On the first day of Summer we are asked again which is best. There are so many factors to consider that we cannot comment on. Fitness? Experience? Aims? Age? etc. That is why we leave Twizel for the experts to advise as it is not comparable to the serene beauty of real natural wild trout rivers. There is plenty of info on the web to sort out novices. Over 20 years ago we decided Turangi offered the best of everything. We have not been disappointed. It really is under-rated. But keep it to yourself – OK?
First – the Gore PR version:
While the Gore District certainly has its fair share of iconic large statues, one that can’t be missed is the large brown trout – all 1.5 tonnes and nine metres of it.
Considering Gore is the World Capital of Brown Trout Fishing it is only fitting this is the sight greeting visitors on their arrival into town.
Since its official unveiling by Sir Bob Jones (the traitor trained in Turangi! ) on 18 February 1989, the trout has become one of New Zealand’s iconic statues and one of the most photographed features in Southland.
The battle for the world title
As locals celebrated the unveiling of the trout, Gore’s claim as the World Capital of Brown Trout Fishing had started a fierce debate.
Passionate anglers from the Central North Island town of Turangi staunchly believed their town was in fact the trout fishing capital of the world. In a bid to prove Gore was once and for all the titleholder, a ‘fish-off’ was held.
The first leg of the fish-off involved four Gore anglers fishing the Mataura, under the scrutiny of their Turangi counterparts, for a day. The second leg saw Turangi’s anglers fish their rivers under the scrutiny of the Gore team.
The winner would be the team with the most fish.
After both legs, each team had caught 18 fish. The catch? All but one of the fish caught in Turangi were “rainbow” trout, while all caught in the Mataura were, in fact brown trout (as expected!).
The title has proudly remained Gore’s to this day.
Since it’s unveiling, the trout has had one short holiday. In 2005 it was taken down and given a spruce up to ensure its longevity. Sixteen years of bird droppings had scoured the laminated fibreglass and one eye was destroyed.
Love it or hate it, the giant brown trout is still going strong, alongside its counterparts, the giant guitar, the large Romney sheep and other statues that can be found in this great country town.
BUT – typical of most stories from fishermen – we discovered another version to this…
Turangi have the opportunity in November 2024 when the Toe-Paw council butchered a majestic Oak tree close to SH1. It would have provided a suitable base for a trout carving. But as council were too ashamed, hiding from their mistake, they failed to take up the challenge. See following TRM blog:
Taupahi Road Oak Tree massacre
Following further delays to deal with the skeleton of the sacred protected registered majestic Red Oak tree on Taupahi Road after the Toe Paw Council butchers pruned it late in 2024, it is time to reconsider the alternative option suggested by TRM readers. See following response to TDC:
February 4, 2025
Oak tree carving monument?
TRM is still waiting in anticipation for the results of the Toe-paw Council investigation and report on why the majestic Oak tree was butchered in 2024, to advise residents on what they plan to do with the remaining stump.
In the meantime, this photo, sent by another concerned tourist, was taken on the corner of Salmon Street & 58 th Avenue in Portland, USA, and provided as an example of what the Toe-paw Council could do to try to save face. Most readers wanting to contribute to Council’s Resource Consent decision on what to do now after they butchered the mature Oak tree outside TRM still prefer the sensational raised finger salute (?) but a carved trout could be an acceptable compromise.
TRM could keep posting readers’ suggestions for the rest of the year but that is enough to decide.
The Toe-Paw council have had their turn and botched it, or blamed their contractors who botched the instructions, whatever. They cannot be trusted to botch it again. Now it is your turn. After all, you ratepayers are paying for it.
Turangi’s Councillor, Sandra Greenslade has added her advice below:
“There is no need to send a submission Ross Baker.
We cannot get a resource consent to remove the remains of the poor tree without going through this process- we know it seems nonsensical but unless we do it we dont get the RC.
TDC and others made mistakes; its been acknowledged and now we need to remove the tree and replace it with one of a similar species.
We are all desperately sad over what happened; we know it shouldn’t have but now we need to move on.
I hope you understand.”
Tongariro River Motel replied:
“Thank you Sandra, although our regular fishy inmates will never understand Council’s arrogance. Have they provided any costs to date of the original contract price including road management etc. and how much were the contractors paid for their botch up? In normal business circumstances, if they botched it they should pay for it. Ratepayers would love to know as it is our money they have wasted.”