day but make up for that with “cunning’. Many might be past their “used by date” for other sports but with trout fishing we plan better to aim at pools more within our limited physical abilities. It is so satisfying and more than just as much fun – probably better than ever to rekindle our mature enthusiasm for life…

So often we have inmates returning from their fishing trip with nothing to show for it except a bounce in their step and such a wide grin of satisfaction to have been able to still take part. And that is enough. The thrill alone of being out on the river enjoying the scenery and the challenge is sufficient. They have nothing to prove any longer. Retirement just means they can do it more often, even if it takes a little longer. A retirement life spent fishing is better than good.

TRM have so many anglers now in their 70’s & 80’s still enjoying their retirement hobby with a passion that cannot be achieved in other “performance-based” sports. They cannot wait to tell us they enjoy it even more as the competitive elements that previously drove them are no longer important or relevant. Despite the ageing process, they are still so positive in their outlook and, like Phil above, we look forward to their visits every year as they give us more encouragement for the future.

PS What a wonderful Silver Ferns win.