What is the most unusual fly you have used to hook (and land!) a Tongariro trout?
Novice anglers often return with some of the most extraordinary gear set-ups you can imagine. Sometimes we might have to bite our tongue before we question if they are legal, but in most cases the unique design results from wonderful blissful ignorance of the rules. They stretch DOC’s specifications for the Tongariro River which is supposed to be for “fly” fishing only – the Department of Conservation manage the Taupo Fishery and make up the rules.
But like many of our local definitions, words can have many meanings. A “fly” can be interpreted in many strange guises.
Recently we discovered some kids applying the proposed new rules for the lower TT (Tauaranga-Taupo) River where the authorities – DOC – the Taupo Fishery Managers – have announced they are considering introducing spin fishing below the SH1 road bridge. These kids were just testing the water in anticipation, to see if spinning was posible.
Another elderly fisho who was discovered with a big surf casting rod heaving out a heavy spinner armed with an illegal deadly triple hook above the Admiral’s Pool. He argued that as long as it flies, it qualified. How could I argue with that? He was also bigger than me.
To remain friends, I tried to describe to him “Billy’s Dream” – one of the most unusual flies (?) recorded for posterity in that epic book “TONGARIRO Skulduggery”.
He could not allow any photos of his face in case he might be recognised by the old ladies in his retirement village.
A previous TRM blog on Billy is below:
Billy’s Dream still does the business…
Bill Hawkins is one of our more “mature” anglers at 84 years young (in 2017). He last featured in a TRM Daily report about 2010 so it is time for an update.
At this time of the year (February) there is always considerable debate and anguish with river fishos over what to use? As the surrounding bush orchestra is a resounding buzz punctuated with loud clicks, it would suggest a cicada pattern – usually with a little dropper dangling below. On Friday in the upper river another TRM inmate enjoyed his first two hits on the cicada and the next four on the dropper. Then others like Paul Gandell had no takes on the dry so switched over to traditional weighted nymphing rig and immediately hooked up…
No one has interviewed the trout on their preferences yet. Everyone is usually eventually successful – that is what the Tongariro fishing is all about.
Then we have the Bill Hawkins’ unique style. It doesn’t matter to Bill which pool or month or where the moon is or isn’t, as he has his own special trout rig which he has used successfully for the last 70+ years. Nobody could argue with that track record. So why change?
Similarly you will notice Bill’s custom designed pack – the traditional pikau sugar sack to carry the trout back. He has to be a marketing challenging nightmare for fishing tackle shops.
Simplicity is his key – All he ever uses is a long shank snapper sized hook with a piece of wool about one inch long (Bill hasn’t had time to convert to metrics yet) dangling off it. He calls this “fly” Billy’s Dream. Due to the physical limitations of old age, he does not do any fancy high-sticking roll casting or mending or Euro casting or delicate presentation or any of that modern stuff. Supported by a long, heavy pole, he wades into the nearest pool. He flicks enough line out and then just wriggles his weighted whitebait imitation until it drives the trout insane and they have to attack it. He usually goes to the nearest pool to TRM (hint, hint) and fishes in riffles where others don’t bother. He makes it all so simple, he is dangerous.
So the images are Bill showing his style with his granddaughter Ingrid, to do the heavy netting and lifting work on the net. On a busy weekend when others were struggling Bill casually returned with his limit. Congratulations Bill – the other inmates were amazed.
Great images thanks to his son, Tony Hawkins. Tony wrote: ” … An avid wet line angler who prefers to let the rapids do the work with his trusty Blue Dolphin reel, hand made landing net and his hunting pikau – it’s all about fishing and having a good time. Thanks Ross for your help and hospitality, a great weekend Dad won’t forget.”
