The Tongariro ‘rocks’!  Congratulations to Scott Collins from Auckland for his two ‘keepers’ from the Tongariro River. 

Where I hear you ask – which pool?  The closest pool to TRM is the Bridge Pool…  The most popular pool on the river.  Easy walking distance..

When – On Sunday 23rd about 3 pm. with the river still flowing about 32-33 cumecs.   In the middle weekend of school holidays it had been crowded since day break and there were several other anglers thrashing the pool all day.

How – standard ‘truck & trailer’ rig – Hare & Copper bomb trailing a bead head Pheasant Tail flash back – which was his own special pattern.  So easy.  He was only casting a short distance to the edge of the current.  For three days fishing within walking distance (waddling in waders) from TRM he took nine smoked trout home and must have released about twice that number.

They are further evidence of what to expect when the real spawning runs start in winter.  The recreational release on Saturday triggered a small run but the big runs are still to come.  What wonderful conditioned trout!.  The Rainbow took about 15 minutes to land.   The Brown trout weighed in at 7.3 pound so you can guess the weight of the Rainbow.

TRM have never had so many reports – so early in the spawning season – of such well conditioned Rainbows, many over 5 pound, but we only heard about them after they were released or any photo opportunities were spoilt as they had been gutted. 

The old minimum size chart on TRM’s fish cleaning bench is 45 cm to keep our fishos honest. The actual minimum size is 40 cm but the rumour is that it is about to be reduced again to 35cm? 

Anglers have been asking for the new Tongariro River map – we regret the printing of the new revised “FIFTY POOLS TO FISH REFORE YOU DIE” map below has been delayed until DOC (Department of Conservation are the Taupo Fishery Managers) ‘officially’ announce the new minimum size and increased daily catch (to 6 ?).   Either the map was to be printed with the existing fishery regulations which areabout to become redundant, or print without any fishery regulations, or wait for the new regulations to become official.  So we are waiting…..

Man shed – the new SUV?