Fine weather, mild temperatures, beautiful scenery, no wind, no rain, no stress, easy wading, trout waiting, Tongariro flowing around 30 cumecs, just perfect. The bloke on the right was reeling his in. I had to wait for over a minute before he hooked up. So what did you do yesterday?

First photos above are of the lower Major Jones Pool yesterday afternoon. If you stand close to the bank wearing polaroids, trout can be spotted waiting for anglers. At least I think that is why they were there.

The other photos tell the same story at the mouth of the Hinemaiaia. Pure bliss.

TRM’s old smokehouse is back in action again. It needed a new element set up, etc. We forget how popular it is until it gets stressed out and fuses up.

A reminder that the TRM smokehouse is for guests use only. Sorry, another phone call request was rejected this morning, but we cannot provide a smoking service on demand for non-inmates as well. Salt and brown sugar etc. are all provided. Some inmates bring their own recipe of Canadian Maple syrup and 20 year old malt whiskey. The chips provided are either year old Manuka minced up or Red Oak chips – now nicely matured from the remains of the majestic registered protected tree that Taupo Council butchered across Taupahi Road about nine months ago. At least the wood is being used for a good purpose.

Note how the fillets at the top get smoked more than those at the bottom. Something to do with heat rising… Always load the top shelf first.

Australian fishos are leaving today with a big load of fillets vacuum-packed. They return every year for their Tongariro fix. They report this year has been very successful on all other rivers pumping as well, although the TT is suffering from excessive angler pressure – up to 12 cars in the carpark on most days.