The most popular trout fishing pool in NZ – Tongariro River Bridge Pool at 4 November 2011.

Looking much the same a year later as at 8 June 2012.  A that time there was usually a queue of anglers lined up every morning below the bridge.

Ditto 30 May 2017 – little had changed.  It continued to be the highest producer of fresh run Rainbow trout in NZ.  It really had become a world famous pool for reliability and furious action during spawning runs.  It had everything going for it with easy access, parking nearby to the coffee cart, could accommodate up to 10 anglers at a time, could be fished from both sides, the trout could be seen waiting for anglers from the road bridge, etc.

Then in April 2018 the Waikato Regional Council arrived…  Anglers could not believe their eyes.

After digging a channel through the Hydro Pool they moved down river.  The first priority was to block off the TLB (true left bank) channel to create a quarry and they began stock piling the valuable shingle and metal. All the flow was concentrated down the right side which also ruined the casting in the lower Bridge Pool opposite the retaining wall.

Above image taken on Sunday 15 April with the river flowing at around 25 cumecs.

After overnight rain the flow increased to 45 cumecs by Monday and excavations continued.  After the photo was taken the river reached 82 cumecs later in the afternoon.  Anglers waited in nervous anticipation for nature to show who is really in control of the river environment…  Watch this space – we will keep you up to date.

Meanwhile…Big Smile, Big Fish.

River Birches guest Debbie Hurt shows off a 10.5lbs rainbow hen she caught & released Sunday morning.

Debbie and husband Steve Hurt who are both from Lubbock, Texas were guided by Graham Dean.

Debbie and Steve caught and released several rainbows near Turangi and are looking forward to continuing fishing the next couple of days.

School Holiday Activities:

Tongariro River, Kutai St Reserve Restoration Planting Day

Come along to this community conservation planting day and help restore this site. Meet at the end of Kutai Street, Tongariro River, Turangi at 9am.

Please bring gardening gloves, sturdy shoes, appropriate clothing, water and snacks. A BBQ for all planting volunteers will follow.

If you’d like to contribute or require further info please contact info@tongariro.org.nz 07 386 6499.