We are fascinated by this MBIE Innovation Programme for Tourism Recovery is a $54 million contestable fund for projects that will have meaningful impact across the tourism system.

Of course, as always, SWMBO has the answer. Almost one hundred years ago the Government of the day had the same problem – how to promote NZ’s best clean green image. What they did was brilliant in retrospect. They invited a world-famous Western author called Zane Grey and paid for him to go fishing and write his book called “The Angler’s Eldorado”. It worked. He put the Tongariro River trout fishing on the world map. Tourist anglers flocked here from all over the world. Even the Royals!

So if/when in doubt, find a successful precedent and follow their winning example. So simple really… Today it is so easy. Back then there was no TV or computer communication via social media. All we need to do is email a celebrity who would love to visit NZ for trout fishing. Their success would be guaranteed after one of our local anonymous guides looked after the casting and hooking routine. They only need to be filmed landing the trophy trout.

It is not surprising that there are so many famous celebrities that love trout fishing. i.e.

The obvious first choice would be Brad Pitt – did you know his first Robert Redford film was a cult movie “A River Runs Through it”? The most famous trout fishing film ever. They also used a guide for the tricky casting and hooking scenes of course but we won’t tell anyone. That 1992 film alone tripled the membership of many American fly fishing clubs. It was an absolutely sensational cult hit. Robert Redford is also a trout fishing junkie of course.

Or we could invite the FONZ? Henry Winkler is a trout fishing nutter. What a hit he would be! But should we need to choose a more attractive easy on-the-eye-candy angleress to attract tourists to the mighty Tongariro. So we googled it and were shocked to discover so many – i.e.

It’s not surprising that fishing is one of America’s favorite outdoor recreational activities. Over 42 million Americans age six and older fished in 2016.

But what may be lesser known is that fishing is a favourite pastime of many female celebrities. For many famous ladies, fishing is a challenging sport that helps them relax or brings a thrill when they’re not working their day jobs.

Here’s a look at 20 other well-known fishing celebrities that you probably didn’t know are pretty good with a rod and reel in hand.

1. Lindsey Vonn

She may be a natural on the slopes, with her Olympic gold medals in downhill. But Lindsey Vonn has discovered that she loves both fly and spearfishing.

She’s Instagrammed a photo of herself under the sea, spear in hand, with the caption “On top of a mountain and under the water is where I find my peace.”

In 2015, she took casting lessons at the GoPro Mountain Games and took to the sport like, well, a fish to water. Even her instructor declared that Vonn not just nailed her target, “she drained it.”

Looks like she has plenty to keep her busy during the warmer months.

2. Emma Watson

Yes, Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter films really loves fly fishing and has traded casting spells for casting lines. She revealed her love for the sport in 2008 and is known to tie her own flies.

Watson also supports a British organization called the Wild Trout Trust which helps preserve the habitat of wild trout in waterways throughout the UK. She’s obviously dedicated to the sport and helping others discover her love for fishing.

3. Oprah Winfrey

One of daytime television’s most powerful women brought attention to fly fishing when she and her BFF Gayle King learned how to fly fish for an episode of her talk show in 2010. During their visit to Montana to film the segment, Winfrey told her instructors that the adventure was not a “one and done deal.” She revealed her plans to return for more fishing.

Winfrey was true to her word, because a few years later she took Paula Dean along for a fishing excursion. How convenient to bring along someone who would know how to cook the day’s bounty. We wonder who gave advice on choosing wine to enjoy with the catch.

4. Paris Hilton

The hotel heiress isn’t in the news as much lately as she used to be in her early days of fame. Maybe that’s because she’s too busy reeling them in.

Hilton told US Magazine that she’s a bit of a daredevil who also loves to fish. Well, with her fortune we certainly know she can rent the most elaborate fishing boats that exist. (

5. Harrison Ford

6. Barak Obama

7. Jack Nicklaus

8. Kevin Costner

9. Donald Trump Jr.

10. Liam Neeson

11. David Beckham

12. Martha Stewart

13. Gordon Ramsay

14. Eric Clapton

15. Michael Keaton

16. Tommy Lee Jones

17. Jimmy Carter

18. Tiger Woods

19. Hugh Jackman

20. Robert Redford

So it was left up to the TRM Manager to decide who She would invite but She cannot decide… Perhaps we should ask MBIE (Ministry of Everything) to decide before we invite them.

There were many more celebs but most I did not recognise as I am a little out of date. We could go on and on. It is not the selection that is as important as the conceptual idea.

Any better ideas? Who would you invite?