This is another attempt to use photos to tell the story “before and after” the recent flood for those Tongariro junkies planning their next trip, who may be unaware of the extent of changes following the recent flood.

The photo above from the TRB in what used to be called Vera’s Pool (?) was taken on 10 August in anticipation of the big 600 + cumec flood at the end of August. Below is an update on 7 September, after waiting for the river to drop to more normal levels. OK? Yawn. So what! Nothing much has changed.

Immediately below this spot the main river split with a bypass leading off the TRB around the previous Braids in front of Tongariro Lodge. This had developed into a popular fly fishing stretch replacing the old Honeypot in the original braids.

Again – photos before the flood on 10 August provided easy wading and nymphing water with perfect dry fly riffles… It was so reliable.

Warning to North Shore Club members – they may need to brace themselves with a strong cup of tea or may have to look away.

Try to spot any changes after the flood…

The skinny ankle-deep bypass hardly flows and is no longer considered “fishable”. It may dry up completely. Everyone is having to explore to discover new pools where the flood moved thousands of tons of gravel and sediment to bury some pools and create others.

The bad news is that so many spawning redds have been buried and many eggs lost.

The good news is that the reduced number of surviving trout growing in Lake Taupo will develop much better specimens in two or three years.