This is a sensitive feel-good story. It could make you cry. It is almost unbelievable. It is all true.
Some time ago TRM were on the ‘bludge’ for old fishing gear. The number of fly fishing virgins – novices – that stay here increases every season and as SWMBO is far too kind and generous, TRM invariably assists with lending out gear – in particular fishing rods.
Unfortunately the rods often get broken – hardly ever broken from ‘casting’ aka waving a stick in the air from 10am to 2 pm – but by being sat on or trodden on or jammed in the electric car windows or falling off the car roof or crushed when they slipped over, or just broke? etc.
Mainly they fall into two categories.
(1) Often these are strangely reluctant kids whose mothers have finally convinced them that play station is not a sport; or
(2) Increasingly many older folk bored out of their tree as they retired without any retirement plan and are desperately seeking a new recreational sport/hobby/activity to get them up in the morning to focus on.
They make the rest of us anglers feel so fortunate that somehow we discovered the many joys of fresh water (i.e. in pristine rivers) fly fishing early enough in life to appreciate it and love it forever.
But back to the rod breakages… When people are not used to wading and talking at the same time whilst handling such an awkward delicate (expensive) dangerous pole over rough stony terrain in swirling river currents, the rod fatalities are much higher.
Meanwhile many experienced anglers eventually graduated to refine their fly fishing style and invest (never ‘buy’) in another rod, making their old model obsolete – SWMBO has heard many reasons: i.e.
In an attempt to improve their casting accuracy and distance,
or so often – so they claim – because the better half keeps buying them another new rod for their birthday (?),
or when their shoulder strain demands the old heavy 8 wt gets replaced by a lighter 6 wt,
or when they cannot fit any more rods in their car,
or because their fishing mate is constantly reminding them how much more successful he is with a different rod,
or to complete their arsenal they have to have a 5 wt, 6 wt, 7wt, 8 wt, in 9 foot, 9 foot 6 inch, 10 foot, spey, 2 piece, 3 piece, & 4 piece configurations…
or when they give up wet lining to become a real dry fly angler (?),
or there does not have to be any logical or explainable reason at all as they are fishermen…
Anyway, TRM needed rod replacements to encourage and assist in the introduction of more novices into a new career – fly fishing the Tongariro.
Whatever the reason many older supposedly obsolete fly rods are often retired to a dusty corner and forgotten about. That is why TRM asked if any inmates could clean out their garages and donate any unused weaponry to contribute to keep our supply available for novices to destroy (?).
The photo above shows the response from some West Island inmates. They – Ian Muntz & Peter Morrison – have now been promoted by SWMBO to “BOF” (Boring Old Farts) status whereby they enjoy many exceptional (but unspecified) benefits at TRM. Ian & Peter from Melbourne arrived on their annual pilgrimage for 2016 with four rods and a set of waders (which Hannah is now modelling!).
Many thanks guys.
Just in case you wonder who Ian is we repeat his bio details on his ‘love’ for the Tongariro – originally posted on 17 January…
(Only BOF’s get a repeat performance…)
Tongariro Fisho’s tale
The number references in his story relate to the questions asked by TRM – i.e. TRM have asked everyone the same line of questions – they are not compulsory – as a guide only:
QUESTIONS:
1 Name, brief background, where do you live. age, etc.?
2 When and where did you start fishing the Tongariro?
3 What was your reason to start and keep returning to the Tongariro?
4 Which is your favourite pool? Why?
5 Your most forgettable and/or unforgettable Tongariro incident?
6 Your best Tongariro achievement?
7 What do you like most about the Tongariro?
8 Which is your favourite fishing style – dry? nymph? streamer?
9 Your favourite Tongariro fly fishing trip?
10 Anything else would you like to add? Please include photos…
……………………………………………………………………………
Ian’s response:
1 Ian Muntz retired ex fireie from Melbourne victoria aged 65 ,
fishing mates Peter( Captain Snooze) Morrison and Geoff (take me to lake O ) George.
2 Started fishing the tongariro and surrounds around 2000,after getting sick of the abysmal fishing in our home state Vic and NSW.
3.We fell in love with the place from day 1 we had been coming over for several years and staying in different batches around the town,the green house ,one close by which we nearly burnt down .kutai lodge
We were staying at kutai lodge when one day we had ventured down to the judges pool at that stage one of our favourite pools. when we came across a big ugly boxer trying to devour a rotten possum.
Being a bit concerned of his welfare we dragged him off when his owner a distinguished gent popped his head over the levee bank and claimed his dog as history now shows the dog was none other than Boof and his owner Ross
After some conversation and the obligatory photo ross asked where we were staying and would we be interested in checking out his fine establishment TRM of course we said we were up for anything. We have been there ever since sometimes two and three times a year.
The reason we keep coming back to TRM is probably the hosts Ross and Pip( hint maybe time for a lowering of the accommodation fees) they can never do enough to help and make a fortnight stay pass with lightning speed .
4 Favourite pool is the big hole over the hill (lake O). The pools have all changed from when we first started coming that is hard to pick which is our favourite I will say anything from the fence pool to the bottom of graces road Also the TT holds a special place in our hearts.
5 Probably the most unforgettable TRM moment was the night we gave Kiki a send off (See photos at top).
6 There have been good and bad trips fishing wise but that’s what keeps bringing us back time after time Ross always has 1 or 2 in the freezer so we have never gone home empty handed
7 We mainly fish nymph, don’t get much of a chance to use dry’s – normally we fish the spawn in the colder months
8 The favourite trip has been all of them
9 I’m sure Ross will have 1 or 2 photos which he will include
10 One of my biggest personal regrets is missing out on a couple of trips one especially sticks in my craw was when the boys featured in a photo presentation on lake O which is still shown today (a bit dated I think Ross) – the cheeky buggers took their own photographer. (See photos on right and below)
11 All jokes aside we have met and fished with some great characters (didn’t forget you Stu) through spending the last 7 to 8 years at TRM.
Being animal lovers we have over the years adopted , as I am sure most inmates have – Boof – God rest his soul a beautiful friend – and Pumpkin – can be a bitch at times and even next door’s cat puddy made no 4 her home for 2 weeks last time we visited – cost us a fortune in milk and cat food. We were never able to entice Kiki – maybe she was too smart.
All in all a great place one of which I am sure we will spend many more trips at, if Ross and Pip will have us
