SWMBO was wondering why TRM had six units were booked up for a week or so at the start of September. Then She noticed they were all bookings from overseas – West Islanders. What a coincidence! Most of them previously visited for a couple of weeks during February but appear to have reorganised their annual trip schedule to September. This may be simply desperation to compensate for not being able to access NZ’s finest trout fishery over the covid closed down period or are they changing their strategy?
Lake Otamangakau, the trophy lake for this Taupo region, is opening a month early as the fishery managers, DOC (Department of Conservation), will be closing it for fishing in February 2023. This is a conservation measure as their strategy is that global warming programme combined with the shallow lake temperatures could threaten trout which are being released by anglers. Nobody has interviewed the trout yet.
February is traditionally TRM’s busiest month for dry-fly fishos hunting BIG brown trout in local rivers so closing Lake O might relieve the angler pressure for accommodation in February for river fishos. Or will it increase as the Lake O anglers could all be fishing the other lakes such as Taupo, Rotoaira or Kuratau? SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed is the Manager of the motel) will report the results in March.
So this is just another reminder that Lake Otamangakau will be open a month early on Thursday, 1st September. TRM have rafts designed for Lake O. Have a squiz at the brief video below to see how simple they are.
They fit in any rental car boot, they are inflated by a pump-fed off the car battery, they are light enough to be walked to the launching ramp, they are easily rowed and highly maneuverable, the seat has an inflatable back-rest – so important together with the foot strap to use as a brace making it more comfortable for hauling in BIG trout, the oars are attached, stripping apron attached, foot fins available, if I say anymore I will have to send a bill to INCEPT at Taihape for promoting them! Their promo is below… There is usually a wide variety of catamaran-style watercraft but for simplicity of use and transport, they are the ideal Lake O raft.
Water Strider™ Raft Kickboats are tough, compact, ultra-packable inflatable rafts for fishing, hunting and white-water. The Water Strider is a brilliant back-packable one-person raft on any river or lake. This is expedition river rafting equipment packed with possibilities for fishing and adventure.
Water Strider’s open floor design let’s you sit on the air ride seat to propel and steer the boat with fins on your feet while you keep both hands free for casting and landing fish.
In shallow water you can stand up and wade while the Water Strider floats around you and supports you. There’s no better way to fish! Lift your feet onto the footrest, pick up the oars and row. On rivers you pull against the current to slow the boat and gain control in rapids. It is simply amazing how well this boat navigates the most technical and rocky rivers. Makes a good hunting boat, too. Carry loads both behind and in front of you.
INCEPT inflatable Water Striders® pack into light, compact airline baggage including oars, backrest, stripping apron and pump – with room in the carry bag for fins, waders and more. You can take your boat with you any place in the world and have the comfort of your own familiar boat on new and unfamiliar waters.