This morning we went exploring to see if we could locate the spot described in the following story. TRM had a request from another tourist fisho from West Island who was returning for his annual fix and was keen to find the spot and apply the same technique of fishing method that he had read about in TRM’s “mockumentary” Tongariro Skulduggery. He read about it over three years ago and it obviously tickled his imagination. For his 2023 fishing trip, that was his special quest.

Exploring through the undergrowth is not without hazards. At one point Juno got onto the trace of a possum or a cat? Juno claimed it might have been a bear. I tried to keep up but instead tripped over and am now nursing severe war wounds – mostly to my pride – of our exploration. The previous time we had explored this track she got onto a wild cat and chased it up a tree. I shook the tree for the black cat in the photo to fall into Juno’s waiting paws, where I knew justice would be delivered, but then the cat thrashed Juno instead.

The location was on the TRB (True Right Bank looking downriver) accessed from the beautiful Kamahi Pool, from where it runs into the “Never-Fail” Pool. At first glance it looks impossible. The strong current is too powerful for most weighted nymphs to penetrate but up hard against the steep bank there was hardly any current under the trees. Along the hard edge of the bank was where the cunning trout quietly sneak upriver to their spawning grounds. The access above this bank has since been improved by a new angler access track above the flow.

Since the photos below were taken in 2007 the river has changed and the ledge that Jerry was perched on is now eroded away. Or perhaps I could not find it? As such, I am sure he will not mind us repeating the story as it illustrates a completely different and very successful sneaky and even legal method of fly fishing the Tongariro River.

Chapter 18 (P 122) from Tongariro Skulduggery – A fishy story:

(Photo of Helena & Jerry looking so sad about departing after ten days fishing success on the mighty Tongariro River.)

During happy hour recently, another inmate asked SWMBO who or what was our most memorable fishing guest experience at TRM?  What a tricky question…  There are soooo many wonderful memories but – after checking with SWMBO – one couple in particular stands out as they were so remarkable and unexpected.  (At the time She promised they would not reveal their technique to anyone, but now, sixteen years later, She should get away with it.)
Jerry & Helena arrived in Turangi in July 2007 after traveling on a budget tourist bus and – as illustrated in their image – resembled a couple of young disorganised struggling back-packing tourists.  Despite their misleading appearance, they convinced TRM, with Helena’s winning smile and the trout rod poking out of Jerry’s pack, that they knew exactly what they were after.  They were fish bums who were struggling financially and hoped to negotiate a sweetheart ‘deal’.
Firstly they wanted two or three nights discount for accommodation – at a weekly rate – enough time for reconnaissance to explore up and down the Tongariro.  Their “deal” offered, if they found the sort of fishing spot they were looking for, then they would stay another two days to test it and if it was anywhere near as good as TRM had claimed in the Daily Reports, then they would stay another week or two.  Also they needed to borrow chest waders – not for wading, but to keep warm. Back then the fishing was hard and we had to rave a bit more… Of course TRM was always spouting on positively about the Tongariro fishing so they trapped us to gamble on their likely success. (This story is all about gambling!)

So they easily negotiated (screwed?) a 14-day generous discounted (no servicing!) room rate ‘deal’ out of SWMBO.  Their confidence was quite remarkable for a young couple.  They did not need guidance as they knew what they were looking for.  Of course, the deal was also to teach the old owner who was a little curious about their unorthodox approach. Then it was noticed that Jerry’s rod had the tip broken off.  TRM offered a replacement loan (perhaps in case he broke another) but he was not concerned and advised he did not need the rod to cast.  That only increased the mystery about their selected spot and methods.

On the first day they went downriver and checked out the lower river and town pools as well but could not find a suitable position. They reported plenty of fish sightings but their specification was for something different. The old man was intrigued even more On the second day they investigated the middle river and beyond – up above Hydro Pool – and reported one likely run-out, which they thought showed promise.  So they stayed on… The warden was even more perplexed as he thought he knew that stretch of river and could not imagine fly fishing there. Or they had to be up to something different? On the third day they tested it and enjoyed fresh run juicy smoked Rainbow trout for dinner that night.  They reported back they were excited at their discovery and were convinced it showed great promise. This was at a time when other TRM fishos were struggling to achieve any touches let alone limit bags.
So they confirmed they would stay for at least another week.  TRM’s gamble paid off! Each day they left TRM at a most civilised hour (when most other anglers were returning to thaw out) – about 10-11 am – and casually returned a few hours later from their stroll upriver and repeatedly landed double figures.  How frustrating! At that stage all the warden could squeeze out of them was that Helena acted as the ‘spotter’ and that was why he was so successful.  They loved eating Taupo trout but eventually grew tired of cooking and smoking trout ten different ways.
So, acting responsibly on your behalf, the old man was determined to find out where.  And how?  Eventually, SWMBO reluctantly granted him leave from laundry duties to attempt to follow them.  Fortunately, TRM had sneaked the in-house spy into their camp.  Each day Boof, the motel dog, went with them so they hoped he would eventually crack and lead to where…

