Fishing has no age limit?  This is sooooo true!  That is just one of the wonderful aspects of trout fishing. 

TRM have several regular inmates in their “eighties” still able to cast a line successfully.  Their wading ability might be limited but with age they get cunning and soon find a pool that fits their physical ability.

TRM have been enjoying a wonderful season.  On the weekend we had individual anglers landing over 20 trout, losing just as many, and having such an enjoyable experience  – probably the best spawning season since we moved here in 2004.  This has encouraged a lot of “older” semi-retired anglers, who perhaps had lost confidence or given up on the Taupo/Tongariro fishery in recent years.  Now they have dusted off their old gear and returned to battle the spawning runs of Rainbow trout and having a ball. 

Their renewed enthusiasm for trout fishing is wonderful to see and so infectious on all the other younger aspiring fishos. 

Many ‘mature’ anglers return, like the character in the image above using a walking frame, needing some ‘outside assistance’.  So many have artificial ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, pacemakers, bags, whatever these days.  The older inmates are like war veterans in their wide range of disabilities.  They may no longer play golf or tennis or do the honky tonky but they can still fish.  They make up for any lost strength or fitness and skill ability with other just-as-important traits – patience and perseverance!  They may take longer to land a fish but I bet they never lose as many as younger impatient anglers.

This is also so important as therapy for our emotional and mental health too.  Just the extra physical exercise to get out there in the 100% pure environment justifies the effort.  Then to return proudly home with a ‘trophy trout’ makes it so worthwhile.  Their self respect and dignity is restored by satisfied feelings of accomplishment. 

Surely there is no other activity that can compete to reward its participants so richly.  But then, to be fair, some may imagine I am biased?

We are so fortunate on the Tongariro River there is so much variety with so many pools that they can still find a spot somewhere to access a riverbank and to safely cast a line.  Perhaps just as amazing, just as many trout are waiting there for them in the most unlikely places as those spots are often neglected being overlooked by others intent on wading out to target the seam of the main current. 

On the weekend we had the Auckland Fly Fishing Club and another regular group with members from the North Shore Club here as well.  On Saturday the river was packed – as busy as it gets.  The TT carpark was jammed full with about 12 -15 cars at times.  Even the crossing at the little Waiotaka River was full with six vehicles. 

But still everyone was catching (or losing!) fish.

On the Tongariro there is always somewhere available with easy access to have a flick.  You do not always have to walk far either.  In many places waders are only needed to keep warm and impress other fishos and frighten the trout. 

On Saturday one TRM inmate spent a frustrating hour cruising around all the upper river only to discover every pool occupied, so he returned to find the Major Jones Pool, in the middle of town, vacant.  I think he took home five. 

Yes, we concur, fishing has no age limit.  Thank you to Stephen who sent us the clipping. 

Following short video illustrates how one of TRM’s senior inmates overcomes the wading problem – better than a walking frame…