The original 1959 version…
Thank you for the feedback on yesterday’s post, describing some memories of the Tongariro fishing by a fishy inmate, Alan Bulmer, posted in 2017. He succinctly explained the feelings I have been trying to express for the last 20 years or so.
“The Tongariro is not only in my blood, but it is deeply etched in my soul. It is not just the river but everything about the experience. There is nothing more cathartic than a day spent ambling along the Tongariro, drinking in the scenery and becoming at one with nature. Those who take the time to appreciate the beauty will understand what I mean.”
For many years now, TRM blogs have reported on how many were caught, but rarely considered the feelings and passion anglers experience after fishing the Tongariro River. I, too, suffered repeated self-inflicted sadness for many years, whenever I returned home after a fishing trip, wondering why I was leaving this river environment. Eventually, any advantages of city survival eroded, and we were determined that life had more to offer. We were seeking better options for our retirement lifestyle. So we started scheming. Was there a way to blend the joys of the Tongariro into our lifestyle?
Eventually, just in time, we made a life-changing decision. In 2004, at 60 years of age, we packed up and moved to Turangi. We can now confirm that it offers paradise; TRM has been far better than we could have dreamed of.
Originally, we started looking at houses when a friend suggested that whatever we bought, he would go halves, in return for providing suitable accommodation for whenever he came fishing. How could I decline that offer? Then, after a year or so searching without finding a suitable house to share, he suggested buying the motel – specifically TRM. It was not even for sale, but it fitted our lifestyle aims.
But now, over twenty years later, I feel it in my bones. We regret it is time we physically retired.
As you know, TRM has been advertised for sale, and many have asked if it has sold yet. The market response could have been predicted from the usual mixture of commercial developers investigating subdivision or redevelopment, not surprisingly driven entirely by $ profit motives. 
We feel this is unfortunate as they are missing the main attractive advantage of this location. That’s OK, I guess, but it would mean the end of an era for many anglers, often referred to as inmates, who have supported TRM for up to 40 years and beyond. Every day, they anxiously ask about the fate of TRM. We feel we owe it to them to try to preserve their holiday homes. Any sale to a developer would be a tragedy for them, as it has greater potential and is worth far more to more people as a trout-fishing-based retreat. Read Alan’s quote above. How do you value that?
More than a holiday retreat, we hope it will provide another operator with the joy and satisfaction that we have experienced. That cannot be simply assessed in crude $ terms. As indicated on the motel “Fifty Pools to Fish Before You Die” bucket list map above, there are fifty more worthwhile reasons to preserve the good life at TRM.
Now, in our 80s, we have reached the level of maturity to know that the package offers far healthier returns, providing a perfect retirement package option for home and income. Therefore, we have not yet accepted the offers from wannabe developers. We are hanging in there, looking for another like-minded soul who understands what we are trying to sell. It has lifestyle rewards that cannot be duplicated. Simple words cannot capture our heartfelt passion, as Alan Bulmer expressed it above.
When we turned 60, we thought we had enjoyed a remarkable life and were very thankful. But after retiring to this trout-fishing slice of heaven, we now realise that all we had done was to exist. Our previous city-based survival was more about “earning” than living. With the wonderful benefit of hindsight, we can now confidently suggest that life is too short to waste on city survival. Based on real experience, we believe TRM offers someone a chance at a lifestyle that is too good to destroy. I hope that makes sense…
The big shift apparent throughout the civilised world has been a migration out of the congestion and stress of cities, to escape to find a place to relax and enjoy the finer things in life. A place offering life’s more important healthy priorities. We believe TRM offers the best of both worlds, with a secure income from other like-minded mature guests who are similarly seeking a relaxed life that is no longer available or possible in what remains of the city environment. We know you can do better.
Despite what may have been claimed in these blog posts, it is not all about slaving in the laundry. Capable staff look after all the physical work. An effective marketing package built around these Facebook posts has been in place for many years. You just have to be here to meet and greet. We never expected that most of the inmates would become such good friends over the years. They have made our selected lifestyle so much more rewarding. (Some have already deserted the city and moved to Turangi permanently!)
Property developers would not appreciate the added value of that, but many anglers do. It is a rare opportunity to combine a home and income with an easy, laid-back lifestyle that most can only dream about.
I apologise if this has turned into a bit of an advert, but we are concerned that the niche market we were aiming at has been monopolised by property developers. They have spied all the spare land available for subdivision and cannot resist the chance to convert it into dollars. We think our inmates have a different interpretation of real value to them.