The old man had worked out roughly where they might be but could not see them even from the opposite side.  After walking and wading to my limit he could not spot them.  Then he discovered the giveaway – definite paw print evidence up the sandy bank into the bush heading down river, so he knew he was on the right track.  Soon after he ended up crawling on hands and knees where it was impossible to stand up or peer ahead through the tight undergrowth.  Just as he was about to give up – surprise – a dog licked him on the nose.  Boof had heard and found the intruder.  They were so well disguised in their ‘possie’ that anyone could have passed them.

Helena had chosen a delightful elevated sheltered sunny spot on the bank where she could relax and read and occasionally peer down into the riffles at the tail of a run – where the bubble line ran directly under her, tight against the bank. They only fished PM when the sun was shining on the water on the TRB.
Jerry was kneeling precariously on a narrow ledge, perched just above the river about 3-4 metres upriver from Helena.  His outline so close to the flow was even disguised by bushes he had planted.  His patience was rewarded.  The old man was so impressed a ttheir ingenuity as he had never seen anyone fishing that spot before or after.
Helena relaxed and watched the trout on their spawning run gliding ever so slowly up the current close to the bank and issued progress reports.  She was reading for most of the time.  From her elevated position she could spot the trout.  He couldn’t.  On her instruction, as soon as the trout were just about a rod length ahead of him within ‘casting’ distance, he simply flicked his fly onto their nose and hooked up every time.  It looked so easy.  The warden had never seen trout fishing look so simple. It was enlightening how slowly and cautiously the trout eased up the current. Helena was enjoying her studies each day in completely private idyllic surroundings while waiting for the next trout to swim past.  After a few days, she was even feeding native birds – tuis and wax eyes.

On their last night they were invited in for dinner as the old man was anxiously hoping to learn more.  SWMBO is sneaky like that so you have been warned.  It took a few beers for them to loosen up.  It was a shrewd investment as we were astonished at more surprising revelations.
Both their families owned tourist trout fishing lodges in Swedish fjords so they were experienced in using the same technique before.  They had been touring around the world for over a year via several top trout fishing resort locations.  Helena was completing her University tourist degree by researching different strategies in each country for attracting tourist anglers.  Her parents would have loved her for that.  They had been everywhere to all of the best trout rivers in the South Island, but they spotted and caught more in that one spot than their summer fishing trip throughout the entire South Island. After experiencing the excellent quality of our Tongariro trout fishing she was astonished that NZ Government, the fishery managers (DOC) and Taupo Council had not featured any trout fishing promotion in the prior ten years!

Perhaps even more remarkable was to hear how Jerry had funded all their touring and accommodation expenses for the previous year – by playing poker over the net.  How smart – we were flabbergasted. When he was questioned more closely, a few more beers later, he admitted his secret to winning at poker. It was all about bluffing. Jerry was already a ruined man having been a trout bum living the good life without the drudgery of the usual work habit. He had never worked since he left college. No wonder they didn’t want to reveal their secrets, but sixteen years later I hope it is allowed.

(From Jerry’s description, at how easy it was, the old man started plotting how he could bluff his way in his future swindle which was about to be unleashed on the NZ Government, to put Turangi on the tourist map forever. There had to be a sneaky way to do it with far bigger stakes… That plot is explained in the rest of the mockumentary Tongariro Skulduggery.)

TRM can never afford to make any assumptions when a couple of immature disorganised struggling student tourists arrive off the bus looking so helplessly loaded down with bags (see photo image).  Jerry & Helena proved they could out-fish most traditional Tongariro anglers by applying their own cunning unorthodox methods with extraordinary success.  And most importantly of all at their age, they have so much more fun doing it too.
What a wonderful lifestyle strategy combining study and work and a holiday combination for touring the world together, completing their courses, having such a great time, touring and fishing and getting paid for it.  Don’t you envy them?  Mind you, if you look closely, you might have noticed both Helena and Jerry were wearing lucky TRM hats to double their chances.  So they really couldn’t miss…