In the nicest possible way, purely in the spirit of competition, TRM need to match that other Taupo place holding a fly fishing tournament on the same weekend – 29, 30, 31 August. To entice participants they have been showing off some of their therapeutical medicine on offer, so SWMBO is obliged to respond with some of TRM’s prizes..

i.e.  Quoted directly from the online promotion for the “other” place: After plenty of action on the water, Fly Fishing Eventers will have worked up quite a thirst and an appetite to match. There are some great treats in store back at the Lodge; with a Louis Roederer Champagne station, a ‘Highland Tasting’ of rare whiskies by Glenfiddich, as well as a ‘Tour de France Wine Dinner’. This unique event features a stunning menu inspired by the best of French cuisine, to complement a superb selection of French vintages. Starting in Champagne, your gastronomic and oenological travels will take you on an extraordinary journey from Burgundy to Alsace, through the Rhone Valley and finishing in Bordeaux! etc…

Wow! So TRM needs to try to match that. SWMBO’s (She Who Must Be Obeyed never drinks alcoholic or spiritual beverages, by the way, as I drink enough for both of us) tournament wine of choice is South Island Riesling. The other exquisite wines are prizes being all rare vintage (like SWMBO) so they are only suitable for cellaring. From the 1970’s selection are Montana Cold Duck (1971 vintage makes it 48 years old!) Orlando Barossa Pearl from the 1970’s, plus local Hawkes Bay Glenvale white and red sparkling Siebel from the same period. Perhaps these should be auctioned? The tournament at the other place may struggle to match the TRM Highland Tasting selection above which includes rare single malt medicinal spirits – including 12 to 21-year old Glenfiddich, 12 yr old Balvenie, 12 yr old Bannahabhain, 10 yr old Aberlour, etc… the usual Tongariro fly fisho selection, plus other gins and brandies of similar quality. All TRM participants will receive a Tongariro River bucket list map – “Fifty Pools to Fish before you die” and a lucky TRM hat.

We have already mentioned the unbeatable elegance and quality of TRM’s classic airport taxi which has been booked by participants fly in from overseas – West and South Islands. The premium fly rod prize is a 9′ 6wt Thomas & Thomas with BFR Dragonfly Cartridge reel. The fishing vests come from SIMMS in China and will be lucky dip prizes. Then there are all the latest fly fishing books – published by David McLellan – “Laird of the Flies”. That should be a sufficient start in the long prize list to get the juices flowing.

The celebrity MC for the prize-giving prefers to remain anonymous until the big night…