As mentioned in the “Lower River Pool Report” yesterday, the main changes that anglers will notice after last week’s flood are access issues. In particular the popular Reed Pool and Jones Pool… Hopefully the photos will tell the story:

Given the size of the recent flood at over 600 cumecs, the damage to access tracks down river is not surprising. There are too many smaller changes to itemise around the Braids and further down river. Most involve new snags appearing and new deeper channels in places that were previously easily waded for crossing the braids. Anglers who were familiar with the Braids will get many surprises.

The major change for most anglers is that the track down to Reed Pool has been demolished. It is now in the river. Walking access is still possible down to where the side track winds down to the shallow stream crossing to access Duff’s Pool or wade down the stream and across to Log Pool. It is now clearly marked by the bomb crater formed on the track. Soon after the “crater” above, the old track to Reed Pool has merged with the river flow.

The walk is still worthwhile to gain access across to Log Pool.

The Log pool and Duffs Pool look much the same but the river had not gone down enough to identify potential problems with current flows and depth and snags.

The flow in the original river, away from the council canal, appears to have increased but it is still early days to be certain. A wading pole is absolutely essential as there are signs of pumice sandbanks which can be quite tricky. The other essential down river, while it is still settling, is to fish with a mate…

Perceptive fishos will be impressed how TRM’s security manager, Juno always goes ahead checking for snakes. The first of the West Island contingent has arrived at TRM (Welcome back Trev.). It usually takes them about three days to relax and stop looking for snakes so Juno checks it out before they get here.

An alternative route is to veer right up onto the higher river terrace where there is a mature stand of pines but we cannot recommend this as it means trespassing onto private farmland.

As Reed Pool could not easily be accessed from upriver trails, the next obvious possible alternative for determined fishos might be to try from downriver – by driving further down to the end of Grace Road? Sadly, this track is also washed out – photos to illustrate the devastation and a more detailed description will follow… TRM reports have to be careful not to overdo it – Tongariro fishos can only absorb so much disappointment and pain in one day.