What a beautiful place to pop the question!  A true love story…  (Get the tissues ready.)

TRM’s scribe almost felt guilty witnessing such a moment.

Not even fly fishing or Womans Weekly could compete with such a special sentimental occasion.

It happened last Friday that I was returning from a bike ride – after fishing my secret never-fail pool (? where despite perfectly timed casting and lightening fast relexes, I failed!) – feeling a bit sorry for myself as I had a h&c ‘bomb’ firmly embedded in my arm.  It was buried in the soft fleshy part where I could not remove it myself.  I was dreading asking SWMBO to remove it, so was looking out for an angler who would have more sympathy and understanding with my predicament. 

So I ambushed Jeff on the Koura Street swing-bridge and asked him to test his surgery skills with a rusty old pair of pliers – having no idea he was nervously rehearsing his proposal.  He was such a skillful surgeon I did not even feel it. 

Then we got chatting as anglers do and he confessed why he was there – ‘mustering his courage’ to pop the question…. 

So why the fishing vest?  It was all part of his act – disguising his true intentions for Brigid. 

For once all Tongariro fishos agree – Jeff could not have chosen a more attractive romantic spot in the world to pop the question…

A world famous river emerging from canyons out of Middle Earth to form a beautiful natural trout spawning river with the flow varying from bouncy riffles and wide glides merging to shape aggressive rapids separating the deep dark pools where big boulders split the current to create perfect big trout holding water…  A national treasure.  View videos below.

Every time I venture up the Tongariro I fall in love too.  Other fly fishing anglers could not help but fall in love in such surroundings.  Just perfect.

Jeff wrote:

Hi Ross,

I’m pleased to say that Brigid said ‘YES’

I’ve enclosed a couple of photos as promised.

It was very nice to meet you on the big day as I was mustering my courage ‘midstream’ on the Tongariro so to speak.

I only caught (and released )one rainbow on this trip but
landed a keeper of a wife-to-be.

Brigid and I both look forward to our next visit to Turangi, hopefully over Christmas and will call in to say hello if you are in town.

All the best,

Jeff

PS Sorry that it took me two goes to get the hook out of your arm !
( I was somewhat distracted rehearsing my lines.)

All Tongariro fishos congratulate Jeff and Brigid and wish them all the best for their future.