Numbering below is in response to TRM’s questions asked – i.e.
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…
(Photo on right of Kevin’s vehicle stuck on the anglers access returning from Blue Pool dreaming about trout and – Oops…)
Morning Ross,
1. Kevin Neil. Builder from Auckland.
2.Started fishing the Tongariro around 20 years ago with a mate who introduced me to the Taupo area. Started fishing the Lower river out to the delta. That was when there was plenty of overhanging trees and cover for the big Browns, wild goats and roaming cattle and a few of the locals chasing us when we cut through their land. All good memories.
3. The reason I started fishing and keep returning is, I used to enjoy hunting and find Trout fishing encompasses the whole package for me, hunting the fish out and the “take”.
I keep returning for a number of reasons, a sanctuary away from a busy working life, living in a big city.
Locals who I have forged a friendship over the years-yes you too Ross! The fishing of course, the environment.
4. The favourite pool is a tough one, probably the Cattle Rustlers for a couple of reasons. In the middle of summer a few years ago I was fishing with two other anglers and doing it hard. They were giving me heaps and to be honest I was distracted with work issues and all the anglers out there will know you have to have your focus on the fishing. We wandered up to the “Rustlers” and I left the guys at the tail and walked up to the head. Cast a few times in the head trying to avoid the swirl and get a reasonable drift without the line ending by my feet. The line stopped on a drift because I had snagged a log- called a 10 1/2 pound Brown. He’s now on the wall of my man cave!
Another time I was at the head with a mate casting his new Hardy Angel. I stripped out all the floating line and aerialised it and hit the bank at the far side of the head, true story. The look on his face was priceless!- Malcolm.
5. The most forgettable or unforgettable Tongariro incident- many would be the correct answer. From solitary long walks chasing fish at the delta, to rafting the upper Tongariro with the family. The fauna, native birds, Whio. Helping out the odd tourist to hook and land a fish. Nearly swept down the river while crossing back over from my spot after the water levels rose after a release at the dam.
6.The best Tongariro achievement? I could mention fish numbers, I’m sure all the regulars have had their good days but just being on the river, meeting anglers from around the world, knowing they have travelled halfway around the world to be here while the resource is on our doorstep.
7. What I like most about the Tongariro is for all the reasons above and every trip is different. Either the people you meet, the pools you fish or the adventures you have which you didn’t expect. Also introducing my two young blokes to the Tongariro. Long may they fish!
8. The first fishing method I learned and still the favourite is nymphing. There’s something about a long cast unfolding straight out and landing exactly where you want it to drift, bobbing down just off the main current line.
9. The favourite Tongariro fishing trip? Way to numerous, every time I drive over the Bombay hills heading South.
Actually one trip down springs to mind…. Two young ladies in a spa pool late at night… See Ross Baker for details!
Cheers..
Kevin.
(Ross replies – Do not blame me! I don’t remember anything… This series was supposed to be about fishing the Tongariro! What happens on tour stays on tour. But I wish I had taken my camera…)
