TRM (Tongariro River Motel) has been hit recently by a crime wave.  It is a crisis.  Could it be a serial thief?   Staff report thefts of Didymo bottles in broad daylight from all units.

In the past ten years, since Didymo was discovered in the South Island, SWMBO was worried She had failed to encourage anglers to use these spray bottles between rivers.  She had even apologised to Brenda – DOC’s Didymo warrior.  So when seven bottles went missing in one week from where they hang up on display in front of the units, SWMBO was absolutely delighted.

At last they were being recognised and being used correctly?.

TRM do not mind anglers pinching them if they are being used to clean and dry their boots and wet fishing gear between rivers.

But no – She was mistaken (very rare for SWMBO to be wrong…)  which brings us on to the motive of the thieves.

Would you believe the problem was – Bees?

Recently an American company has wisely chosen Turangi to develop a honey processing plant.

As part of this expansion programme, to exploit all the native Manuka, the number of hives on the Central plateau region has been increased recently to about 1500 or so.  Well SWMBO is certain they are responsible…

Every new guest arriving from the South via the Desert Road SH1 or from Whakapapa via SH41, discovered on arrival their car looked like it had the measles having been pelted by thousands of nectar laden bees.

So how do sneaky TRM fisho inmates clean their windscreens to remove bees and sometimes clean their entire car?  You guessed it…

In Turangi we are so fortunate in having such good relations with DOC’s Didymo team, led by the wonderful indefatigable enthusiastic Brenda, to make sure all anglers are aware of the “CHECK CLEAN DRY” message.  SWMBO may need to collect some more bottles on her next visit to Taupo.  (They should charge them up to the honey company?)  It is so important to keep reminding all water users  – not just fly fishos but all rafters, canoeists, boaties of all description, to be aware of the threat.

As indicated below, all of TRM’s fleet of bikes are used as mobile Didymo awareness adverts plastered with DOC’s stickers to remind anglers up and down the Tongariro River Trail.

Below are SWMBO’s flowers to feed the bees…