Weekend anglers need to be warned the walking access to the Reeds and Jones Pools had become more difficult. TRM’s photos should illustrate the problem. As the old Bridge Pool flow keeps changing the angling pressure has moved lower down the river. Photo below taken from the SH1 road bridge today with two anglers wading from the TRB. In past seasons all the action would have been on the TLB beach but the flow is now concentrated on that side where it is too strong for floating lines to sink.
In recent seasons the Reed & Jones Pools have become more popular as the old Bridge Pool deteriorated and changed into a faster rapid.
After rain last night, today there were ten cars in the Braids car park. But the access track down the TRB from the Braids car park is now more challenging after the two recent overnight floods exceeding 700 cumecs.
So most of the anglers appear to have moved further down river. Over the years, DOC has the improved walking access below the Braids car park by building raised platforms above where the track usually ponds. See photo below:
Farmers suggest a better solution would have been to drain the wet spots… but any improvement was appreciated.
A few years ago, above the Reed Pool the erosion destroyed the original route and forced a new track up the bank over a fence through private pine plantation. Now that track back down to the river edge has eroded as well. The track access problem has increased where the temporary new track disappears into the river, so a more permanent route may need to be selected and negotiated with adjoining landowners.
Above is the latest “snag” above Reeds Pool. This will probably be swept down into Reeds Pool or beyond with the next flood.
Anglers are warned the walking (waddling in waders) access is more precarious but the bank will continue to erode. Wading poles are recommended to be used like a third leg.
In the lower river above the Braids car park it is encouraging how adjoining land owners have landscaped and planted the boundaries and even provided tourist seating with view corridors looking up the bypass towards Mt. Pihanga.
