The post of the photo of the Poutu River footbridge below was taken in 2007. No surprise – this resulted in more questions about how to access this river. When that photo was taken the tracks from SH1 on either side of the road bridge into the Poutu were quite popular. During the spawning season there were often a couple of cars parked at the bridge. Now, sadly, the tracks are overgrown and anglers would need a slasher…

The photos were taken over ten years ago – 2012 – when access was easier. Below is the old main road (SH!) before the construction of a new bridge across the Poutu River and SH1 was realigned. This provided limited access to some interesting pools, particularly enjoyed when the Tongariro was too crowded.

This outlet river from Lake Rotoaira is controlled by a dam at a steady flow so is worth remembering when the Tongariro is in flood. If the trout have read the book (?) they are supposed to swim up the Poutu to escape the dirty pumice, ash and sediment washed down in floods or when the power company releases the dam (up Kaimanawa Road) to get rid of all the rubbish built up. It is also an ideal river to go to for anglers seeking complete peace and solitude as the Tongariro River fishos will not usually persevere with the access difficulties. They have it “too good” on all the other famous pools. In all the years that I fished up there, I cannot remember ever seeing another angler.

Warning – one day the flood debris will be acknowledged and renamed “slash” (see photo below) as too many pines have been planted close to the river banks in the upper Tongariro River gorges.

This under-rated Poutu River saved the day many times when the Tongariro fishing pools were uncooperative and TRM inmates needed a trout for the smoker. It has the advantage of being able to sight any spawning activity into the pool below to spot them before deciding on how to flick a cast into the zone.

The bush and trees hanging overhead make casting more of a challenge for those used to the wide open spaces of the Tongariro River. It is more of a testing physical challenge just to get there. Walking access is still possible further up the river towards the falls but is too difficult to describe exactly where as all the older tracks have disappeared. The tramp walking in was often dominated by wild pig rooting. Polaroid sunglasses, a wading pole and a landing net are essential, or even better take a mate to help. Even then most will lose as many trout as they can land.

The easiest anglers’ access to the Poutu River is to drive along the road access to the Blue Pool, then take the first side road on the left down to the car parking area. The more popular walking track to the right leads to Boulder Reach and to the left leads to the confluence of the Tongariro River and the Poutu River. Anglers need to be able to wade up the Poutu River towards where the footbridge above was removed as the banks are completely overgrown – see photo below.

The local resident population below are not spooked by anglers intruding in their space.