Taupo trout fishing etiquette?

Does the usual trout fishing etiquette apply on the Tongariro River?

We often hear of dicky situations when an angler moving downriver meets another moving upriver and they cannot decide between them who has the right of way. That is not worth reporting on but this is the first time in 19 years that we have felt the need to comment on an incident of this nature, so it is quite rare on the Tongariro River, despite what some others may claim.

Yesterday an unfortunate incident occurred in the lower Bridge Pool. This was the story as reported back to us – remembering that these stories often grow in the telling from one fisho to another so there may be other versions of the truth by now…

Yesterday an elderly (i.e. even older than me) angler was seen to wade ashore to change his fly when another wet liner shuffling down the river moved into his spot. After he tried to wade out to reclaim his spot the old bloke was abused. A loud shouting match followed with the much younger trespasser losing his cool and shoving the older bloke – a well known local character – aggressively enough to push him under.

Other local anglers who witnessed the altercation could not condone such violent behaviour. So, not surprisingly, in support of the soggy angler, early this morning apparently “summary justice” was served, Turangi style.

“Summary justice” in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military is defined as: A trial or other judicial action accomplished swiftly and without observance of certain formalities of legal procedure, with the connotation of arbitrary and unfair judgment.

We trust you can read between the lines… It is safe to assume that the assailant will never do that again.

So it is timely to repeat DOC’s rules of etiquette for the Taupo fishery.

DOC’s (Department of Conservation are the Taupo Fishery Managers) version as follows:

Fishing etiquette

Introduction

Understanding how to fit in with other anglers is very important when you visit the Taupō fishery. Here is some information to help you out.

Fishing etiquette, or fishing manners, is an important aspect of fishing in the Taupō District. This is because in some places there are more anglers than there are preferred fishing locations.

There is a long-standing code that anglers voluntarily adopt to make fishing the rivers and lake an enjoyable experience for everybody.

On the rivers

Smaller rivers

If you’re fishing one of the smaller rivers and find a pool is already occupied, leave the angler to it and move onto a quiet stretch.

Major rivers

  • No single method has right of way over another, for example, a wet-fly angler moving downstream through a pool has equal rights to a nymph angler moving upstream.
  • Always enter a pool behind an angler already fishing – it’s a good idea to speak to other anglers first, as a friendly exchange can avoid tension.
  • If the pool you want to fish is full, never push in – simply wait until someone leaves or move on to another spot.
  • If you’re sharing a pool, steadily fish your way through it – don’t occupy a single spot indefinitely.

In all cases

  • If an angler beside you hooks a fish, leave them room to play it and allow them to return to their position after they have landed it.
  • If you have hooked several fish in succession in one spot, move a few steps so someone else can get the same opportunity.
  • Don’t be so close to another angler that you restrict their casting.

On the lake

  • Anglers trolling or harling can have up to 200 metres of line trailing behind their boat.  Give them plenty of room before moving behind so you do not cut their line.
  • When parking your boat at a popular spot for flyfishing or jigging, give other boaties room to cast.
  • When two boats meet head-on they should each alter course to the starboard (right) to avoid a collision.  But if you are on the offshore side, avoid forcing the other boat into shallow water where their lines might foul.