Thank you to John for posting this photo. TRM were anxious to find a photo that depicts the amazing fatty healthy great condition of the trout this season. We chose this one.

Do not be distracted by the hat – just admire the trout.

Perhaps TRM should apologise to the angler as I know Paddy tries so hard to keep a sneaky low profile but he was needed to provide some balance to the size of the Rainbow jack.

This season TRM have received so many more reports about “the one that got away”. Even John – a local resident in the photo below – was busted off by a similar fish that shattered his 8-wt rod. The average landing rate in the early season is not much above 50% as they are soooo vigorous and strong as they tear off on some wild salmon-sized runs to avoid capture.

If you really want to catch top-quality Tongariro trout then it can be so easy. Patiently wait until you spy any of these suspicious-looking TRM inmates sporting their lucky hats downriver, then follow them.

Paddy’s evil grin says it all. The cunning winning strategy can be as simple as that.

Be mindful though, he is one of the more courageous fearless wade-anywhere fishos. His usual fishy destination is by wading deep and drifting through those fast snaggy horrible sections of the lower river wisely avoided by any sane mature angler. That might have a lot to do with his success. The fish try to hide and shelter and recover in those ugly inaccessible stretches.

During the last few seasons, Paddy, a farmer from Opanake, has established himself as TRM’s most consistent burglar filling his chilly bin on every trip – particularly around this time of the year when winter spawning runs are starting to peak. He has no special preferred pool or run. He is multi dexterous – on this last trip, he was seen Euro-nymphing above the bridge in the Daisy Pool, then traditional nymphing in the lower Bridge Pool, then wet lining in Vera’s Pool – all within an hour. He landed fish in all these pools but moved on quickly before he was recognised.

Sometimes, as indicated in the 2013 photo with his fishing mate Willy, he has been known to hide behind sneaky Rasta disguises to try to fool the natives. Do not believe anything he tells you as he will only refer other anglers to pools that he has already covered. You have been warned. OK?

If you want to know more then he is one of the TRM inmates featuring in that classic historical literature – “TONGARIRO SKULDUGGERY” where they earned a chapter to themselves. There are still a few collectors’ copies left at TRM reception.