First we need to confess we cannot hope to match the efforts by Didymo Dave .  What extraordinary work he does on his ‘Waytoohardanui’ conservation projects.  Ditto on the Hine.  What a team effort.  He makes all us river users feel guilty and humble.

Once upon a time the local prisoners maintained all the Tongariro angler access tracks.  Then DOC took over…  I am not mocking them – they do an excellent job but are so under-resourced.  But on the Tongariro we do try.  Well some do…

After one of our TRM inmates returned from Duff’s (*) Pool after a dunking, we had to.  He had slipped in the creek before he had even found the pool.  (*Duff’s Pool naming history explained below)  Of course SWMBO blamed me for sending him there.  It is always my fault.

For the last couple of years the elderly frail laundry assistant at TRM has excavated these steps into the side creek.  The works specification was to make it easier and safer for TRM anglers to access ‘Duff’s’ Pool.

But now for the 2016 season the Duff’s Pool steps were worn away and becoming dangerous.

It was possible to slide down but almost impossible to get back up.  SWMBO could tell if anglers had been there by the mud on their knees.  Waders are not really suitable clothes for abseiling up and down steep slippery banks.

The steps needed a proper landscape designer.  And more muscle.  So we called up the A Team –  TRM’s fishing/biking/hiking buddy (not a guide – OK?) – to help out on all the heavy stuff.

Age has its privileges… but sometimes we are too old and slow to realise them.

Look at the Works Superintendent – Pumpkin – posing in the photo below.  What a show-off.

Next all we need is one of those sexy Waitahanui style anglers bridges across the side creek?

Now we wait to see if all the work was worthwhile with increased catches?

After excavating and maintaining the access steps, it is reasonable for any other non-TRM resident anglers to pay TRM a little ‘goodwill’ toll – after the first ten trips which are free.  (The usual toll is the traditionally bottled variety – i.e. Reisling?  Shiraz?  SWMBO is not fussy.  She doesn’t even drink alcohol.  It is just to keep Her laundry operating)

The voluntary fee is the same for those unfortunates reading all our daily reports/facebooks etc. and who never stay here.  Everyone knows there is no such thing as a free lunch.  TRM’s voluntary ‘subscriptions’ prove how many anglers appreciate our efforts.  Thank you to all generous contributors…

TRM do not expect Christmas cards from Government Departments i.e. Department of Conservation, or Councils i.e. Taupo District or Waikato Regional Councils, or other Corporates i.e. Genesis, as your donations are so valuable to give us the courage to pass on your endless complaints and questions to keep them honest…

(If you disagree with TRM’s subscription policy or do not enjoy these reports then that is fine, for the sake of your guilty conscience stop reading now.  There is no obligation of course…  We will watch with interest if there is any fall in ‘Googles’ readers analysis) 

Then just in time for this season, a willow blew over and blocked the track access as well – see photos.  Hannah also removed the willow that blocked the track entrance to the side stream.

(Thank you Hannah – show these images to your tutors at OPC – she is completing an instructor/guiding course at Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre – and earn some credits for community services?)

In anticipation of anglers’ questions (?) TRM inmates call it Duff’s Pool but you can call it whatever you like.

The original Duff’s Pool, on the map in Cooper’s book “POOLS OF THE TONGARIRO” mainly based on Morilleau’s map compiled in 1928, was closer to the road bridge.  Duff’s could also be called Toi Pool or Goats Pool or Log Pool based on similar historic references as the entire naming pattern has moved down river.  The WRC (Waikato Regional Council) flood prevention excavations and more recent canal down the TLB have destroyed much of the original river (and fishing opportunities) so you can call it whatever you like.  The original Duff’s was above the Log Pool and named after a Scottish angler who lived in Tokaanu at the beginning of last century.