More feedback from TRM Report on Sunday re lack of anglers manners…

Hi Ross, There seems to be two sets of etiquette rules – one for the Bridge Pool and another for the rest of the river. At the Bridge Pool the fisherman  takes his position and stays glued to his spot with a rod either side sometimes less than 3 – 4 metres between them while the rest of the river the moving rule applies. I have found ” when in Rome do as Roman’s do ” even when etiquette should apply. Cheers T.

Now to change the subject from river rage to rod rage…

Image on right and post below pinched off facebook:

Rod Rage.

Cranking hard on the pedals as Kelli and me make our way down the mailbox road to the Henry’s Fork.

Great time of year in August on the Railroad Ranch when the crowds have dissipated and we get to fish big stretches of water in isolation and hunt down big fish feeding on terrestrials and spinners….

etc.

TRM bikes

Now you know why TRM have bikes specially equipped with rod tubes – so anglers do not have to try to physically carry their rods and steer at the same time – a recipe for disaster. 

These are not ‘mountain bikes’.  They are touring bikes with a completely different geometry having higher handle bars to enable riders to sit up on wide comfy seats and be able to see the sights.

They are heavier and safer to ride than mountain bikes with other extras such as pannier bags supported on back frames. 

Other extras include bike bells to warn trampers of your approach and special fish finders.  You might need to ask about those. 

Waders and lunch and fish bags etc. can be carried in the pannier bags.

Comparatively the mountain bike configuration is more about power and speed and riders end up hunched over looking at the ground, rather than ahead.

One of the problems on the Tongariro is that there are too many pools to choose from.  This is a problem other rivers would love to have. 

This often means the selected pools might be located about 1-2 km up the river – too far to walk or waddle in waders and by riding a bike makes access more achievable. 

The favourite pools only accessible from the TRB or eastern side are Kamahi, Cattle Rustlers, Barlows Reach and Silly Pools.

The Tongariro River trail is easy to ride – even I can manage it – between the swing bridges at the end of Koura Street or at Red Hut.  The northern end up to the SH1 road bridge has a more challenging steep hill although biking there to Judges Pool is hardly necessary.

Last, did we mention the hire cost?  FREE for inmates.  Wow!

And I did not even mention the bike trail to Taupo…  Watch this space.