Below is another regular TRM inmate, Paul Gandell, with TRM’s new guide Hannah, about to leave to tackle the upper Tongariro River Pools on Sunday morning.  What a beautiful fine still day for casting in those magic pools.  On days like this I need some guiding advice too – on how to escape from the laundry.Last season another of TRM’s regular West Island inmates warned SWMBO he missed Kiki’s tuition so much he was reluctant to return until we found a suitably worthy successor.

The sad photo on right is Ian weeping as he says farewell to Kiki.  Since then he has been very patient and finally we can now say with confidence his wait was worth it.

I am sure many other anglers have similar sentiments.  We thought Kiki was very special and knew it was going to be very difficult to find a worthy replacement.

After guests had been with Kiki they did not want to just go with another guide.  They did not want to leave.  She made me redundant.

TRM’s “rent a friend” tourist service was so enjoyable for inmates but, sadly, it had to end when Kiki went back to Sweden to finish her studies for her Environmental Engineering degree.

We hope Kiki’s wide PR tutoring experience here in Turangi was suitable to qualify for lots of ‘credits’.

During her time at TRM she became Taupo’s most popular sought after tour guide.

In addition to the obvious Tongariro River and Lake O trout fishing she guided TRM guests on the Tongariro Crossing, other remote wilderness trails such as Mt. Tihia, Waihaha, Pillars of Hercules, etc. biking the Tongariro River Trail, dog walking (you were warned), raft fishing the upper Tongariro River, and many other outdoor tourist activities operating out of TRM.

So now on to Kiki’s successor.  This time she is a genuine Kiwi – Hannah.  But how is she qualified to guide from TRM, I hear you ask?

She is just completing TRM’s intensive training course with a raft fishing trip on Lake O. and is now familiar with all our ‘secret’ Spot X pools on the Tongariro River.  But first we need to elaborate on her background experience to indicate the high standards that TRM inmates demand.

Hannah is a 20 year old student completing an outdoors activities instructors course at OPC (Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre) covering many of the activities that are usual holiday fun at TRM.

Her background experience includes surf lifesaving (volunteer and graduating to paid guard) to train new life guards at Raglan, beach education instructor and teaching canoe/kayak skills, outdoor camping, first aid courses, surfing, she has kayaked the Wanganui River, snow boarded from the summit of Mt. Ruapehu and many other outdoor adventure trips.

She has even worked in Summer Camps in USA as a counsellor at various camps teaching canoeing skills, swimming and kayaking.

In summary, Hannahs work experience is the ideal physical background to qualify for the ultimate most sought after position – TRM’s Tourist Guide.

TRM are delighted to announce she has passed (with distinction) all SWMBO’s knowledge tests for tourist activities categories.

Hannah has also trained as a rescue swimmer for the Westpac helicopter, although we trust those skills will not be needed for guiding on the Tongariro River.

She is also a keen snow boarder so will be available to accompany and tutor ski bunnies at Whakapapa and Turoa next winter.

TRM can now invite Ian Muntz (and Peter & George et al) back again with confidence  knowing they will have a suitably qualified tourist guide to entertain them.

So the photos are of Hannah taking a TRM inmate and ‘novice’ angler, Doug from Melbourne, 79 years young, out on Lake Otamangakau – our local trophy lake.

Doug has been a regular BOF (Boring Old Fart) at TRM for many years.  But he still complained.  In the last week he has fished Lake O with two very experienced anglers (Tony Bishop and Alan Appleton) but for some reason he has never enjoyed raft fishing on Lake O so much as last Saturday.

So if you have any reservations about Hannah’s abilities, or of being guided by such a young guide, ask Doug…

At top Hannah is demonstrating her technique for casting off a raft.

Other photos follow their progress.

I don’t know what happened out there but SWMBO was quick to notice that in the top photos I thought Doug was wearing the green jersey?

There were probably more anglers on Lake O on a fine still Saturday than on the Tongariro River.  We counted 12 cars at the boat ramp and 10 boats could be spotted spread all over the lake.  The fishing was hard as the canal has not been running for yonks.

So if you need a tour guide for anything and everything we do from our base camp at TRM then please book first.

Note that Hannah is only available on weekends.

(OK Ian?  Start packing Murray?) 

For the rest of the week she is guiding me.  Hannah’s guiding rates are very affordable – easily the best value in the Taupo region.

Apologies to other guides but there is no way they can match or compete with this TRM package deal.

Last time, when TRM appointed Kiki, we got into trouble.  One desperate guide even emailed complaining about unfair competition.  TRM was instructed not to use her again – and he was serious.  

(Guess who…)

Please note that due to demand for Hannah’s guiding on weekends we can only take bookings from guests.

Look out for young Doug – you cannot miss his yellow raft cruising Lake O.

Lake O has become his favourite NZ trout fishing location.

Ditto for many other anglers seeking trophy trout.

But any anglers considering TRM’s new guiding package should be warned – they didn’t return for about 6 hours…

Last we thought we should get ‘formal’ approval from TRM’s original tour guide – Kiki.

She had already noticed the early warning on TRM facebook  and expressed alarm and astonishment that she was being replaced.

I replied we were pleased to see she was still keeping an eye on TRM and she sent me an email:

Hi Ross,
Yes of course I keep an eye on what’s going on at the motel!

Always nice to see photos and read stories about how things are going.
Tomorrows report is a great read, Hannah seems like a lovely girl, I APPROVE! 🙂
Wishing you all the best and missing the wonderful time I spent with you at TRM.
Tight Lines
Kicki

Thanks Kiki.  She set the standard for guides from Tongariro River Motel.  I have no doubt Murray will report to you.