Today the wet mist has moved in and at last the wind has gone.  But up until now this Spring has been one of the windiest we can remember.  (I have proof – I am typing this looking at two puncture wounds in my arm from my 2nd and 3rd casts yesterday…)

All the photos today feature Robbie & Maggie Cadogan from Auckland – TRM’s Lake O Champions for the last ten years.  That is a BIG claim and well deserved.

Since the start of October the number of ‘windless’ days have been rare.  Herbert from Austria has been here for over four weeks and only managed a few days on a calm river.

It has been frustrating for anglers aiming at Lake O in particular.  But as soon as the wind eased the Cadogan team got results.

Both landed BIG brown and rainbow trout on their first afternoon on one of those rare days when the wind eased.  Their perseverance after everyone else has gone home for ‘happy hour’ is remarkable.  They really deserve their catch.

But what we need to emphasise is the importance of adapting to the typical Spring windy conditions to advantage.  Everyday we have keen anglers rarin’ to go asking ‘which pool’?.  For the last month or so it has been not so much to do with ‘which’ pool is producing, but more about finding a sheltered spot out of the wind to suit your casting style.

When the wind is blowing down (or up, or across, or both, or all) the river the ‘wet liners’ definitely have an advantage with their heavier lines.  By defying windy conditions that should almost be classified as cheating and unfair to the rest of us.  But with the unrelenting blustery tiring conditions we can understand some inmates reluctantly going over to the dark side.

At this time of the year on the Tongariro there are trout in every pool.  True.  That was confirmed by Mike Hughes too.  Sometimes you may not believe it after thrashing the pool to a foam without a touch.  The proof is to wait for the evening rise – currently around 8.45 to 9.15 pm.  After wasting an hour proving there are no trout in so-and-so pool suddenly there are 20-30-40 popping the surface.  OK?

So instead of trying to pick a pool, the longer term TRM inmates realise it is more important to consider the weather conditions.  First, choose which side of the river suits you – i.e. right or left handed casting – then fine tune it by choosing the most sheltered spot.

When the wild wind prevents a natural glide or ‘dragless’ drift through the big classic pools where the trout have usually been spotted, then concentrate on the in-between ‘riffly runs’ where a natural drift is more determined by the faster choppy current.  Then any drag – forced by the wind – will not be noticeable. That is where the trout are feeding.

If we tried to analyse the more successful anglers over the last month or so, it is those that adjust to the conditions and adapt.  The riffles have been far more productive than the pools.

Wow – I think that was almost a real fishing report…  I should be more careful…

TRM maternity ward Update:

The resident TRM Quails have produced another family.

So all guests with dogs or cats are reminded we have a beautiful new ‘covey’ of quail strutting proudly around the back of the property.  They can usually be found busy feeding under the trees in behind the kids swings and trampoline, beyond the fish smoke-house and guest laundry.

So SWMBO has requested – please do not let your dog off the leash at TRM. 

They are best seen doing their thing in the evenings.

Pumpkin has been very well behaved and ignores them completely.

Next door’s cat Pud has now moved to Taupo so the Quail chicks should survive longer than last year.