Yesterday TRM Daily Report posted the annual reminder on “etiquette” essential on the Tongariro River for everyone to have an enjoyable time with everyone being fair about access and wading with consideration to others who might have started fishing ahead of them.

It didn’t take long for a complaint.  Yesterday a South Island angler arrived at Boulder Reach TLB and started nymphing up towards the head of the pool.  He worked his way about halfway up the run when a guide arrived with a couple who waded in ahead of him into the head of the pool. 

Fortunately the angler kept his cool and packed up and moved to another pool where he did very very well – probably better than at Boulder Reach. Perhaps we should name the guide but he knows his impatience was wrong (and we get into enough trouble as it is by mentioning this at all)… 

Over a strong cup of tea we managed to placate our upset inmate by sending him to a better spot today (see below).  Understandably, he was really annoyed.  Usually he would have reminded the guide of his rude behaviour in no uncertain terms but held back out of courtesy for his clients who may not have been aware of the usual format. 

But next time perhaps we should name and shame him.  OK?  What do you think?

It was not as though the river was crowded.  We did our usual bike circuit between the bridges particularly to count the number of trout holding in the obvious pools.  The numbers easily seen from the elevated lookout spots went something like this (some pools not mentioned because nothing was seen although that does not mean trout were not there but just that I couldn’t spot them) :

Below Major Jones – 3

Cicada Pool – 12

Duchess Pool – 15

Red Hut – 2

Cattle Rustlers – 6

Admirals – 18

The biggest count was in an easily accessed shallow no-name run where at least 30 were seen rising.  We made sure the upset TRM angler will be there this morning to make up for the guide’s arrogance spoiling his fishing yesterday.

Some of the major pools are below – can you pick them?