To continue our survey of the upper Tongariro River after the two 700+ floods recently, we had to wait for the river level to recover and a beautiful fine day to explore.

From the Red Hut carpark we crossed the swing bridge and turned up river to follow the bypass along the banks above Boulder Reach.

We originally intended to have a squiz at the Poutu Pool but needed waders across the still flooded bypass.

The above photo of the steps down to the river are to show tourists the steep shaded bank which is Turangi’s answer to Waitomo Caves as it is covered in glow-worms to light up the steps at night. Personally I have to admit I have never been up there early or late enough to see them but have it on good report from tourists…

Initially we hoped to explore the TRB up to the Poutu Pool which required a tricky side stream crossing over the bypass above Waddells Pool. It may be a good time for DOC to review their “health and safety standards” for this access bridge – see photos. A handrail for older fishos is needed. It is surprising it survived the floods at all.

Another side stream crossing was too deep for my “red bands”, so we tramped up the other longer option up the TRB towards the Fan and Boulder Pools.

We spotted trout in almost every place we stopped. From the high cliff above the bypass we counted 10-12 trout cruising around tentatively eyeing-up each other. They are so well camoflaged in the photo above that you cannot see them at all…

The photos below should illustrate the wild environment up there. Despite being flooded, we were relieved to see that the walking-only (no bikes!) anglers’ access track has not been demolished.

For anglers who have a different sense of enjoyment from usual tourists, the more remote scenery upriver is spectacular, but it is probably too far for most weekend warriors to attempt. The lure of walking past such easily accessible pools at Red Hut is too difficult, but the rewards are worthwhile.

As soon as we arrived up at Boulder Reach two anglers on the opposite TLB obliged by hooking up – see photo below.

The last photo below was supposed to feature Mt. Doom peeping above the trees… but we failed.