Can you recognise this fishy pool?  Read on…

Further to previous updates – more of a photo journey of anglers access and Tongariro River pools following the 700+ flood – we have finally ventured up above Red Hut.

10 January Town Pools i.e. Bridge to Hydro Pools

12 January Middle Pools i.e. Kamahi to Red Hut Pools

18 January Braids i.e. below Bridge Pool to Braids car park.

19 January Lower River – from Duffs to Reeds Pools.

22 January Lower Pools below Reeds

(The side track off Blue Pool access is much improved now)

If you are not familiar with the angler access tracks on the upper Tongariro then this report will be a bit meaningless.

Despite requests for updates from TRM inmates, the delay was intentional waiting for the flow to recover back to normal levels?  But we gave up waiting…

(The car park for TLB of Boulder Reach can now be safely accessed by standard 2WD family cars – previously recommended for only 4WD wagons)

These images were taken on 24 January when the river flow was still up around 40 cumecs – compared to more normal flows at around 27 cumecs.

So many of the changes to flows in the river are still not revealed.  I can say that a couple of sneaky no-name little runs between named pools, that were my special favourites, have been completely wiped out.

That is one of the most challenging aspects of this river.

(The walking track from the car park was washed out but is still “walkable” – but that is just at the start…)

After every flood we have to learn all over again.

Rather than just go to the same old favourite spot where you caught your last trout, we all have to learn how to read the water again to identify and locate possible probable likely trout homes.

(The over-flow bypass poured through like a hydraulic bulldozer – which may have stemmed from the original river course which contained such famous pools as the Breakaway – washed out the track – but this has unexpected benefits too)

I started last week by heading up river above Red Hut swing-bridge to Waddells Pool and up to the Poutu Pool.

 

(Turning left and following this wash-out leads to the lower reaches of the Poutu River.  So?  See below!)

I tried both left and right banks but have not provided any images as there were not enough significant changes to comment on.

 

(Looking up river on the Poutu Stream is a very promising new pool – you could almost smell the trout waiting for anglers…)

Again it is stressed that the river was still running high and some of these changes may not become apparent until low tide.

 

(Looking down river from the same spot on the Poutu River leading to the Tongariro River.  Previously this was only accessible by deep wading from the confluence.)

So this report is limited to the Poutu Pool.

 

(This is the mouth of the Poutu Stream where it flows into the Tongariro River.)

Rafters have commented they usually spot trout waiting at this deep pool but they are lying very deep – a heavier wet line might be successful?)

(Looking across the Poutu Pool up river)

Previously TRM have hardly ever reported on the Poutu River as angler access has been the problem.

 

(Below – looking down river towards the Poutu Pool with Poutu River confluence just visible on the left)

We know of fishing guides who have often been saved by the Poutu River reliability – producing trout on a hard day when the Tongariro may be flooded.  It has a steady more constant flow as it is controlled by a dam at the top above the waterfall from Lake Rotoaira.  The other well known pool accessed off SH1 confirms there are always trout in there all year.  The exposure of this additional access is one of the surprises from after the flood.  Often it can be as good as the Hine or Waytoohardanui.  OK?

(Looking up river indicates major changes with increased flow in the side channel from below Boulder Reach on left of photo – or on TRB – but this may pattern may change when the river resumes normal levels.)

In summary the recent 700+ cumec flood has improved anglers access and casting/fishing potential in this upper reaches of the Tongariro River….  What a marvelous river!

 

Below is Waddells Pool looking down river to Red Hut Bridge in the distance – photo from last week – appears to be still much the same as prior to the flood so no report needed – maybe missing due to the big brown I hooked in the foreground.  After a big leap he threw the hook…